1976 was before the personal computer revolution really got going. That would happen the following year with the release of systems like the Commodore PET, Apple 2, Atari 400/800, and TRS-80. However, Byte was already covering computers for hobbyists and other small systems users. The July 1976 issue includes:

Foreground

Coincident Current Ferrite Core Memories - An introduction to core memory and some info about using it in your own projects.

Explore an 8080 With Educator-8080 - A type in program for 8080 based machines meant to demonstrate the functions of a computer.

The "Ignorance is Bliss" TV Drive Circuit - A guide to building a TV interface that will turn your TV into a terminal.

Why Wait? Build a Fast Cassette Interface - The cassette was the first common mass storage device for small computers. This article describes how to build an interface that operates at 110 baud.

_{Table of Contents from the July 1976 issue of Byte}

Background

Assembling a Sphere - A guide to building the "SYS2/KIT - Intelligent", a kit computer based on the Motorola 6800 processor.

Machine Language Programing For the "8008" - Chapter 1 - This chapter from the above named book covers the 8008 instruction set.

Put The "Do Everything" Chip in Your Next Design - A guide to to using the TMS-5501 chip in your own designs. This chip provides an asynchronous communications interface, parallel data IO buffer, interrupt control logic, and five programmable interval timers.

Surplus Electronics In Tokyo and Manila - A summary of this author's experiences searching for surplus electronic components in Tokyo, Japan in October 1975 an Manilla, Philippines in November 1975.

Make Your Own Printed Circuit - Some techniques for creating your own printed circuit boards.
A Plot Is Incomplete Without Characters - Basic concepts of character generation along with techniques for saving memory space.

Nucleus

The Trend Toward Hassle Free Products - Up to this point, if you wanted a personal computer, you generally had to build, if not design your own. However, that was all starting to change.