By Tom Owad, Foreword by Steve Wozniak, Co-Founder of Apple Computer, Joe Grand (Electrical Engineering Appendix)
HIGHLIGHT
According to Wired Magazine The Apple I is one of the hottest machines on the vintage computer market. There are now fewer than 50 systems still in circulation, and collectors have paid as much as $50,000 for a computer originally priced at $666.66. While the average Apple enthusiast is unlikely to get their hands on an original, they can build a system from scratch with roughly $100 worth of hardware and a copy of Apple I Replica Creation: Back to the Garage. |
The Ultimate Retro Project for Geeks
Date: Feb 2005
Pages: 368 (est.)
User level: All
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| SAMPLE CHAPTER : |
Digital Logic |
DESCRIPTION
The perfect book for computer hobbyists, Apple I Replica Creation: Back to the Garage is sure to equally appeal both to kids with gift certificates looking for fun on a snowy January day as well as to adults eager to learn the basics of simple microcomputer design. The book will begin by teaching readers the basics of computer processing by discussing the functionality of the 9 chip on the Apple I motherboard. From there, readers will be taught the basics of memory access and video input and output. Readers then learn how to assemble the various hardware components into a fully functioning Apple I replica. Finally, readers will learn how to write their own applications to take run on their new/old computer.
KEY
SELLING POINTS
- Written by the webmaster of AppleFritter.com, which is the most popular Mac hobbyist Web site on the internet with over 10,000 visitors a day.
- Interest in vintage Apple I Computers is extremely high, with original machines selling for as much as $50,000.
- The only modern-day book to address general microcomputer design from a hobbyist perspective.
MARKET
INFORMATION
The interest in retro-computing and vintage machines has sky-rocketed as evidenced by original Apple I computers selling for as much as $50,000. The interest in these machines has increased as well as author Tom Owad's web site dedicated to building and modifying vintage Apple machines receives more than 10,000 visitors per day. This book will capitalize on the scarcity and price of the original machines and the interest demonstrated by Mac hobbyists in this topic at the author's Web site.
Hardware hacking books are great for performing modifications, but don't deliver the same sense of accomplishment as building your own system from the ground up. Other electronics books require the reader to purchase fancy kits and expensive proprietary equipment. The Apple I Replica by contrast can be built for under a hundred dollars.
ABOUT
THE AUTHOR
Tom Owad is a Macintosh Consultant in south-central PA and the D.C. area and Vice President of Keystone MacCentral. He is co-author of "Hardware Hacking: Have Fun While Voiding Your Warranty" and serves on the Board of Directors of the Apple I Owners Club, where he is also webmaster and archivist. Tom is owner and webmaster of Applefritter, a Macintosh community of both artists and engineers. Applefritter provides its members with discussion boards for the exchange of ideas and hosts
countless member-contributed hardware hacks and other projects. Tom has a BA in Computer Science and International Affairs from Lafayette
College, Pennsylvania.
TECHNOLOGY
BACKGROUND
The Apple Computer Company began designing and marketing personal computers more than 25 years ago. Apple originally focused on do-it-yourself computer kits aimed at computer hobbyists, but with the introduction of the Apple II in 1977 the company became known for its powerful and easy-to-use computers. Apple computers differed from IBM's first x86 machines as much back then as they do now. With the release of the Apple 1 in 1976 by Steven Jobs and Steven Wozniak, Apple was born. This computer was designed for computer hobbyists, and originally sold for $666.66.
Apple stopped making the original Apple I more than 20 years ago, and because of the scarcity of the original machines, they can now sell for as much as $50,000. Author Tom Owad in this book teaches readers how they can design, build, and program their own Apple I replica to satisfy the demand for the retro machines for those who can't afford the hefty price tag to purchase an original.
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