Altair 8800: Difference between revisions

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The '''Altair 8800''' from MITS (Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems) was the first mass-produced [[personal computer]] to be openly available. It was introduced in January, 1975, as a kit; later, pre-assembled units were made available.
The '''Altair 8800''' from [[Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems]] (MITS) was the first mass-produced [[personal computer]] to be openly available. It was introduced in January, 1975, as a kit; later, pre-assembled units were made available.


It was a [[microcomputer]], built around an [[Intel 8080]] [[microprocessor]]. The early 8800's were unreliable, and had a weak [[power supply]]; the later 8800a was better, but it was only with the 8800b that it became really reliable. It originally came with no [[peripheral]]s, just a [[front panel]]; later, a variety of optional add-on units, including a [[floppy disk]] drive, were made available.
It was a [[microcomputer]], built around an [[Intel 8080]] [[microprocessor]]. The early 8800's were unreliable, and had a weak [[power supply]]; the later 8800a was better, but it was only with the 8800b that it became really reliable. It originally came with no [[peripheral]]s, just a [[front panel]]; later, a variety of optional add-on units, including a [[floppy disk]] drive, were made available.
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It is famous for being the machine that got [[Bill Gates]] and [[Paul Allen]] started; MITS did a deal with them to write a [[BASIC]] [[interpreter]] for it (Allen was actually hired as a MITS employee).
It is famous for being the machine that got [[Bill Gates]] and [[Paul Allen]] started; MITS did a deal with them to write a [[BASIC]] [[interpreter]] for it (Allen was actually hired as a MITS employee).


The Altair 8800 was implemented as a set of cards (a [[Central Processing Unit|CPU]] card, a [[main memory]] card, optional [[serial line]] or [[disk]] [[device controller|controller]] cards, etc) connected by a [[bus]] on a 100-pin [[backplane]]. Both MITS and third-party companies produced cards using this bus; this 100-pin Altair bus led to the standardization of the [[S-100]] bus, which is very similar, but not 100% compatible.
The Altair 8800 was implemented as a set of [[printed circuit board]]s (a [[Central Processing Unit|CPU]] card; a [[main memory]] card; optional [[serial line]] or [[disk]] [[device controller|controller]] cards; etc) connected by a [[bus]] on a 100-pin [[backplane]]. Both MITS and third-party companies produced cards using this bus; this 100-pin Altair bus led to the standardization of the [[S-100]] bus, which is very similar, but not 100% compatible.


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==Further reading==
* Gordon Laing, [https://www.cameralabs.com/digitalretro/ ''Digital Retro: The Evolution and Design of the Personal Computer''], Sybex, Alameda, 2004
* Michael Nadeau, ''Collectible Microcomputers'' (Schiffer Book for Collectors), Schiffer, Atglen, 2002
* Mark Richards; John Alderman, ''Core Memory: A Visual Survey of Vintage Computers'', Chronicle, San Francisco, 2007


==External links==
==External links==
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** [http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/mits/8800/Altair_PriceList_19750401.pdf MITS Altair Price List]
** [http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/mits/8800/Altair_PriceList_19750401.pdf MITS Altair Price List]
* [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6495019 MITS Altair 8800 microcomputer] - one from [[Paul Allen]]'s collection at the [[Living Computer Museum|LCM]], includes several images
* [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6495019 MITS Altair 8800 microcomputer] - one from [[Paul Allen]]'s collection at the [[Living Computer Museum|LCM]], includes several images
* [https://onlineonly.christies.com/s/firsts-history-computing-paul-g-allen-collection/mits-altair-8800b-microcomputer-131/230069 MITS Altair 8800B microcomputer] - another one from Allen's collection


[[Category: 8-bit Personal Computers]]
[[Category: 8-bit Personal Computers]]

Latest revision as of 10:31, 27 September 2026

The Altair 8800 from Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems (MITS) was the first mass-produced personal computer to be openly available. It was introduced in January, 1975, as a kit; later, pre-assembled units were made available.

It was a microcomputer, built around an Intel 8080 microprocessor. The early 8800's were unreliable, and had a weak power supply; the later 8800a was better, but it was only with the 8800b that it became really reliable. It originally came with no peripherals, just a front panel; later, a variety of optional add-on units, including a floppy disk drive, were made available.

It is famous for being the machine that got Bill Gates and Paul Allen started; MITS did a deal with them to write a BASIC interpreter for it (Allen was actually hired as a MITS employee).

The Altair 8800 was implemented as a set of printed circuit boards (a CPU card; a main memory card; optional serial line or disk controller cards; etc) connected by a bus on a 100-pin backplane. Both MITS and third-party companies produced cards using this bus; this 100-pin Altair bus led to the standardization of the S-100 bus, which is very similar, but not 100% compatible.

Further reading

External links

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