Building an Apple 1 Replica: Recreating the First Apple Computer

TLDRIn this episode, we build a replica of the Apple 1 computer, Apple's first computer built in the 1970s. We create a 6502 CPU-based single board computer with RAM and ROM, and an API board for interfacing with peripherals. We also explore the memory addressing system and burn a ROM with the necessary code. Finally, we test the system by connecting an oscilloscope and logic probe.

Key insights

👾The Apple 1 computer was Apple's first computer, built in the 1970s by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak in a garage.

🔩The Apple 1 computer was sold as a kit and used off-the-shelf components, making it easy to replicate today.

💾We built a replica of the Apple 1 by creating a 6502 CPU-based single board computer with RAM and ROM.

🔌We also built an API board to interface the 6502 CPU with peripherals like an LCD or a keyboard.

🧪We explored the memory addressing system of the Apple 1 and burned a ROM with the necessary code to emulate the original functionality.

Q&A

What is the Apple 1 computer?

—The Apple 1 is Apple's first computer, built in the 1970s by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. It was sold as a kit and used off-the-shelf components.

How did you build the replica of the Apple 1?

—We built a replica of the Apple 1 by creating a 6502 CPU-based single board computer with RAM and ROM. We also built an API board for interfacing with peripherals.

What is the memory addressing system of the Apple 1?

—The memory addressing system of the Apple 1 allows the 6502 CPU to access different sections of memory, including RAM and ROM.

What is the purpose of the ROM?

—The ROM contains the necessary code for the Apple 1 to execute basic operations. It includes programs like the BASIC interpreter, assembler, and monitor.

How did you test the replica of the Apple 1?

—We tested the replica by connecting an oscilloscope and logic probe to the data bus of the 6502 CPU. This allowed us to monitor the digital data and ensure the system was working correctly.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Introduction to the episode and the project of building a replica of the Apple 1 computer.

03:36Exploration of the memory addressing system and the design of a ROM with the necessary code.

08:49Building the 6502 CPU-based single board computer with RAM and ROM, as well as the API board for interfacing with peripherals.

13:58Testing the system by connecting an oscilloscope and logic probe to monitor the digital data.

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