Apple Computer, Inc. was founded on April 1, 1976, by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne. The company was registered as a California business partnership. Wayne, who worked at Atari as a chief draftsman, became a co-founder in return for a 10% stake. Wayne was gun-shy due to the failure of his own venture four years earlier. On April 12, less than two weeks after the company's formation, Wayne left Apple, selling his 10% share back to the two Steves for $800.

Jobs and Wozniak started out building the Apple I in Jobs' garage and sold them without a monitor, keyboard, or casing (which they decided to add on in 1977). The Apple I revolutionized the computer industry with the introduction of the first-ever colour graphics. Sales jumped from $7.8 million in 1978 to $117 million in 1980, the year Apple went public.

In 1980, Apple released the Apple II, which was an even bigger success than the Apple I. The Apple II was the first computer to have a built-in keyboard and a graphical user interface (GUI). It was also the first computer to be sold in mass quantities.

In 1984, Apple released the Macintosh, which was the first computer to have a mouse and a GUI. The Macintosh was a huge success and helped to make Apple a household name.

In 1985, Steve Jobs left Apple after a long and public feud with the company's board of directors. Jobs founded NeXT, a computer company that focused on high-end education and business markets.

In 1997, Apple was on the verge of bankruptcy when it bought NeXT for $429 million. Jobs returned to Apple as CEO and quickly turned the company around.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Apple released a series of successful products, including the iMac, the iPod, the iPhone, and the iPad. These products helped to make Apple one of the most valuable companies in the world.

Today, Apple is a leading manufacturer of consumer electronics. The company's products are known for their sleek design, user-friendly interface, and high quality. Apple is also a major player in the software industry, with its iOS and macOS operating systems being used by millions of people around the world.

Apple is a company that has changed the way people use computers and other electronic devices. The company's products have helped to make technology more accessible and user-friendly. Apple is a company that is constantly innovating and pushing the boundaries of what is possible. It is a company that is sure to continue to be a major player in the technology industry for many years to come.

I won't even try a synopsis of Amstrad as the website is great source of information 

Founding and the Arcade Boom

1972–1976

Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney founded Atari in Sunnyvale, California, naming it after a term in the board game Go equivalent to "check." Engineer Al Alcorn created Pong, which became a massive coin-op success and launched the commercial arcade industry. Atari followed with hits like Breakout and home dedicated Pong consoles, but rapid growth caused serious capital constraints.

The Warner Buyout and the 2600

1976–1982

To finance development of a cartridge-based console codenamed "Stella," Bushnell sold Atari to Warner Communications in 1976 for $28 million. Released in 1977, the Atari Video Computer System (VCS)—later renamed the Atari 2600—became a cultural phenomenon. Propelled by home ports of arcade hits like Space Invaders and Asteroids, Atari grew into the fastest-growing company in US history, generating over $2 billion in revenue by 1982.

The 1983 Crash and the Great Split

1983–1984

Market saturation, poor quality control, and rushed titles like Pac-Man and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial triggered the North American video game crash of 1983. Warner lost hundreds of millions, leading to the infamous burial of unsold cartridges in an Alamogordo, New Mexico landfill. In 1984, Warner split the company:

The Tramiel Era and the Atari ST

1985–1996

Under Tramiel, Atari pivoted aggressively to personal computing with the slogan "Power without the price." In 1985, they launched the Atari 520ST/1040ST, featuring a Motorola 68000 CPU, a GEM graphical desktop, and built-in MIDI ports. The ST became an enormous hit in Europe and the de facto standard for music production. However, Atari struggled against Nintendo and Sega in games; later hardware like the handheld Lynx (1989) and the 64-bit Jaguar (1993) failed commercially.

Corporate Mergers and Modern Revival

1996–Present

Atari merged with hard drive maker JTS in 1996, effectively shuttering original hardware development. The brand was bought by Hasbro Interactive in 1998, then acquired by French publisher Infogrames in 2001, which eventually rebranded its entire operation as Atari SA. In recent years, Atari has focused on retro hardware, classic IP remasters, and acquiring vintage studios like Nightdive Studios and Digital Eclipse.

Commodore International was a significant participant in the development of the home-computer industry in the 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s. The company developed and marketed the world's best-selling computer, the Commodore 64 (1982), and released its Amiga computer line in July 1985. With quarterly sales ending 1983 of $49 million (equivalent to $114 million in 2021), Commodore was one of the world's largest personal computer manufacturers.

The company was founded in 1954 as Commodore Portable Typewriter Company by Polish immigrant Jack Tramiel. Tramiel had previously worked for a typewriter company called E.M.I., which went bankrupt in 1953. Tramiel purchased the assets of E.M.I. for $50,000 and founded Commodore Portable Typewriter Company.

The company's first product was the Commodore Portable, a typewriter that was also capable of working as a computer. The Commodore Portable was not a commercial success, but it did help to establish Commodore as a computer company.

In 1977, Commodore released the PET, which was one of the first commercially successful home computers. The PET was a 8-bit computer that was based on the MOS Technology 6502 microprocessor. The PET was a success, and it helped to make Commodore a major player in the home-computer market.

In 1982, Commodore released the Commodore 64, which was an even bigger success than the PET. The Commodore 64 was a 8-bit computer that had 64 kilobytes of RAM and a powerful graphics and sound chip. The Commodore 64 was a huge success, and it is considered to be one of the best-selling computers of all time.

In 1985, Commodore released the Amiga, which was a 16-bit computer that was ahead of its time. The Amiga had a powerful graphics and sound chip, and it could display graphics in colour. The Amiga was a critical success, but it was not a commercial success.

Commodore continued to develop new computers in the late 1980s and early 1990s, but the company struggled to compete with other computer manufacturers, such as IBM and Apple. In 1994, Commodore filed for bankruptcy and ceased operations.

The legacy of Commodore International is still felt today. The company's computers helped to shape the personal computer industry, and its Amiga computer is considered to be one of the most important computers of all time.

Dragon Data was a British computer manufacturer founded in 1979 by Jim Westwood and Roger Wilson. The company's first product was the Dragon 32, a home computer that was based on the Motorola MC6809E microprocessor. The Dragon 32 was released in 1982 and was a commercial success.

In 1984, Dragon Data released the Dragon 64, which was an enhanced version of the Dragon 32. The Dragon 64 had 64 kilobytes of RAM, compared to the Dragon 32's 32 kilobytes. The Dragon 64 was also compatible with the Dragon 32, so users could upgrade their computers without having to buy new software.

Dragon Data also released a number of other products, including the Dragon Alpha, a 16-bit computer, and the Dragon Data 200, a business computer. However, these products were not as successful as the Dragon 32 and Dragon 64.

In 1986, Dragon Data was acquired by Tano, a US computer company. Tano continued to sell Dragon computers under the Dragon Data brand until 1988, when it discontinued the brand.

The Dragon computers were popular in the UK and Europe, but they were not as successful in the US. The company's products were often overshadowed by the competition from IBM and other major computer manufacturers.

Despite its limited success, Dragon Data played an important role in the development of the personal computer industry. The company's computers helped to make home computers more affordable and accessible to the general public.

Epson is a Japanese multinational electronics company that was founded in 1942. The company's main focus is on printers and information- and imaging-related equipment. However, Epson also produced and sold personal computers from 1983 to 1996.

Epson's first computer was the QX-10, which was released in 1983. The QX-10 was a CP/M-compatible computer that was based on the Zilog Z80 microprocessor. It was followed by the PC-20 in 1984 and the PC-486 in 1986.

In 1988, Epson released the Equity line of computers. The Equity line was based on the Intel 8088 microprocessor and was compatible with the IBM PC. The Equity line was a success and helped Epson to become a major player in the personal computer market.

In 1996, Epson withdrew from the international PC market. The company cited the increasing competition from other manufacturers as the reason for its decision. However, Epson continued to produce and sell personal computers in Japan until 2001.

Epson Printers

Epson's first printer was the EP-101, which was released in 1976. The EP-101 was a dot-matrix printer that could print at a speed of 50 characters per second.

Epson's first inkjet printer was the MX-80, which was released in 1985. The MX-80 was a revolutionary printer that could print text and graphics with high quality.

Epson's first laser printer was the LX-810, which was released in 1988. The LX-810 was a high-speed laser printer that was popular with businesses and schools.

Epson is a leading manufacturer of printers and information- and imaging-related equipment. The company's products are known for their high quality, reliability, and affordability. Epson is a major player in the global electronics market and is committed to innovation and continuous improvement.

ESC/P2

ESC/P2 is a printer control language that was developed by Epson in 1985. ESC/P2 is a standard printer language that is used by many different printer manufacturers. ESC/P2 is a text-based language that is easy to learn and use.

ESC/P2 is a powerful printer language that can be used to control a wide range of printer features. ESC/P2 can be used to print text, graphics, and images. ESC/P2 can also be used to control printer settings, such as the print resolution, the print quality, and the print speed.

ESC/P2 is a widely used printer language that is supported by many different printer drivers. ESC/P2 is a reliable and efficient printer language that is ideal for a wide range of applications.

I learnt programming on Exidy Sorcerer II in basic & machine code under CPM.

The Exidy Sorcerer II manufactured by the Sunnyvale, California arcade game developer Exidy and introduced in 1979.

Background and Origins

In 1978, Exidy entered the nascent home and small-business personal computer market with the original Sorcerer (DP1000-1). Designed to compete directly with the "1977 Trinity" (the Apple II, Commodore PET, and Tandy TRS-80), the Sorcerer was envisioned as a hybrid machine: combining the consumer-friendly keyboard integration of the PET and TRS-80 with the expandability of S-100 bus systems and the software flexibility of the Zilog Z80 processor.

These machines in the EU market boosted a company to become Tulip Computers.

The MicroProfessor is a series of educational microcomputers that were introduced in the early 1980s by Multitech (later renamed Acer). The original MicroProfessor, the MPF-1, was designed to teach the fundamentals of machine code and assembly language. It was contained within a plastic case that could be placed on a bookshelf like any other training manual or book.

The MPF-1 was a simple and easy to use system. It consisted of a single board computer (SBC) that contained a Zilog Z80 microprocessor, 2 KiB of ROM, and 128 bytes of RAM. The SBC was connected to a monitor and keyboard, and it came with a set of training materials that included a textbook, two audio cassettes, and a training manual.

The MPF-1 was a popular educational tool, and it was used by schools and colleges around the world. It was also used by hobbyists and enthusiasts, and it helped to introduce many people to the world of microcomputers.

The MicroProfessor series continued with the MPF-II and MPF-III, which were more powerful and featured more advanced features. The MPF-II was introduced in 1982, and it featured a Z80A microprocessor, 8 KiB of ROM, and 1 KiB of RAM. The MPF-III was introduced in 1983, and it featured a Z80A microprocessor, 16 KiB of ROM, and 4 KiB of RAM.

The MicroProfessor series was discontinued in the late 1980s, but it remains an important part of the history of microcomputers. It was one of the first educational microcomputers, and it helped to introduce many people to the world of computing.

Clive Sinclair was a British entrepreneur and inventor who is best known for his work on home computers. He founded Sinclair Radionics in 1961, which produced a range of electronic products, including calculators and radios. In the early 1980s, Sinclair turned his attention to home computers.

Sinclair's first home computer was the ZX80, which was released in 1980. The ZX80 was a simple machine that could be built from a kit for just £79.95. It was an instant success, selling over 50,000 units in its first year.

The ZX80 was followed by the ZX81 in 1981. The ZX81 was an improved version of the ZX80 that had more memory and a built-in keyboard. It was even more successful than the ZX80, selling over 1.5 million units in the UK alone.

Sinclair's next computer was the ZX Spectrum, which was released in 1982. The ZX Spectrum was a more powerful computer than the ZX81 and it had a wider range of features. It was a huge success, selling over 5 million units worldwide.

Sinclair's computers were popular because they were affordable and easy to use. They helped to introduce home computing to a mass audience and they played a major role in the development of the personal computer industry.

Sinclair's computers were not without their problems. They were often unreliable and they had limited software support. However, they were still a major success and they helped to change the way people thought about computers.

Sinclair stopped producing computers in the late 1980s. However, his legacy lives on. The ZX Spectrum is still popular with retro gamers and it is considered to be one of the most important home computers ever made.