Apple III

Apple III was a personal computer designed and manufactured by Apple Inc. and released in 1980. The computer was intended to be a more business-oriented alternative to the Apple II, with a focus on IBM compatibility and a more professional design. The Apple III was designed by Wozniak and Rod Holt, and it was one of the first computers to popularize the use of Microsoft BASIC and CP/M. The computer was also compatible with VisiCalc, a popular spreadsheet program developed by Software Arts.

Introduction

The Apple III was announced by Steve Jobs and Mike Markkula at the National Computer Conference in 1980, and it was released to the public in July of that year. The computer was designed to be a more professional alternative to the Apple II, with a focus on business applications and a more robust design. The Apple III was also compatible with a range of software applications, including WordStar, dBase II, and Multiplan. The computer was widely reviewed by Byte magazine, PC Magazine, and InfoWorld, and it was praised for its performance and compatibility.

History

The development of the Apple III began in 1978, when Apple Inc. started working on a new computer that would be more business-oriented than the Apple II. The computer was designed by a team led by Wozniak and Rod Holt, and it was influenced by the design of the IBM PC. The Apple III was released in 1980, and it was initially priced at $4,340 for the base model. The computer was widely adopted by businesses and organizations, including NASA, IBM, and Xerox. The Apple III was also used by a range of notable individuals, including Bill Gates, Steve Wozniak, and John Sculley.

Design_and_Architecture

The Apple III was designed with a focus on compatibility and expandability, and it featured a range of innovative design elements, including a SASI interface and a floppy disk drive. The computer was based on the MOS Technology 6502 processor, and it featured 128 KB of RAM and a range of expansion slots. The Apple III was also compatible with a range of peripherals, including printers from Epson and HP, and modems from Hayes and USRobotics. The computer's design was influenced by the work of Xerox PARC, and it featured a range of innovative user interface elements, including a mouse and a graphical user interface.

Technical_Specifications

The Apple III featured a range of technical specifications, including a MOS Technology 6502 processor running at 2 MHz, 128 KB of RAM, and a range of expansion slots. The computer also featured a SASI interface, a floppy disk drive, and a range of peripherals, including printers and modems. The Apple III was compatible with a range of software applications, including Microsoft BASIC, CP/M, and VisiCalc. The computer's technical specifications were widely praised by Byte magazine, PC Magazine, and InfoWorld, and it was considered to be one of the most powerful and flexible computers of its time.

Impact_and_Legacy

The Apple III had a significant impact on the development of the personal computer industry, and it played a major role in establishing Apple Inc. as a major player in the market. The computer's focus on compatibility and expandability helped to establish the IBM PC as a standard for the industry, and its innovative design elements, such as the SASI interface and the floppy disk drive, became widely adopted by other manufacturers. The Apple III was also widely used by a range of notable individuals, including Bill Gates, Steve Wozniak, and John Sculley, and it played a major role in the development of the software industry. The computer's legacy can be seen in the design of later computers, including the Macintosh 128k and the IBM PC/AT.

Models_and_Variations

The Apple III was released in a range of models and variations, including the Apple III, the Apple III Plus, and the Apple IIIe. The Apple III Plus was released in 1983, and it featured a range of improvements, including increased RAM and a more robust design. The Apple IIIe was released in 1984, and it featured a range of innovative design elements, including a keyboard and a mouse. The Apple III was also compatible with a range of peripherals, including printers from Epson and HP, and modems from Hayes and USRobotics. The computer's models and variations were widely reviewed by Byte magazine, PC Magazine, and InfoWorld, and they were praised for their performance and compatibility. The Apple III was used by a range of organizations, including NASA, IBM, and Xerox, and it was also used by a range of notable individuals, including Bill Gates, Steve Wozniak, and John Sculley.

Category:Apple Inc.