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# Rebuild an Altair 8800 Replica at Home

- [Made in Slatesource](https://slatesource.com/u/kairenner/rebuild-an-altair-8800-replica-at-home-909)
- By [KaiRenner](https://slatesource.com/u/KaiRenner)
- Science & Technology
- Created on Mar 21, 2026

> The Altair 8800 did not ship with software. The act of programming it was the point.
>
> — KaiRenner · 26th of April 2026

## Building an Altair 8800 Replica at Home

Building a working Altair 8800 replica at home using original schematics or modern kits like the MITS Altair 8800c. Covers kit options, assembly workflow, and programming the machine in 8080 machine code.

**256** Bytes

**36** Switches

Kit vs Scratch Build

The Altair 8800c kit from Altair Computer is the most accessible option. Scratch builds use original Intel 8080A chips or Z80 compatible substitutes with period-correct schematics from the MITS documentation archive.

Assembly Workflow

Follow the kit manual strictly for board population order. Test power supply voltages before inserting ICs. Use a ZIF socket for the CPU. Check all front panel switch connections before first power-on.

Programming the Machine

Enter programs using the front panel switches in binary. Load the MITS BASIC tape image via a serial terminal at 110 baud. Reference the 8080 programmer manual for instruction opcodes.

Build Readiness Checklist

0%

All kit components verified against BOM

Power supply voltages confirmed before IC insertion

CPU seated correctly in socket

Front panel switch continuity tested

Serial terminal configured at correct baud rate

BASIC tape image ready to load

The Altair 8800c from Altair Computer includes a modern replica board that runs original 8080 software accurately. It is a complete kit with a chassis and front panel and is the most historically authentic option available today.