Computers by the Millions (1979)

web.stanford.edu

7 points·rnjailamba··4 comments

> On the other hand, if you are selling these computers for about $6000 each

https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/mac-pro

Though with inflation that would be more like $25K today, enough for two maxed-out Mac Pro machines.

> The third generation personal computers will be self-contained, complete, and essentially un-expandable. As we shall see, this strategy not only makes it possible to write complete software, but makes the hardware much cheaper and produceable. The kinds of options that do not give programmers nightmares are things like case color, kind of screen (so long as size, aspect ratio and resolution are unaffected), power supply and the model name.

https://www.apple.com/imac/

> But will the average person's circle of acquaintances grow? Will we be better informed? Will a use of these computers as an entertainment medium become their primary value? Will they foster self-education? Is the designer of a personal computer system doing good or evil?

Yes, no, yes, no, both.

1979 memo from Jef Raskin - early Apple employee, kicked off the project that would eventually become the Macintosh.

Raskin Remembers "Computers by the Millions" - https://web.stanford.edu/dept/SUL/sites/mac/primary/docs/cbm...

> A lot of feedback has come in on the "Computers by the Millions" draft, with all readers apparently enjoying it, with the exception of Steve Jobs.

IIRC Jobs shut down Apple's history exhibits, archives, and library and sent the collections to Stanford.

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