Apple changed the world with the Apple II in the late 1970s. This wonderful computer introduced the public to the possibilities of home computer usage. It is still a fascinating machine. That is why many people still use it today. The computer is just as interesting today as it was when it first hit the market. If you don't own one, I would suggest you pick one up. They go for pennies on eBay or at flee markets and will give you hours of interesting projects. There is a great online support community, so information about all aspects of the Apple II experience is freely available.

The Macintosh first appeared in 1984. It was a revolutionary leap in the way users interacted with computers. The MacOS graphical user interface (or GUI) was a marvel of simplicity and ergonomic design. Although Apple did not invent the concept of the GUI, they were the first to bring it to the market at a price that many could afford. As a testament to Apple's design parameters, the Mac GUI survived, more or less, in its original form over fifteen years until the advent of OS X. It was the template that Microsoft followed to move its users from text-line MS-DOS to Windows.