The Apple Lisa Resurrected with FPGA: Reviving the First GUI-Based Commercial PC from 43 Years Ago

The Original GUI PC, Apple Lisa, Reborn with FPGA Technology

Released in 1983, the Apple Lisa was the first commercial personal computer to feature a graphical user interface (GUI). While many associate the history of Apple’s GUI-based computers with the Macintosh released in 1984, it was, in fact, the Lisa that pioneered this innovation. Priced at $9,995 at the time (equivalent to around $34,000 today), the Lisa was considered a commercial failure due to its exorbitant cost.

Now, this historic machine has been faithfully recreated by an enthusiast and YouTuber, Alex Anderson-McLeod, using cutting-edge FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) technology. The project is called “LisaFPGA.”

The Design of LisaFPGA: A Single-Board Marvel

The core of LisaFPGA is a Xilinx Artix 7-100T FPGA, which serves as the “brain” of the recreated Lisa. This single-board design integrates 2MB of SRAM, an emulated hard drive, floppy disk, serial ports, and keyboard and mouse connectors.

Anderson-McLeod has shared this project in a video, showcasing the design philosophy and a demonstration of LisaFPGA’s operation.

Modern Features That Surpass the Original

LisaFPGA is more than just a replica—it comes with significant upgrades that take advantage of modern hardware capabilities.

Video Output: Unlike the original Lisa, which required a video converter, LisaFPGA natively supports HDMI output. It even includes a scanline display option to replicate the retro CRT monitor look. Users can switch between two main video modes on the fly with just a toggle.

Input Devices: In addition to original connectors, LisaFPGA is equipped with USB ports, so users don’t need to track down original keyboards or mice. The device also features built-in USB hub functionality, allowing serial communication via the primary USB-C connector, eliminating the need for USB-to-serial adapters or bulky DB25 connectors.

Storage: Floppy disk images can be loaded via an SD card, direct PC connection, or even by connecting an original floppy drive to the board.

Preserving the Original Speed—and Offering a Boost

The original Lisa was notorious for being a slow machine, even by the standards of its time, due to its software design choices and the use of a 5MHz Motorola 68000 CPU. To honor this limitation, Anderson-McLeod incorporated the original speed into LisaFPGA. However, he also added two levels of overclocking, allowing users to boost the speed up to an equivalent of 75MHz by flipping a physical switch.

Open Source and Future Prospects

The current release of LisaFPGA is version 2, but Anderson-McLeod plans to release an updated version 3 with some improvements soon. The project will be fully open-source on GitHub, allowing anyone with FPGA development knowledge to recreate it. He is also considering selling pre-assembled clones for those who lack the technical expertise. Furthermore, he is scheduled to give a presentation about LisaFPGA at the upcoming Vintage Computer Festival Southwest later this month.

How a Commercial Failure Paved the Way for GUI’s Future

Although the Apple Lisa was deemed a commercial failure due to its high price and lack of software support, it played a pivotal role in shaping the future of GUI-based computing. Its unsold inventory of 2,700 units was infamously disposed of in a landfill in Logan, Utah, as a tax write-off.

Yet, the path Lisa paved led directly to the release of the 1984 Macintosh, which brought the GUI to the masses with its more affordable price of $2,459. The Mac became a global success and solidified Apple’s reputation as a leader in innovation.

With LisaFPGA, Anderson-McLeod shines a spotlight back on this groundbreaking but overlooked machine, creating a project that appeals not only to retro computing enthusiasts but also to those interested in the early days of GUI technology.

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FAQ

Q: Can anyone build the Apple LisaFPGA?
A: Anderson-McLeod plans to make the project fully open-source on GitHub, so anyone with knowledge of FPGA development should be able to recreate it. Additionally, he is considering selling pre-assembled boards, which could make it accessible to a broader audience.

Q: Why recreate a 43-year-old computer with FPGA technology?
A: The original Apple Lisa is rare, expensive, and difficult to maintain. Recreating it with FPGA technology allows users to experience the original software environment without worrying about hardware deterioration. It also serves as a way to preserve and explore the origins of GUI technology in computing history.

Q: How does the performance of LisaFPGA compare to the original?
A: While the architecture stays true to the original, the overclocking feature allows the system to run at speeds of up to 75MHz. Additionally, modern upgrades like HDMI output and USB support enhance compatibility with current peripherals.