Apple II is officially the oldest computer with an actively updated operating system. Sort of.

As the original Apple II turns 40, the fanbase of one of the most popular consumer desktops of all times, is still very strong, with enthusiasts keeping their original machines running after 10 years shy of half a century.

By this token, it’s hardly a surprise that the Apple II is finally getting its first software update since 1993, when a third party operating system designed to run on the Apple II was first launched with the name ProDOS, and with version number 2.0.3. Most recently, Apple enthusiast and coder John Brooks, who has worked in many notable companies including Electronic Arts, has released an update, the first ever, to ProDOS, which pushes the version number up to 2.4, quickly followed by version 2.4.1 at the time of this writing.

For an old timer, the Apple II is getting quite a hefty list of improvements from the update, ranging from performance optimization, a smaller footprint, and improved USB support.

The update also includes a new “Bitsy Bye” program launcher, which is barely 1KB in size, and allows to select multiple hard drives, and files, as well as acting as a rudimentary file manager.

Brooks’s commitment to the Apple II is also motivated by the fact that older computers like the Apple II represent an easier entry point for young people to be interested in coding. While Brooks is admittedly a fan of Raspberry Pi and Arduino, he was quoted saying that they are “...so much more complicated by comparison. I think a throwback to those earlier computers could help people discover coding...”.

For those who do not own an original Apple II, but may still be interested in learning about an era before graphical user interfaces, Brooks’ website offers an in-browser simulator: https://archive.org/details/ProDOS_2_4 for a hands-on experience.

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