Originally designed as an educational tool in the 70's it was marketed as the first computer small and cheap enough to be owned by individual consumers. Touted as the first "personal computer" and simple enough that a child could learn to operate they gained contracts with U.S. schools. They had 2 main competitors IBM which focused on business applications and Commodore who focused on entertainment (games and media).
As each improved it's side applications Commodore had trouble in the market as businesses leaned heavier on IBM and
Apple had contracts with the U.S. educational systems. People saw games and media as frivolous and Commodore filed bankruptcy. However
Apple snatched up bits of it and started to develop visual media which is still it's bragging point today.
IBM set it's sights on international markets and set a standard for clones and compatible systems working with
Microsoft they developed the
windows operating system and truly became personal computers globally.
Apple, although making models for individuals, has somehow gone to market as simply "
Apple" all others systems are called
PC (personal computers).
A closer look shows this to be true. IBM compatible computers have programs written by anyone and used by individual preference.
Apple is developed by
Apple, licensed by
Apple and largely slow or incompatible with any other systems They cost 2-3 times more and have a cult like following of hipsters and people who think they know more than everyone else.