一个25美元的芯片，如何引发计算革命？

Core Insights - The introduction of the $25 MOS Technology 6502 processor in 1975 revolutionized the computing industry by making microprocessors affordable for hobbyists and startups, contrasting with the $175-200 price range of competitors like Intel's 8080 and Motorola's 6800 [1][3][6] Group 1: Historical Context - In the 1970s, microprocessors were expensive, limiting access to companies and laboratories, which prompted Chuck Peddle and his team to create a simpler, cheaper CPU [3][8] - The 6502 was first showcased at the WESCON exhibition in 1975, where it gained immediate attention, leading to a significant price reduction from competitors [6][11] Group 2: Design and Features - The 6502 utilized approximately 4,500 transistors, which was 25-40% fewer than its competitors, resulting in a smaller chip size and lower production costs [8][10] - It featured a minimalist architecture with essential components, including an 8-bit accumulator, two index registers, a stack pointer, and a 16-bit program counter, which contributed to its efficiency [8][10] - The instruction set was streamlined, retaining only 56 out of 72 instructions from the Motorola 6800, which improved execution speed despite requiring programmers to use simpler instructions for complex tasks [10][11] Group 3: Impact on the Industry - The 6502 became the preferred processor for early personal computers, being used in products like the Apple I, Apple II, Commodore PET, and Atari 2600, thus democratizing computing [10][11][13] - Its design philosophy foreshadowed the RISC movement, emphasizing simplicity and efficiency, which influenced the development of modern CPU architectures, including ARM [13][14] Group 4: Legacy - The 6502's design principles continue to resonate today, with Western Design Center still producing derivatives of the chip, highlighting its enduring relevance in retro computing and embedded systems [14]