Published from September 1980 through August 1984,[2] it featured articles about hardware and software associated with the Apple II platform and the people and companies who made them.

Unlike other computer magazines that generally focused on a specific, narrow subject matter or market segment (e.g., business applications, games, or professional programming), Softalk gave broad coverage to all parts of the Apple world of the time, from programming tips to game playing, from business to home use, including computing as an industry, a hobby, a tool, a toy, and a culture.

Bert Kersey, Beagle Bros, was one columnist; as were Doug Carlston, co-founder of Broderbund software; Mark Pelczarski, founder of Penguin Software; Bill Budge, creator of Pinball Construction Set; and Bill Depew, creator of Apple 21 and Magic Window.

In its 48 influential months, the original Softalk readership grew from 30,000 names loaned by Apple Computer Inc. to 250,000 readers.

In its third and fourth years, Softalk achieved a place on the Folio 400 list of the nation's largest magazines.