BEIGE AND BROWN, with chunky keys, the Apple II might not be irresistible to modern eyes, but this was the 1970s — brown was in. On–screen, you mercifully got other colors and, elsewhere, audio and game controllers. These things were unusual at the time, and were reportedly included so lead designer Steve Wozniak could show off a version of the Breakout video game to his chums.
The Apple II’s nature informed Apple’s future. In being pre–assembled and plug– and–play, it was the first computer “for the rest of us.” This sentiment echoed down the ages, with Apple determined to take the cutting edge, make it accessible, and use it to unlock people’s potential.