Altair 8800

What does Altair 8800 mean?

The Altair 8800 was the first commercially successful Personal [Computer](https://amazingalgorithms.com/definitions/computer). It was designed by Ed Roberts and first sold in 1975. The Altair 8800 was based on the Intel 8080 microprocessor and came with 256 bytes of RAM. It was sold as a kit that required the user to assemble the computer themselves. The Altair 8800 was a groundbreaking computer that helped to popularize the personal computer revolution.

The Altair 8800 was a powerful computer for its time. It could run a variety of software programs, including Word processors, spreadsheets, and games. The Altair 8800 was also used by hobbyists to build their own computers and to develop new software. The Altair 8800 was a major influence on the development of the personal computer industry.

Applications

The Altair 8800 was used for a variety of applications, including:

• Word processing: The Altair 8800 could be used to create and edit text documents.
• Spreadsheets: The Altair 8800 could be used to create and manage spreadsheets.
• Games: The Altair 8800 could be used to play a variety of games, including chess, checkers, and blackjack.
• Hobbyist projects: The Altair 8800 was used by hobbyists to build their own computers and to develop new software.

The Altair 8800 was an important computer in the development of the personal computer industry. It was the first commercially successful personal computer and it helped to popularize the use of personal computers. The Altair 8800 also influenced the development of the microprocessor and the software industry.

History

The Altair 8800 was developed by Ed Roberts in 1975. Roberts was a former engineer for Intel and he was inspired to create the Altair 8800 after reading an article about the Intel 8080 microprocessor. Roberts designed the Altair 8800 to be a low-cost, easy-to-use personal computer.

The Altair 8800 was first sold in 1975 through an advertisement in Popular Electronics magazine. The computer was sold as a kit that required the user to assemble the computer themselves. The Altair 8800 was a popular computer and it quickly became the best-selling personal computer.

The Altair 8800 was discontinued in 1978, but it had a major impact on the development of the personal computer industry. The Altair 8800 helped to popularize the use of personal computers and it influenced the development of the microprocessor and the software industry.