L'Altair 8800 rappresenta un capitolo fondamentale nella storia dell'evoluzione dei computer. Questo straordinario dispositivo, nato nel 1975 come kit di montaggio, ha segnato l'inizio di un'era in cui i computer sono diventati accessibili alle persone comuni, contribuendo a definire il concetto di "personal computer". Successivamente, nel 1977, sono usciti altri computer destinati al grande pubblico: il Commodore PET 2001, l'Apple II e il TRS-80.
In the video, Sergio Gervasini of ESoCoP explains it.
The Altair 8800: a technological revolution
Prima dell'arrivo dell'Altair 8800, i computer erano costosi, enormi e utilizzati principalmente dalle aziende per scopi specifici. L'idea di avere un computer a casa era considerata un lusso fuori dalla portata della maggior parte delle persone. Ma tutto è cambiato quando l'Altair 8800 è stato presentato, in kit di montaggio, sulla rivista "Popular Electronics". Con un prezzo incredibilmente accessibile di soli 600 dollari, l'Altair 8800 ha permesso a chiunque di possedere un vero e proprio computer.
Bill Gates and the birth of Microsoft
The Altair 8800 played a crucial role also in the birth of Microsoft. Bill Gates, together with Paul Allen, saw the opportunity to develop a Basic interpreter for Altair, opening the way to a new software market. In fact, Microsoft's first steps were undertaken while Gates was still a university student. This partnership with Mits (the Aldoir 8800 manufacturer) marked the beginning of a technological empire that we know today as Microsoft.
The personal computer catches on
After the Altair 8800, other producers also started developing computers conceived for the general public. In 1977, the Commodore Pet 2001, the Apple II and the TRS-80 of the Radio Shack were released. These machines have been fundamental in transforming computers from expensive business tools to devices accessible to everyone.
The Commodore Pet 2001 was a complete computer with keyboard, monitor and cassette recorder, offering users the opportunity to save and load the programs. Apple II, on the other hand, introduced the concept of modular computer, in which the monitor and the record reader could be purchased separately, making the system more flexible. The TRS-80, marketed mainly in the United States, followed a philosophy similar to Apple II, offering a computer with separate accessories.
With regard to the processors used in the computers described in this article, they are all 8 bits. The Altair 8800 mounts an Intel 8080; The Commodore Pet 2001 and the Apple II mountains the MOS 6502. Instead, the Radio Shack Trs-80 is equipped with a Z80 microprocessor.
The key role of basic language starting from the Altair 8800
A key feature of these computers was the use of programming language BASIC, che li rendeva accessibili anche a coloro che non avevano competenze avanzate di programmazione. BASIC, acronimo di "Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code", era un linguaggio di programmazione progettato per essere facile da apprendere e utilizzare.
Other interviews conducted at Varese Retrocomputing 2023
During the event of September 17, 2023 in Tradate (VA), the Varese Retrocomputing 2023, I led several interviews to the various exhibitors. Don't miss the opportunity to explore the fascinating history of computers and vintage information technology, by enrolling in @valoSoit channels on the various social networks.