Apple's 50-Year Journey Still Feels Magical

A Mac magazine editor reflects on using Apple products in every decade since the 1980s

Mar. 27, 2026 at 3:48pm

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A longtime Mac user and magazine editor shares his experiences with Apple products over the past 50 years, from the revolutionary Macintosh in the 1980s to the latest innovations like the M1 chip and Vision Pro. He describes how Apple has maintained its identity as the "alternative" tech company, even as it has become one of the biggest corporations in the world.

Why it matters

Apple's products have defined and shaped each decade of personal computing, from the graphical user interface of the original Macintosh to the cultural impact of the iPod and iPhone. This retrospective provides insight into how Apple has managed to stay relevant and innovative over the course of five decades, even as it has grown into a tech giant.

The details

The author first used a Mac in the 1980s, marveling at the graphical interface and mouse-driven experience compared to the text-based PCs of the time. In the 1990s, Apple struggled as PCs became cheaper and more flexible, leading many to doubt the company's future. But the 2000s saw a revival under Steve Jobs, with the iMac, iPod, and iPhone redefining personal technology. The 2010s were a decade of dominance for Apple, as it consolidated its position as the leading consumer tech company, though not without some divisive design decisions. Now in the 2020s, Apple has surprised again with the M1 chip and its push into spatial computing with the Vision Pro, though it faces new challenges in artificial intelligence.

  • The Macintosh 128K was first used by the author's father in the 1980s.
  • The iconic 1984 Super Bowl ad for the Macintosh set the tone for Apple in the 1980s.
  • The author edited MacFormat magazine, an Apple-focused publication, in the mid-2000s.
  • The iPhone was launched in 2007, ushering in a new era of mobile computing.
  • Apple's transition to its own M1 silicon was completed across the Mac lineup by 2023.

The players

Steve Jobs

The co-founder of Apple who returned as CEO in the 2000s and led the company's revival.

Steve Wozniak

The co-founder of Apple who, along with Steve Jobs, started the company in 1976.

Jony Ive

The renowned designer who worked closely with Steve Jobs to shape Apple's iconic product design.

Tim Cook

The current CEO of Apple who took over after Steve Jobs' passing in 2011.

Graham Barlow

The author of the article, who has used Macs in every decade since the 1980s and edited an Apple-focused magazine.

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What they’re saying

“Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”

— Steve Jobs

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, Grocery employee

The takeaway

Despite Apple's growth into a tech giant, the author still feels a sense of being part of an "alternative" community by choosing to use Apple products. The company's ability to maintain that identity and innovative spirit over the course of 50 years is a testament to its enduring appeal and impact on personal computing.