Altair 8800: Difference between revisions
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The '''Altair 8800''' from | 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 | 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== | ==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 | * 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== | ||
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
- Gordon Laing, 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
- 8800 - documentation at Bitsavers
- MITS Altair 8800 microcomputer - one from Paul Allen's collection at the LCM, includes several images
- MITS Altair 8800B microcomputer - another one from Allen's collection
