Systems

Xerox Alto

Also Known As Alto

Experimental Workstation

Citation Formats

General Reference

Computing Atlas. "Xerox Alto." Accessed August 30, 2026. https://dev-computing.interactiveatlas.org/systems/xerox-alto.

APA Style

Computing Atlas. (n.d.). Xerox Alto. Retrieved August 30, 2026, from https://dev-computing.interactiveatlas.org/systems/xerox-alto

BibTeX

@misc{computingatlas-xerox-alto,
  author = {Computing Atlas},
  title = {Xerox Alto},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://dev-computing.interactiveatlas.org/systems/xerox-alto},
  note = {Accessed August 30, 2026}
}

The Xerox Alto is a computer system developed at Xerox PARC in the early 1970s, widely regarded as one of the first workstations or personal computers. It pioneered a graphical user interface, the computer mouse, Ethernet networking, WYSIWYG text editing and multitasking, using a bit mapped display.

Facts

Disputed

Significance

Established foundational concepts for personal computing that directly influenced the Apple Lisa and Macintosh and the broader workstation industry, despite never being sold commercially in large numbers. 1

The article describes the Alto as arguably 'the first personal computer,' but notes the title is disputed, since it was never sold as a commercial product and other machines have competing claims.

Year

1973 1

Cross-Tradition Connections