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The Apple Macintosh was the first all-in-one desktop computer to offer a built-in screen, GUI, and a mouse. » Introducing Apple Computers

  • Apple Lisa
  • Macintosh 128K

Macintosh 128K

  • Apple II GS

Apple II GS

  • Macintosh LC

Macintosh LC

  • Color Classic

Color Classic

  • iMac G3

     

> The 8-bit Legacy

There was a lot of competition in the 80s home computing market.. and competition leads to innovation..

The home computing market of the 1980s was fiercely competitive.. And strong competition is the father of innovation. » 8-bit Legacy

□ Zilog-based (Z80)

  • Sinclair's Z80, Z81, and ZX Spectrums
  • Amstrad 464, 664, and 6128 CPC
  • Commodore 128 (2nd CPU)
  • MSX/MSX2 computers
  • TRS-80 Model
  • Jupiter Ace
  • SAM Coupe
  • Enterprise

□ MOS-based (6502/6510)

  • Apple 8-bit (Apple II and III)
  • Commodore 8-bit (PET, VIC, 16, Plus/4, C64, and C128)
  • Acorn 8-bit (Master, Atom, BBC, and Electron)
  • Atari 8-bit (400, 800, XL, and XE)
  • Oric 1, Atmos, and Telestrat

□ Motorolla-based (6809/68008)

  • TRS‑80 Color Computer
  • Thomson Computers
  • Sinclair QL

 

□ Legendary 8-bit Models

» Amstrad CPC

The rare CPC664

» C64 | » C128

C64

» ZX Spectrum

ZX Spectrum

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The Power of Vintage

Atari Mega

The Business Line of Atari ST Computers: Mega ST Series

Atari Mega ST and Hard Disk

Released in 1986, the Atari Mega ST was a powerful 16-bit personal computer aimed at the business market. The Mega ST gained popularity in desktop publishing (DTP), CAD, and MIDI music production, and sold especially well in Germany. The Mega ST line paired seamlessly with Atari’s laser printers, making it one of the most cost-effective DTP solutions of its time.

  • Launch Price: $1,199 (equivalent to ~$3,055 in 2023 money)
  • Estimated Units Sold: ~280,000

Read more: Atari Mega

Atari ST

"Computer Made for the Masses, not the Classes"

Released in April 1985 for $799, the Atari ST was the first affordable 16-bit computer in the world. Atari’s CEO used to say that the ST is made for the masses, not the classes. Based on the MC68000 CPU, the Atari ST offered a GUI, colorful graphics, and a 3-voice sound chip.

  • ST stands for Sixteen/Thirty-two
  • The ST line sold more than 2 million units
  • Engineered by Shiraz Shivji (who previously worked on the C64 development)
  • A feature distinguishing the ST from other computers was the built-in MIDI port and the fantastic Cubase software

Read more: Atari ST

Amiga 2000

"A2000 -The Hollywood Star"

Released in March 1987, the Commodore Amiga 2000 (A2000) was a powerful and highly expandable computer designed for professionals. Based on the Motorola 68000 CPU, the A2000 featured OCS graphics, stereo PCM audio, multitasking, and a graphical user interface, making it ideal for creative, business, and technical applications.

The A2000 was discontinued in 1991, shortly after the launch of the Amiga 3000. With its open architecture and Zorro II bus, it became the platform of choice for organizations like NASA and television studios using the legendary Video Toaster video effects system.

  • Launch Price: $1,495 (equivalent to around $3,800 in 2023)

    Read more: Amiga 2000

8-bit Legacy

The Rise of Home Computers in the 1980s

The home computer market surged in the early 1980s, fueled by rapid technological advances and declining hardware costs, making home computers affordable to the average household across Europe and North America.


During the first half of the decade, many 8-bit computers were released, most of which were based on Z80 and MOS 6510 CPUs.

During the first half of the 80s, a wide range of 8-bit machines emerged, primarily based on two CPU architectures: the MOS 6502/6510 and the Zilog Z80.

Table: Popular 8-bit Computers and their CPUs

MOS-BASED

ZILOG-BASED

MOTOROLLA-BASED

  • 6502 (YEAR:1975)

  • 6510 (YEAR:1982)

  • Z80 (YEAR:1976)

  • 6809 (YEAR:1978)

  • 68008 (YEAR:1982)

Commodore 8-bit (PET, VIC, 16, Plus/4, C64, and C128)

Amstrad 464, 664, and 6128 CPC

TRS‑80 Color Computer

Apple 8-bit (Apple II and III)

Sinclair's Z80, Z81, and ZX Spectrums

Thomson Computers

Atari 8-bit (400, 800, XL, and XE)

MSX/MSX2

Sinclair QL

Acorn 8-bit (Master, Atom, BBC, and Electron)

TRS-80 Model

 

Oric (Oric 1, Atmos, and Telestrat)

Grundy NewBrain

 

 

Jupiter Ace

 

 

Enterprise

 

 

SAM Coupe

 

Read more: 8-bit Legacy

Color Classic

"Apple Macintosh Color Classic -Compact Design Meets Color"

Released in February 1993, the Macintosh Color Classic brought color to Apple’s iconic all-in-one design, blending functionality with a sleeker, modern aesthetic. Priced at $1,399 at launch, the Color Classic remained in production until May 1995, though it continued to be sold in Europe and Japan until January 1998. This was the first compact Macintosh to feature a built-in color display, housed in a curvier, more contemporary case.

AT A GLANCE

  • The final model of the original compact Macintosh family
  • Display: 10" Sony Trinitron RGB (8.2" viewable)

    Read more: Color Classic

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Tags

Collection 22 Atari 21 Amiga 20 Music 15 MS-DOS 14 Retro-Stuff 12 Others 10 Apple 10 Console 7 Commodore 7 STE 5 Software-Collection 5 Amstrad 4

Amiga is a family of home and business computers manufactured by Commodore between 1985-1994. » Introduction to the Amiga

  • Amiga 500/500+

  • Amiga 1200

  • Amiga 3000

  • Amiga 4000

  • Amiga CD32

The Atari ST is a line of personal and business computers manufactured between 1985 and 1993. » Introducing the Atari ST

  • Atari ST

Atari ST

  • Atari STE

  • Mega STE

  • Transputer

  • Falcon 030

Atari Falcon 030

Personal and business computers that made history...

  • IBM PCs
  • IBM AT 5170

  • NeXT
  • Archimedes
  • Xerox Alto

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