Get Out of the Cubicle

Monday, February 1, 2010

On the Orgin of Computers

Inspired by Apple’s newest product release, let’s take a brief look back on the evolution of Apple… from their founding in 1976 until now.

1976 - The Apple 1 is Apple’s first product. Not a computer by modern standards, it contained a motherboard with CPU and RAM (no mouse or display), all encased in this nice hand-crafted wooden box.

1984 - The Macintosh 128k is Apple’s first personal computer and the basis for their Mac® line. Retailing for around $2400 dollars, this bad boy weighed in at 22 lbs, and had the processing power of your old flip phone.

1998 - After an intentional re-branding phase, Apple launched the iMac, a stylish new desktop computer that would forever change the company’s success.

2001 - Apple breaches the MP3 market with its first generation iPod, a 5 gig black and white model with a spinning wheel.

2007 - The iPhone and iTouch are released. These tech toys represented Apple’s push towards a 100% touch screen interface system.

2010 - Apple’s most recent innovation, the iPad. Somewhere in between a laptop and the iTouch, this new tablet computer is faster, sleeker, and more versatile than any apple product yet.

I will admit, I am not an Apple fan. I’ve never owned one, can’t figure out how to work them, and fear the day when an iPhone takes over my existence.  With that said, I have a profound respect for their rise to success. They have transformed the computing world into a fashion show reminding consumers that design is just as important as function.

Who knows what sorts societal lifestyle changes will ensue with the release of the iPad. With iPod and iPhone, the impact on society was almost immediate, transforming luxury into necessity overnight. Throughout its history, Apple has changed the way that humans communicate and interact. It is completely reasonable to assume that they will do this again. We’ll just have to wait and see.