The most distinct chip on an original Apple 1 is definitely the MOS 6502. This chip originally came in a white ceramic package, and that is what shipped with the original Apple 1 computers. When I decided to build my replica using original parts, I set out to find this chip. As it turns out, this is a relatively sought after chip. They rarely come up for sale, and when they do they can claim hundreds of dollars. »
Today I received a bunch of Interface Age magazines in the mail. This magazine carried the very first Apple 1 advertisement in July of 1976 as well as an article about the new company. In September the magazine printed a 6502 Disassembler by Woz and Allen Baum, and in October an article by Steve Jobs about connecting the SWTPC PR-40. »
I realized that I have never posted a photo of my complete Apple 1 setup. My setup includes my Apple 1 motherboard, my custom Apple 1 keyboard, a Panasonic RQ-2102 cassette player, and an Apple IIe monitor. The monitor isn’t shown here in the photo, but it is shown in the video below: »
After building my cassette interface and loading programs successfully from an iMac, I wanted to try loading programs from a cassette player. Thanks to Wendell Sander, we now know that the Steve’s used a Panasonic RQ-2102 cassette player. Luckily these exact players are still made today and I was able to get a new one very easily. After finding the right cassette player, I wanted to create some authentic-looking tapes. A few tapes were included in a recent eBay auction so I have something to model after. »
When I needed a keyboard for my Apple 1, I did what many others did. I got a standard Apple II keyboard, created an adapter, and hooked it up. This comes along with several challenges and considerations. First, it is very easy to hook up backwards and blow a 7404. Second, you will still have to hook up separate clear switch. You could do what I did and build a clear and reset on power on circuit, but you won’t have a manual clear switch. »