Apple Turns 50: Then vs now, one product at a time

Cupertino-based tech giant Apple will turn 50 on April 1. What started as a scrappy hardware company in 1976 selling kits to hobbyists now ships some of the most advanced consumer tech on the planet. Its journey over the years isn’t just about getting better at specs, but also revolutionising how humans interact with their devices.

Here’s a look at that timeline, one product face-off at a time.

Also Read: Apple’s Biggest Hits: iPhone, Mac, and the products that changed the game


Apple II vs Apple Vision Pro

When the Apple II launched in 1977, it helped kickstart the personal computing boom. It came with a MOS 6502 chip, only 4 KB of RAM, and relied on cassette tapes for storage before moving on to floppy disks. But its real power was in the open architecture with eight expansion slots that let hobbyists upgrade the machine to their own liking. Software like spreadsheet program VisiCalc turned it from a curiosity into a serious business tool.

Fast forward to 2024, and the Apple Vision Pro flips the idea of a “computer” on its head.

There’s no keyboard, no mouse — just eyes, hands, and voice. Apple’s first spatial computing device brings the same intuitive interface to life with 23 million pixels across dual displays and a specially built new operating system, turning the world around you into a screen.

The shift is stark from a machine you had to learn and build around, to one that adapts to you and disappears into your environment.

Macintosh (1984) vs Macs today

The original Macintosh 128K from 1984 was what shaped personal computers from the 1990s and 2000s that millennials grew up with. A graphical interface, a mouse, and simple apps like MacPaint took “point-and-click” to the mainstream, despite its 128 KB RAM and floppy disks that required constant swapping.

Today’s Macs, like the Mac Studio, sit at the opposite end of the spectrum. With Apple silicon, massive unified memory of up to 256GB, and the ability to run large AI models locally, they are built for creators, developers, and professionals handling workloads.

What hasn’t changed is the intent to make powerful computing feel simple. What has changed is the scale from making Graphical User Interfaces usable to making AI workflows feel effortless.

iMac (1998) vs modern iMacs

Introduced in 1998, the iMac G3 was refreshingly different from the boring PCs of the time with its bright, translucent, and playful design. It ditched the floppy drive and embraced USB, in an attempt to move to a more internet-based computing model.

Today’s iMacs are thinner, quieter, and far more restrained. The pop of colour is still there, but the design language has matured with time as they moved to flat edges, minimal bezels, and high-resolution Retina displays powered by Apple’s own M series chips.

The evolution here is less about capability and more about confidence. From loud, attention-grabbing design to quiet, deliberate minimalism.

iPhone (2007) vs iPhone 17 Pro Max

The first iPhone was a gamble at a time when BlackBerry and Nokia dominated the business and consumer phone markets. It ditched the physical buttons entirely, betting instead on a touch interface that didn’t require a stylus — a radical shift that made it instantly more accessible to everyday users.

When Steve Jobs introduced it, he called it an iPod, a phone, and an internet communicator all in one — a pitch that would go on to define smartphones as we know them today. On paper, the specs were modest: a 3.5-inch display, a 2 MP camera, and 4 GB or 8 GB storage. But the real breakthrough wasn’t what it had, it was how it worked.

The iPhone 17 Pro Max, on the other hand, has come a long way with a 6.9-inch display, a 48 MP triple camera setup, up to 1TB of storage, AI features, and satellite connectivity. Among the highest selling smartphones in the world, it still has the same fan-following that the OG iPhone garnered almost two decades ago.

A bet that the iPhone was in 2007 has now turned into what it was going against at the time — a leader with the highest global market share by the end of 2025 at 25%, according to Counterpoint Research.

PowerBook (1991) vs MacBook Pro

Launched in 1991, the PowerBook series was what made portable computing or laptops mainstream. At the time, it was powered by a Motorola 68000 processor with up to 8 MB RAM, featuring a 9-inch LCD display and an external floppy disk drive. The PowerBook lineup continued until 2006 when the PowerBook G4 was replaced by a 17-inch MacBook Pro.

The PowerBook lineup was what gave way to the MacBook Pro machines as Apple moved to Intel processors from Motorola chips. The MacBook Pro that fans know and love today now runs on Apple’s in-house M5 series chips is its most powerful laptop — a reliable portable computer for developers, creators and professionals who have heavy workloads. Now the device has 14- or 16-inch displays with up to 128GB of RAM and up to 8TB of storage.

iPad (2010) vs iPad Pro

When the iPad was launched in 2010, it was pitched as a “magical” device for browsing, reading, and watching content. It sat somewhere between a phone and a laptop, without fully replacing either.

The iPad has its own lineup now, consisting of the iPad, the iPad Mini, the iPad Air and the iPad Pro. The iPad Pro that now runs on Apple’s latest M5 series chipset has become a powerful tool for creators, allowing them the power to do heavy tasks on the go.

What started as a consumption-first device has steadily moved toward creation and productivity.

Apple Watch (2015) vs Apple Watch today

The first Apple Watch was touted as an extension of the iPhone. The company pegged it as a device that allowed you to check notifications, track basic fitness, and stay connected. Perhaps that is the reason it wasn’t an instant hit.

Cut to over a decade later, the Apple Watch, now in its 11th generation, is a far more independent device and has made its mark in the market as one of the best wearable health trackers. With cellular connectivity, better battery life, and deeper health tracking, it has evolved into a device that can function on its own — and, more importantly, as a health companion.

iTunes vs Apple’s services ecosystem

iTunes was once Apple’s digital hub. It was impossible to have music or any kind of multimedia on your Apple devices without going through iTunes — whether you were purchasing fresh music or simply transferring it from one device to another. It was also the backbone of the iPod. However, over time, it grew bloated, trying to do too much.

Today, while the original iTunes app exists, the concept has been split into focused services like Apple Music, Apple TV, and Apple Podcasts, which make it easier and cheaper to stream/own content. In 2020, the company also introduced Apple One, a single plan that includes all of its subscription services like Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple News+, Apple Fitness+, and iCloud.

App Store (2008) vs today

When the App Store launched with just 500 apps, it opened the iPhone to developers and created entirely new business models overnight.

Today, it is a sprawling marketplace with millions of apps, subscriptions, and in-app purchases — and a central pillar of Apple’s revenue. It has also become a battleground for regulation, competition, and control over digital ecosystems.

From an enabler of innovation to an economy in itself.

Also Read: Apple Pay wants a slice of India, but faces a big pricing challenge

The throughline

Across all these products, Apple’s trajectory is clear. Early devices demanded patience and curiosity. Modern ones demand almost nothing — they anticipate, adapt, and increasingly, think.

Fifty years in, Apple is no longer just building tools. It is steadily moving toward a world where the technology fades away — and the experience is all that remains.