The Mac Turns 25

The Macintosh was the first commercially successful personal computer to feature a mouse and a graphical user interface rather than a command line interface. Of course, later Microsoft developed the Windows operating system, and the world moved in the direction of the IBM PC and its clones, which were far cheaper than the Macintosh.

In fact, Windows PCs are still cheaper than Macs, whether they be laptops or desktops, but a little MP3 player and returning CEO Steve Jobs have worked to save a company that seemed to be teetering earlier.

Yes, the iPod was the first successful product launched after the return of Steve Jobs, and with that little device, and follow-ups, Apple moved from its cult following, and into the more mainstream view.

Yes, the Macintosh is making a dent in personal computer market share, and is surely making Microsoft turn green with envy, as are Apple's financial reports.

Despite all that, all credit to the iPod and iTunes, and near demi-god Steve Jobs: the Macintosh is riding the coattails of those and becoming something that considered as first choice, rather than second, in the eyes of consumers.

Take a look at Apple's 1984 commercial (attached to this story), which debuted during the 1984 Super Bowl and was never shown again. This was the intro to the Mac, although it never even showed the computer.