Apple introduced the Macintosh personal computer in 1984 and remains one of the world's most valuable public companies by market capitalization.
The Macintosh launched on January 24, 1984, after a famous Super Bowl television advertisement directed by Ridley Scott. It helped popularize a graphical user interface and mouse-driven computing for consumers, distinguishing Apple from many command-line competitors.
Apple was founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne. Its modern market value has been driven by the iPhone, introduced in 2007, along with services, Macs, iPads, and wearable products. The company is incorporated in California and is headquartered in Cupertino.
A common mix-up is confusing Apple with Apple Records, the music company founded by the Beatles. They are unrelated organizations. Apple Inc. was originally named Apple Computer Company and changed its name in 2007 as it expanded beyond personal computers.