Cost of a Computer the Year You Were Born

Source: Binarysequence / Wikimedia Commons

1976
> Notable computer: Apple I
> Price tag: $667
> Inflation adjusted price: $2,949

The Apple I was the first product sold by Apple. It was originally designed for computer hobbyists who could make use of its bare circuit board. After Steve Jobs added a keyboard and display to its design, the Apple I was sold as a consumer product for $666.66. It was replaced by the more user-friendly Apple II the following year.

Source: Rama and Musee Bolo / Wikimedia Commons

1977
> Notable computer: Apple II
> Price tag: $1,298
> Inflation adjusted price: $5,389

In 1977, the world was introduced to a personal computer that dramatically improved on the Apple I. Notably, the Apple II provided the entire personal computer package. It was pre-assembled, rather than in a kit. It is considered by many the first widely successful PC.

Source: Daderot / Wikimedia Commons

1978
> Notable computer: IBM 5110
> Price tag: $9,875
> Inflation adjusted price: $38,105

The IBM 5110 was designed to be an affordable machine to assist businesses with accounting and reporting. Despite the company’s hopes, the computer never achieved mainstream success. Incidentally, 1978 was the year computers were first installed in the White House. Staffers in the president’s home were given access to Hewlett-Packard’s far more expensive HP 3000.

Source: computermuseumgroningen.nl / Wikimedia Commons

1979
> Notable computer: Heathkit H-89
> Price tag: $1,595
> Inflation adjusted price: $5,527

Even after pre-assembled machines such as the Apple II were being sold, many still bought personal computers sold as kits. Like many kits at the time, buyers of the H-89 needed to put together and even solder some components.

Source: Evan-Amos / Wikimedia Commons

1980
> Notable computer: Commodore VIC-20
> Price tag: $299
> Inflation adjusted price: $913

Though it would not be released until January the following year, the Commodore VIC-20 was announced in June 1980. Once released, the Commodore was extremely popular and the company struggled to produce the VIC-20 fast enough to meet demand. The machine was also the first computer to ever sell more than a million units.