Build your own Apple I replica with this handy kit

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SmartyKit Apple-1 replica
This Apple-1 replica can be assembled in a few hours.
Photo: SmartyKit

An original Apple-I unit recently sold for $471,000 but you can assemble your own replica for much, much less.

Steve Wozniak designed and hand-built the original back in 1976. Anyone who wants to assemble their own today can buy the parts and instructions from SmartyKit.

This Apple-I replica requires no soldering, and can be put together in hours. It offers “breadboards with just 15 chips, PS/2 keyboard and connection to a TV.”

It runs a machine code monitor written by Wozniak. This software from the early days of computing allows users to view and change memory locations.

Harks back the dawn of home computing

Wozniak designed the Apple-1 as a hobby project to demonstrate to the Homebrew Computer Club that it was possible to make a functional computer out of relatively inexpensive parts. Steve Jobs then convinced him that they should sell this creation, and Apple was born.

While the do-it-yourself Apple-1 replica requires assembly, the original version came already put together, though without a case. It sold for $666.66, a figure that SmartyKit is honoring by charging $66.66 for its version.

This kit is not yet available, but anyone interested can sign up on the SmartyKit website.

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