Example of the graphic user interface on the Alta.

Example of the graphic user interface on the Alta.

Detail map of Palo Alto, California, United States Overview map of Palo Alto, California, United States

A: Palo Alto, California, United States

The Xerox Alto: Conceptually, the First Personal Computer System

1973

In March 1973 the Alto computer system was operational at Xerox PARC. Conceptually the first personal computer system, the Alto eventually featured the first WYSYWG (What You See is What You Get) editor, a graphic user interface (GUI), networking through Ethernet, and a mouse. The Alto, which was conceptually a full ten years ahead of mass-market GUI machines, was priced $32,000.

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