They were really the first mass-produced microcomputer sold as a retail finished product.  No one really gives them credit for that.  Microcomputers in the 1970's were largely a product you bought as components and built into a finished computer yourself.  Even the Apple I was just a motherboard; you had to add all the other parts (like a keyboard) and build a case to put it all in.  A "real" microcomputer would often consist of an S-100 card cage with an 8080 or Z-80 CPU in one slot, some RAM in another, and you'd add your 8-inch disk drives and other things from there.

The initial TRS-80 was basically a cut-down version of that typical design, stuffed into an integrated mainboard/keyboard with a video character generator replacing the RS-232 console port.

So the idea of a microcomputer as a retail finished product was not Apple's innovation.  The genius of Apple was the level of integration packed into a few small chips and 8K of ROM; it was, basically, Steve Wozniak.

And I still wish the desktop computer industry would return to the practice of putting the whole computer into the keyboard.

well, nowadays you just put it into the monitor, which makes more sense imho?

In case anyone cares...

VMware recently released ESXi 6.0 update 2.   I normally don't get excited about hypervisor versions, but there's something new about this one, and those of you who use VMware will understand why this is a welcome change.

This version no longer requires the fat client, to manage a host running in standalone mode.  They now have this thing called the "embedded host client" which is pure HTML5.  This is obviously the framework they're going to use to build the next version of the vCenter web client, which everyone hates because it's clumsy and written in Flash.  But for now, the new version is for managing a single host.  You can do everything through it -- create/modify/delete virtual machines, manage networking and storage, and even run virtual machine consoles -- all without browser plugins.

And it's a lot less clumsy than the old web client.

Probably still not enough to switch my main server away from Linux+KVM, but $WORK is fully committed to VMware so this is a welcome change.

VMWare catches up with Kimchi.  Who would have thought.

https://github.com/kimchi-project/kimchi

I do think that it is good that they have found reason once again.  I won't be switching either I.G., but it is good to know that they do occasionally look at git projects :-)

I was going to the library and using their 3D printer, and from the items that were being printed, I will have to agree.  I created or wanted to print some things of practical use, I entered a contest in design but for most part it was kids printing toys they wouldn't play with.  Maybe after the novelty wears off.

I did print a replacement knob for my mother's blender/food grinder attachment, printed some ice grips for shoes, but it was a mild winter so I didn't get to try them.  I "designed" some game pieces for a game but it didn't take much effort.  A round token with some words on it.  

There is a lot of useful things you can do with it, but I think it is few and far between.

I will disagree on the knob for my mother's blender.  To purchase and ship the replacement part was expensive.  To print it was cheap.  

There are different types of plastics, different types of printers and resources for files to print many objects.  You can print Raspberry Pi cases to custom drone housings, to smart phone cases, etc.  You could even print out 20 sided dice because I know you played Dungeons and dragons as a teen.  They are great, but I don't know how often they will get used at home.

One source (of many)
http://www.myminifactory.com/category/electronics-computers

Now that I think about it, I created a few things that have been useful to me.

I have not logged into Thingieverse in a while, I had several things in my "too make" section that I forgot about.  Somethings I designed but really don't have a use for, such as a pasta maker/roller for a blender.  There is a lot of "good idea" items but just never think about printing them, a wall mount for my electric shaver.  

What brand of printer did you get?   I like the idea of the kits, they send you the minimal hardware, you use another printer to print the needed parts for your machine.  Yes 3D printers can print 3D printers.  

3D printing is super for prototyping, creating molds for small runs, and little bits and bobs. It won't be the future of manufacturing until it hits some big jumps in the tech :) 
The advantage of being able to self-print instead of having to manufacture and then ship.

I have printed small one time parts for a few things.  Cheaper than ordering the replacement from the manufacture.  I have also found the files and printed some good household items that are used daily.   

Here is an example of that put to use.
http://www.thingiverse.com/make:4195

A plastic knob on my mother's mixer broke, the metal screw was fine. I found this, printed it, and fixed it for less than a dollar.  I heated the screw, pushed it into the new knob, the plastic melted and snugly sealed around the metal screw.  I see other people had the same problem.

Mon Apr 11 2016 03:35:32 PM EDT from IGnatius T Foobar @ Uncensored

The truly useful applications of 3D printing will appear when they can print at a molecular level, or at least multiple materials at a super fine pitch.
Until then ... injection molding machines operated by factory workers at $0.11 an hour in China are still a more viable option.

Apparently you think 3D printing can only be and should only be used for mass production.

They have 3D food printers, but that is more artsie-fartsie food fantasy.  Of course soon all fast food will be made by machine.