Apple developed the Apple II, a pioneering personal computer widely regarded as the first commercially successful mass-produced personal computer.
Designed primarily by Steve Wozniak and introduced in 1977, the Apple II was sold as a complete system rather than mainly as a kit for electronics hobbyists. Its color graphics, keyboard, sound, and expandable architecture made it attractive to homes, schools, and small businesses.
The computer became especially influential after VisiCalc, an early spreadsheet program, was released for it in 1979. VisiCalc gave people a practical reason to buy a personal computer and helped establish business software as a major market.
The Apple II is distinct from the Apple I, which was a more limited single-board computer sold earlier. IBM’s PC, introduced in 1981, became another major industry milestone, but it did not precede the Apple II’s commercial success.