MITS · 1975
Altair 8800
Programmed with front-panel switches. Microsoft's very first product was BASIC for the Altair.
Then vs now
| Maker | MITS |
|---|---|
| Released | 1975 |
| Processor | Intel 8080, 2 MHz |
| Memory | 256 bytes |
| Storage | None (toggle switches) |
| Launch price | $439 (about $2,560 in 2024 dollars) |
| Big in | USA |
Launch price is for the base model in its home market and is approximate. US prices adjusted with the US Consumer Price Index (BLS).
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Where people started on one
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Questions and answers
When did the Altair 8800 come out?
The Altair 8800 was released in 1975 by MITS.
How much did the Altair 8800 cost when it was new?
About $439 for the base model at launch, roughly $2,560 in 2024 US dollars after inflation (US Consumer Price Index).
How much memory and speed did the Altair 8800 have?
256 bytes of memory and a Intel 8080 processor at 2 MHz. A typical 2025 flagship phone has about 33.6 million times more memory.
How many people had the Altair 8800 as their first computer?
Nobody has added it to the First Computer Atlas yet. If it was yours, add it.
Where was the Altair 8800 popular?
It was especially popular in USA.
Can you still buy the Altair 8800?
Only second-hand. Working units turn up on eBay and at retro computing fairs; boxed, tested machines cost the most. Check sold listings rather than asking prices to judge what one is worth.