Classic Apple comparison
Apple I vs Macintosh 128K
Compare the hand-built Apple I with the Macintosh 128K: price, memory, CPU, storage, interface and why each changed Apple history.
Apple IHand-built by Steve Wozniak and sold by Steve Jobs from a garage, the Apple I was little more than a board — you supplied the case, power, keyboard and TV.
Macintosh 128KLaunched by the "1984" Super Bowl ad, the original Macintosh put a friendly face on computing.Specs side by side
| Spec | Apple I | Macintosh 128K |
|---|---|---|
| Release | April 1976 | January 24, 1984 |
| Launch price | $667 | $2,495 |
| Price today | $3,667 | $7,560 |
| CPU | MOS 6502 · 1.023 MHz | Motorola 68000 · 7.83 MHz |
| Memory | 4 KB | 128 KB |
| Storage | — | — |
| Display | Composite video out (BYO TV), text only | 9" monochrome, 512×342 (1-bit) |
| Ports | Cassette, keyboard header | 400 KB floppy, 2 serial, mouse |
| Operating system | Woz Monitor / Integer BASIC | System 1.0 |
Method note: historical pricing uses approximate US CPI. CPU clock comparisons are clock-only and do not represent full real-world performance.
Why each matters
Apple I
The first Apple product — sold as a fully assembled board when rivals shipped kits.
Macintosh 128K
The computer that made the GUI mainstream — menus, windows, icons and a mouse, for the rest of us.
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Last updated: 2026-06-30