The Xerox Alto was the first computer designed for individual use with a graphical user interface. Developed at Xerox PARC, it pioneered concepts that defined personal computing but was never sold commercially.
Revolutionary Design
The Alto introduced paradigms we now take for granted:
- Bitmapped display: Individual pixels, not character cells
- Graphical user interface: Windows, icons, menus
- Mouse: Primary input device
- WYSIWYG editing: Print output matches screen
- Ethernet: Network connectivity
Technical Specifications
The Alto was advanced for its time:
- Custom bit-slice processor
- 128KB-512KB RAM
- Removable hard disk
- High-resolution display (606 x 808)
Influence on Apple
Steve Jobs famously visited PARC and saw Alto demonstrations. The visit influenced the Apple Lisa and Macintosh, bringing PARC’s innovations to the commercial market.
Why Xerox Didn’t Commercialize
Xerox never successfully commercialized the Alto:
- Seen as too expensive for consumers
- Corporate focus on copiers
- Failure to recognize market potential
The Alto demonstrated what personal computing could be; Apple and Microsoft built the industry.