The KIM-1 was a single-board microcomputer. It came with 1K of RAM and two 6530 ROM-RAM-I/O combination chips equivalent to about 2K of ROM. The KIM-1 used a 23 key keyboard, six LEDs, and could interface with a standard cassette recorder or a teletype machine.

The KIM-1 came assembled for about $245 (up to November 1978). The price was later dropped to a competitive $179.95.

The KIM-1 was originally produced by MOS Technology, which later became part of Commodore. Rockwell International later marketed the KIM-1. Syntertek later produced an improved version called the SYM-1 which had additional features.