[CheneyChick]

First Apple logo:

The apple symbolized simplicity and the bite out of the apple in the later versions symbolized the acquisition of knowledge and also so that it wouldn't look like a tomato. The multi-colored apple was to show off Apple II's color display.

[MrsEmmaPeel]

Ah -- Because Steve Jobs dug the Beatles and asked permission to use the logo and it was agreed, providing that Apple computer didn't go into music. Lawsuits ensued and are still on-going. I *believe* a version of the Beatles Apple Logo had a bite out it.