All images and video clips herein are Copyright ©
1996,1997,1998,1999,2000,2001 James Willing
Permission is granted for reproduction for non-commercial use
only with inclusion of the above copyright notice. Any other use is prohibited
without written permission from the copyright owner.
MITS Altair 8800
Introduced: January 1975
Price at Introduction: $395.00
Standard Memory: 256 bytes
The first commercially available personal computer!
Dinky switches, a marginally rated power supply, and a 4 slot mother board! And
by the way... it only came as a kit! YOU have to put it together! (unless you
wanted to wait 6-8 months for an assembled unit)
If you have the seen the Smithsonian video history of the Microcomputer Industry segment with Bill Gates, you have seen this machine in operation! (without the floppy drive) This unit was loaned to Microsoft for the Smithsonian interview while I was restoring an 8800b system for them. (more on that later...)
I could easily tell when I was starting to stress the power supply in this unit, as the inside of the unit would illuminate as the main power supply fuse would start to glow!
The floppy drive seen below the CPU in the first picture is a separate (and optional unit) but they look good together so I kept them both in the picture.
MITS Altair 8800a
New switches, an uprated power supply, and an 18 slot motherboard
MITS Altair 8800b
A new look, a smarter front (programmers) panel, a power supply you could
nearly weld with, and an 18 slot motherboard
MITS Altair 8800b(t)
The "turnkey" ("turkey" according to some service
technicians) model... all the computer, but without all the lights and
switches... (no personality!)
Also occasionally referred to as the 'OEM' model... Frequently seen in later days mounted in a desk and configured with a PERTEC 5MB hard drive (14 inch platters and a separate cabinet which contained the controller) and marketed as the "PERTEC Business Computer System" (hmmm... I've got a picture around here somewhere of one of those...)
Altos 586-40A
(details/pictures to follow)
Altos ACS 8000-2
(details to follow)
AMF 'Magic Score' Automatic Bowling Scoring System
Introduced: ??? 1976
Price at Introduction: $??,???.00
(pictures to follow)
Ok... my obsession with bowling is sneaking (?) out again, but this item qualifies for the collection for a number of reasons. It is over 10 years old (so it is a classic), it is microprocessor based (it actually has a few of them), and it is unique in its use of an accoustic (sonar like) sensor array to detect and count standing pins.
Consisting of the 'Bowlers Console', the 'Pinsetter Interface', and the 'Accusonic Sensor Array', it is capable of stand-alone operation but is usually controlled from a 'front desk' control unit that was networked to the console units via a propriatary interface in a 'star' configuration.
Scoring information is displayed on a pair of standard black and white composite video monitors mounted either from the ceiling (large monitors) or on the bowlers console desk (smaller monitors). The system has no graphics capability so scoring information is limited to alpha-numeric characters with the 'scorecard' outlined in block characters.
While rather primitive compared to the units currently found in many bowling centers, the Magic Score was a laudable first effort and fairly reliable, expecially when you consider the environment that the equipment is expected to operate in. Even today, the Magic Score equipment can still be found in use at some older centers.
Apple II
Introduced: April 1977 (at the 1st West Coast Computer Faire)
First Availability: June 1977
Price at Introduction: $1,298.00
Standard Memory: 4k
(pictures and details to follow)
If you ever run into Jim Warren (founder of the West Coast Computer Faire), ask him to tell you the story of the two scruffy guys who approached him in early 1977 offering to trade him stock in their start-up company for booth space at the Computer Faire. He declined by the way... (but he still has a sense of humour about it)
The prototype unit displayed at that early show created the biggest buzz seen in the business up to that time.
Apple II+
Introduced: June 1979
Price at Introduction: $1,195.00
Standard Memory: 48k
One of the first computers to incorporate input (keyboard), output (video text and color graphics), and offline storage (cassette tape) in a single unit. This unit shown with the optional 5 1/4 inch floppy disk drives (112kb or 140kb each depending on firmware revision).
Apple IIc
Introduced: April 1984
Price at Introduction: $1,295.00
(pictures and additional details to follow)
80 column display capability, built in 5.25 inch diskette drive, mouse and printer ports, and a game port. The first real 'portable' entry in the Apple II line.
Apple IIc Plus
Introduced: September 1988
Price at Introduction: $1,099.00
(pictures and additional details to follow)
A 3.5 inch built-in diskette drive, integral power supply, improved sound capabilities, and more... A significant improvement over the IIc interms of function and convienence.
Apple IIe
Introduced: January 1983
Price at Introduction: $1,395.00
(pictures and details to follow)
The first model in the Apple II line with an integral option for 80 column video.
Apple IIgs ('Woz' Signature Edition)
Introduced: September 1986
Price at Introduction: $999.00
(pictures and details to follow)
Apple IIgs (Standard Edition)
Introduced: September 1986
Price at Introduction: $999.00
(pictures and details to follow)
Apple III
Introduced: September 1980
Price at Introduction: $3,495.00
Standard Memory: 128k
The first 'corporately designed' system from Apple, and the first major flop! The Apple III was plagued with compatability and reliability problems from the start. Poor quality IC sockets, and equally poor airflow in the case caused many problems, some of which generated some very odd solutions. Perhaps the most famous (infamous?) was the service bulletin advising that some intermittant problems could be corrected by lifting the front of the unit 3-4 inches, and dropping it! Even more curious was that this usually worked! But this exercise did little for the units reputation.
Apple III+
Introduced: December 1983
Price at Introduction: $2,995.00
Standard Memory: 256k
The Apple III+ (lower price, more memory, many internal fixes/updates) was the final effort to address the problems and save the line. It failed. In April 1984, only 4 months after the introduction of the Apple III+, the line was killed.
Apple Lisa
Introduced: January 1983
Price at Introduction: $9,995.00
Standard Memory: 1mb
The predecessor to the Macintosh on which most of the major developments were based.
This machine had its genesis in a visit the Steve Jobs made to the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (P.A.R.C.) where he saw a demonstration of the Xerox 'Alto'. The Alto was the first machine to have a fully implemented, mouse driven, graphical user interface (G.U.I.)
The LISA may have actually been a better machine than the early Macintosh, but it was very expensive to manufacture and did not sell in the needed volumes. Not too long before the final demise of this design, it received some ROM and display hardware changes to allow it to run Macintosh software and was redesignated the "Macintosh XL". Following this change, the unit began to sell in volumes that surprised Apple executives, but were still not enough to save the line.
The LISA/Mac XL line was finally discontinued in mid-1984.
Apple Macintosh
Introduced: January 1984
Price at Introduction: $2,495.00
Standard Memory: 128kb
(pictures and details to follow)
The Macintosh (with 128k of memory)
Apple Macintosh 'Plus'
Introduced: January 1986
Price at Introduction: $2,599.00
Standard Memory: 1mb
The follow up machine to the original Macintosh (with 128k of memory) and the so called "Fat Mac" (with 512k memory). The 'Plus' was the first of the Macintosh line to allow memory expantion through the use of SIMM memory. Prior to this all memory was soldered to the main logic board. The 'SE' is usually found with from 1mb to 4mb of memory.,
Apple Macintosh 'SE'
Introduced: March 1987
Price at Introduction: $2,898.00 (dual floppy version)
The first of the Macintosh line to 'officially' support an internal hard drive. Prior to this all hard drives were either external to the system unit, or were third party internal units somewhat grudgingly accepted by Apple.
Apple Macintosh 'II'
Introduced: ????? 1988
Price at Introduction: $?,???.00
(pictures and details to follow)
The Mac gets big, and gets slots. The Macintosh II arrives on the scene in a 'PC' size desktop case and has the then new "NuBus" expantion slots for add-on cards.
Based on the Motorola 68020 microprocessor, and bringing support for color displays, the Mac II sets the new standard for the Macintosh line. (for a time...)
Apple Macintosh 'IIfx'
Introduced: March 1990
Price at Introduction: $?,???.00
(pictures and details to follow)
The first real 'orphan' of the Macintosh line. Based on a 40mHz version of the 68030 microprocessor, Apple selected a rather odd 64 pin SIMM memory module for this unit that was never used again in any other Apple computer. This caused the unit to be unusually expensive to upgrade as the rest of the Macintosh II series of computers returned to more common configurations of memory.
Apple Macintosh Portable
Introduced: ???
Price at Introduction: $?,???.00
(pictures and details to follow)
Yep, really. Standard sized keyboard, built in trackball for a mouse, and LCD screen
Apple Newton
Introduced: ???
Price at Introduction: $?,???.00
If you have looked at the popular USR/3-Com 'Palm-Pilot' (or similar units), and ever wondered what the genesis of the modern PDA (Pocket Digital Assistant) was, (aside from a 'StarTrek episode) this was it.
Unfortunately, the unit suffered from being somewhat under-powered (CPU wise), limited in expantion capabillity, and very expensive! But most of all, it suffered from far too much advance marketing hype! The handwriting recognition capabilities (the most hyped thing in the advance marketing) were much more limited than had been implied, and somewhat tempermental to boot!
Later versions began to address these shortcomings, but by then the damage was done. At one point the 'Newton' division was spun off from Apple Computer into a stand-alone business in an attempt to make inroads into the market, only to later be re-absorbed by Apple and then disbanded.
Atari 1040STf
Introduced: January 1986
Price at Introduction: $995.00 w/monochrome monitor - $1,195.00 w/color monitor
Standard Memory: 1MB
(details to follow)
AT&T UNIX PC
(aka: AT&T 7300, AT&T 3B1)
(pictures to follow)
AT&T's attempt to 'civilize' UNIX for the masses. (it failed)
Despite a very sleek design, a fairly friendly 'shell', and a decent processor (a 68010), it was hobbled by a number of factors (CPU driven bit-mapped display, insufficient expandability, cost) and quickly fell out of the public's eye. In the same timeframe, other competitors entered the market with similar UNIX based systems (Fortune Systems being one notable example) with better performance, better multiuser support, and lower costs.
The unit sold for nearly $10,000US at introduction, though the price dropped quickly in an attempt to build a following, and a 'humpback' version (which gained the '3B1' designation) was released to address the expandability issue (allowed use of full height hard drives), but a general lack of software and multiple missed dates for software releases and other improvements quickly led to the units demise.
Bell and Howell Educational Computer (Apple II+)
(pictures to follow)
Manufactured by Apple Computer for Bell and Howell, and jet black to boot! Aside from that, a pretty standard Apple II+.
Some (later) units came equipped with a 'barbell' on the back which provided connectors for audio, video, power, additional outlets, and most importantly of all (to some), a cabinet lock! This locked the case top onto the unit to prevent students (or whoever) from rooting around inside of the units. The connectors on the 'barbell' were also much more rugged than the standard connectors on the unit, which was much better suited for educational use where things were likely to be connected and disconnected quite frequently.
This unit was widely seen in schools, and was for a time supplied as the core of a Bell Howell computer training correspondance course.
Byte Shops Incorporated 'Byt-8'
(details & pictures to follow)
An entry from one of the first computer stores on the scene. This 8080 based unit was available with or without a programmers console (front panel).
And those who tried to do any serious work on the front panel equipped version of this machine, never again complained about the little switches on the early Altairs. Why? Well... you see on the Byt-8 the entire programmers console (lights & switches) were packed (crammed?) into an area of about 2.5 by 5 inches!
The example unit shown here does not have the programmers console. I do have a catalog showing one however, and I'll add a picture soon to illustrate.
Commodore 'PET' Model 4032
And its still got the original PET keyboard layout that you learn to love to hate!
Commodore 'PET' Model 8032
This model has a more standaridized keyboard layout...
Commodore 'Vic-20'
Introduced: June 1980
Price at Introduction: $???.00
Standard Memory: ??? bytes
(pictures and details to follow)
Nearly everyone knows this critter...
Commodore 64
Introduced: ??? 19??
Price at Introduction: $???.00
Standard Memory: 64k bytes
(pictures and details to follow)
Commodore 128
Introduced: ??? 19??
Price at Introduction: $???.00
Standard Memory: 128k bytes
(pictures and details to follow)
Commodore 'Plus/4'
Introduced: ???? 198?
Price at Introduction: $???.00
Standard Memory: 64k bytes
(pictures and details to follow)
Compaq Portable 'Plus'
The better known of the "suitcase" computers, and probably the most popular for its time. Similar to the progression of the IBM PC into the XT with the addition of a larger power supply and a hard drive, so too progressed the Compaq portable.
This is the most recent vintage system in the collection, and will most likely be the stopping point of the collection with regard to the current "P.C." age as I prefer to concentrate on the systems that lead up to this point. (of course, many who know me would comment that they have heard that all before...)
Cromemco Z-2
(details to follow)
The size of a small tank, and built like one! This unit was built to address the needs of the industrial market, but did one better! The Z-2 line was the first commercially marketed microcomputer certified for use by the U.S. Navy for use aboard ship without major modification.
The unit featured a 22 slot S-100 bus, reinforced card cage with retaining bar, and a hefty power supply. Later versions of this unit provided for the mounting of two 5 1/4 inch disk devices (floppies, or floppy and hard drive) into the front panel.
Computer Automation 'Naked Mini'
"What this world needs is a good $995.00 computer"
--- Original advertising slogan
In the classic tradition of the Apple I, you gave them your money, and they gave you a PC (Printed Circuit) board. No case, no power supply, no keyboard, no display... But you did get a manual! The rest, was up to you!
(speaking of manuals, I don't have one for this... Can you help?)
Digital PDP-11/03
The Q-bus based version of the classic PDP-11 architecture computer.
Digital Micro PDP-11/23+
(details to follow)
Digital PDP-11/73
(details to follow)
Digital MicroVax II
One of the large "business" configurations of the MicroVAX II series, this example includes a TS-05 9-track tape drive (at the top of the unit) and an RA-81 450Mb fixed disk drive (bottom bay). The actual CPU chassis is located at the upper center of the unit, with an expantion chassis mounted immediately below it which also holds a TK-50 cartridge tape drive.
This unit is configured to support 16 users on a time-sharing basis under the VAX/VMS operating system.
Digital MicroVAX II/GPX
The Q-bus based version of the classic VAX (Virtual Address eXtention)
architecture computer.
This configuration of the MicroVAX II was intended as a single-user graphics workstation rather than as a multi-user host. Equipped with a multi-plane graphic accellerator, keyboard, 3-button (hockey puck style) mouse, and a hi-resolution 21 inch monitor it could fill this role quite effectively.
Digital MINC-11
Introduced: ???
Price at Introduction: $?,???.00
An LSI-11/03 based system, with RX02 floppy drive subsystem and a lab systems interface chassis, this highly configurable system was one of the later variants of the 'MINC' line that started back in the PDP-8 days (or before). This particular unit is also eqipped for connection to the DEC RL01/02 series cartridge disk drive.
Outfittable with a number of real-time, measuring, analog, and control modules connected to an extended Q-bus, this unit was frequently found in laboratory environments. The optional (but very common) integrated cart made the system easily transportable.
It is most often found running a variant of DECs RT-11 operating system with additional drivers for the various lab modules.
Digital VAXstation 2000
Vax ala lunchbox!
This unit is increasingly popular among DEC hobbiests and collectors, not so much as a computer but as a disk formatter! Unlike its larger brethren, the VAXstation 2000 is capable of formatting (for DEC compatabillity) both floppy disks and hard drives by console command through its on-board ROM Monitor code. Most other VAX systems require the booting of diagnostic routines that were only made available to DEC Field Service Engineers. To this day DEC (generally) refuses to make the higher level diagnostics available to mere mortals...
(additional details to follow...)
Digital VT-180 (aka: Robin) Terminal/Computer
Introduced: 1981
Price at Introduction: $?,???.00
Based on the venerable VT-100 series terminal, this Z-80 based system running the CP/M operating system (or 'control monitor' if you prefer), was another of DEC's interesting attempts at creating a 'personal computer'.
Able to function as a video terminal or computer, the VT-180 supports up to four, 5.25 inch single-sided floppy drives in external cabinet(s) for storage, and provides three programmable serial ports for communications, printer support, and general purpose use.
There was even the random rumour that MP/M had been ported to the 'Robin' once upon a time... Anyone ever seen a set of those disks???
Exidy Sorcerer
Introduced: 19??
Price at Introduction: $?,???.00
(Pictures to follow)
Z-80 based, with built in video and Cassette interface.
The "Fergeson" Single Board Computer
(details/pictures to follow)
Looking stylish in it's (obviously) home-brew case, with two Shugart SA-800 eight-inch floppy drives (remember when these cost a lot?), and power supply. This completely integrated Z-80 based computer includes keyboard (parallel) port, two serial ports, a video output (for the integrated 24x80 display), and single density disk controller. (241kb per drive) Just add keyboard and monitor and you are ready to fly! (anyone got a manual set and a CP/M boot disk for one of these?)
Group/Dialog Systems 'Voting/Survey System'
(exact model number currently unknown)
(details/pictures to follow)
"Audience, lock in your votes, now!"
--- Becoming a very tired joke on "America's Funniest Home
Videos"
This microprocessor based unit was designed for private voting/surveying in groups of up to 99 participants. Each participant would have one of the entry devices at their seat, and would cast their vote by selecting a number from 0 to 9 on the rotary switch contained in each unit.
At the given time, the unit would poll all of the units (a process which takes about 3 seconds) and display the results on the neon display on the control unit.
The control unit can also retain and recall the results of the last 9 votes, blank the display if desired, and do automatic polling updates every four seconds.
Provision was also made for connection of the control unit to an external display or computer for added flexability.
Heathkit ET-3400a Microcomputer Trainer
Heathkit's entry into the personal/training computer field.
(pictures and details to follow)
Heathkit H-8
Heathkit's entry into the personal/training computer field.
Heathkit H-11
A joint project between Digital and Heathkit. Basically a PDP-11/03 (ok, LSI-11/03 if you prefer), but just different enough to make it difficult. Using the standard Digital PDP-11/03 CPU board, a series of Heathkit designed expantion boards and sub-systems, and a somewhat mutated version of the Digital RT-11 operating system (dubbed HT-11), it was a good introduction to 16 bit computing but you would be amazed at how many of these units soon found themselves full of more "standard" Dec boards and software...
Heathkit H-11a
OK, pop quiz time! Originally, the only obvious difference bewteen the Heath 'H-11' and the 'H-11a' was an additional control switch on the front panel. However, I've reciently come into a unit with only the original two switches that is also badged as an 'H-11a'. So, does anyone know what the 'party line' is on the difference between the two units???
Heathkit HERO-1 Robot
Introduced: ???
Price at Introduction: $?,???.00
The first "mobile" personal computer? The Heath Educational RObot (H.E.R.O.) is based on the Mororola 6808 microprocessor, and when fully equipped carried a speech synthesizer, light, sound, and motion sensors, and a 2-axis arm capable of gripping and lifting a few ounces. Input to the robot was done from the keypad on the head and through a "Teaching Pendant". Primary output was through a 6 digit display on the head.
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| Speech and Sense Boards | I/O Board | Power Supply and Sonar Boards |
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| Arm Drive and Main Drive Boards | Display Board | RF Receiver and Decoder Boards |
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| Experimental Board | CPU Board | Arm (image to follow) |
This unit was eventually followed by the Hero Jr. and the Hero-2000 before the line of robots was eventually discontinued.
Heathkit HERO Jr. Robot
Introduced: ???
Price at Introduction: $?,???.00
"Your Personal Robot" (tag line from a Heathkit ad for the HERO
Jr.)
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| Wireless Remote and Owner's Manual | RoBytes Program Cartridge | |
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| Control Keypad | Movement, Ranging, and Light Sensors | Front View |
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| Askew View | Sense and CPU Boards | Sensors and Keypad Boards |
Similar in appearance to the HERO-1, (sharing a chassis and primary drive parts and the identical Motorola 6808 CPU) but with a notably different design and marketing philosophy originating in the consumer products division of Heathkit rather than in the educational products division where the HERO-1 and HERO-2000 originated.
The HERO Jr. features a number of resident "Personalities" which activate randomly when the robot is not performing some specific task or function, some of which include wandering about, spouting poetry, issuing verbal reminders of special dates, acting as a security guard, (with the optional capability to trigger a wireless alarm system) or rambling on in a tongue dubbed "Roblish".
A notable feature is the cartridge slot on the robots head where ROM cartridges can be inserted with additional firmware which can either extend the robots resident programming or add completely new functionality including a number of games. About twelve of the "Robytes" cartridges were distributed by Heathkit before the line was discontinued.
One peculiar (but common) option for the HERO Jr. is it's four-button remote control. Much less sophisticated that the remote options for the HERO-1 or HERO-2000, in operation it resembles the controls of inexpensive remote control toy cars. One button is a 'forward-stop-reverse-stop' function, one button is turn, and so on... Odd perhaps, but probably in keeping with its design philosophy of being an uncomplicated to operate 'companion'.
All in all, while the HERO Jr. is less sophisticated than the HERO-2000 or even the HERO-1 (most notably in the lack of any type of arm or manipulator) it does fit it's role as a "Personal Entertainment Robot" quite admirably, and has become a welcome addition to the HERO family in the Garage.
Heathkit HERO-2000 Robot
Introduced: ???
Price at Introduction: $?,???.00
A microprocessor on wheels? How about 11 of them!
(microprocessors that is... not wheels)
The H.E.R.O. 2000 was Heathkit's most serious (and most complex) foray into the 'educational robotics' field. Each motor and sensor in the '2000 has its own 8042 microprocessor overseeing its operation. The robot also has a 5MHz 8088 microprocessor that serves as the central control for the unit. Programmable in a modified form of the BASIC language through the built-in RS-232 serial ports or the optional remote 'RF' console (shown above), and with 24k of memory as a standard configuration programming the HERO-2000 could be learned/taught with relative ease.
As with the HERO-1, the '2000 has sensors for sound, light, and ranging (sonar), as well as a voice/sound synthesizer. It also added a second ranging (sonar) sensor on top of the unit which with the aid of a microprocessor controlled 'reflector' provides a 360 degree 'view' for the robot without the need to rotate its torso or body.
The arm on the '2000 provides a great deal more functionality and flexability than the arm on the HERO-1. With a greater range of motion and a larger payload capacity (up to about 1 pound) it does a better job of reflecting the capabilities of industrial type robotic arms. The gripper on the arm also provides feedback on the force being expended against any item being held, so with proper programming more delicate items could be manipluated without fear of damage (to the item or the robot)
The size and structure of the robot also provided expantion possibilities signifcantly beyond that of the HERO-1 and HEROjr. Memory could be expanded up to 584k, and a disk drive supported under a modified version of MS-DOS could be added for program loading and storage. Memory expantion boards also provided for the additional of additional EPROMS containing demonstration or user-generated code for immediate access. The expantion bus in the robot was fully documented and prototyping (experimenter) boards were available for designing and testing your own options.
One of the more interesting (and somewhat tempermental) options for the unit added an "automatic docking" function to the robot which allowed it to automatically locate and connect to its charging station when the batteries began to run low. This option added a new sensor and EPROM based code to the robot, and a set of sensors to the (standard) battery charger (docking station). The robot in the collection has this option installed, but has seen limited success in running it so far... (but I will admit, I have not put a great of work into tuning it to date...)
Both of the robots in the collection make regular appearances when the 'Garage goes on the road, and are always a great hit with the audiences. The HERO-2000 is known to play a mean game of Tic-Tac-Toe!
Hewlett Packard 85B Desktop Computer
Desktop computer or oversized RPN calculator???
(pictures and details to follow)
With its built in display and printer, and (limited) audio output capability, the HP 85 line offered the most commonly desired options, while allowing for reasonably simple expantion through a rear system (cartridge based) bus.
An HPIB (IEEE-488) I/O interface was available for connecting external peripherals and storage devices, and the ROM based operating system (a variant of HP BASIC) could be expanded by plugging in an expandable ROM cartridge into the system bus. ROMs were available to add extended functions to the OS, support mass storage devices (disk/tape), plotters, and other devices. Memory could also be added via cartridge to pervious models (the 85B came with the full compliment).
Hewlett Packard 120 Desktop Computer
(pictures and details to follow)
Introduced: ???
Price at Introduction: $?,???.00
IBC "Super Cadet"
Z-80 based multi-user system. Ran OASIS or THEOS as primary operating system. This particular system was configured to support 16 users.
IBM PC Model 5150
Introduced: August 1981
Price at Introduction: $1,995.00
Standard Memory: 16k bytes
(more pictures to follow)
Yes, the creature from Boca! The beginning of the end for the first age of the personal computer.
Initially introduced with a massive (insert many smilies here!) 16k of memory, (expandable to 64k on the main board) monochrome (green) display capable of only rudimentary line-character graphics, a cassette I/O port for program storage, and a price tag just under $2000.00US, this machine set the bar for the second age of the personal computer.
Note: the pictured unit has the IBM floppy disk upgrade installed.
The basic machine had no I/O capability beyond its keyboard, display, and cassette data port, but it did seem to have two things going for it... You did not have to build it, and it had a name tag - I.B.M.
However, it did come with some baggage associated with its parentage... Add-on items (memory, floppy drives, etc.) cost a lot! And IBM did not want to tell you anything about the machine.
The prime example of this was the 40 pin socket located next to the 8088 microprocessor. While it was generally accepted that this socket was destined for the 8087 math co-processor that Intel had developed as a companion to the 8086/8088 microprocessors, IBM went out of their way to deny this and warn (in no uncertain terms) that should you ever plug something into this socket it would bring death and destruction to your poor unsuspecting computer. (not to mention that it would void your warranty)
Perhaps its saving grace was that the specification for the expantion bus was made available and this allowed the rapid development of third-party add-on cards that were compatable with the unit. Once that began, the march to fully compatable 'clones' was inevitable. (in a rapid repeat of the history that surrounded the 'Altair')
IBM PC/Jr.
(more pictures to follow)
As if the CMI Drive in the IBM AT system did not do enough to almost single handedly destroy this company, IBM then brought us this!
Intended to be a low-cost entry into the PC world, the PC/Jr. featured a wireless 'chiklet' keyboard, and just enough incompatabilities with the original IBM PC to guarantee hours of frustration to both programmers and users alike. (did anyone back in Florida ever try to type on this thing before they released it???)
Expanding the unit was an amusing proposition, as there was almost no internal expantion capability. Expantion came in the form of "expantion modules" (or "sidecars" as they were frequently referred to) which literally bolted onto the side of the unit. If you needed more expantion, bolt on more "sidecars"!
A frequently told story around the IBM ranks suggested that the genesis of the PC/Jr. came one evening at one of the local watering holes for IBM staffers near the Boca Raton facility. Seems like the ongoing rivalry between engineering and marketing may have been enhanced by a few brewskys, and one marketing staffer has heard to utter the now infamous boast: "Engineering can't design a machine so bad that we (marketing) can't sell a million of them!" Obviously, the bet was taken up by engineering. In Our Humble Opinion - Engineering won!
IBM PC/RT-150
(pictures and details to follow)
IBM's attempt to bring the RISC processor technology and UNIX into the "PC" marketplace... It flopped.
Being yet another shining example of IBM's classic 'box' styling, it sure would not have made on aestethics alone! To coin a possible 'DogBert-ism': "This critter put the 'DUH' in DULL!" Maybe if it had been black instead of IBM classic beige/grey
IBM System/23 "DataMaster"
Dedicated office system. Normally provided with accounting and work processing applications. Hinted to also run BASIC by some of the documentation!
IMSAI 8080
The machine that marked the start of the Clone Wars. Intended to avoid all of
the weaknesses of the original Altair systems, this unit came out of the gate
with a massive power supply, a 22 slot motherboard, and a front (programmers)
panel with a masked display, large switches, and an upper cover that
could have been used to armour a tank!!
Intel MCS-85 System Design Kit
Introduced: 1978
Price at Introduction: $?,???.00
An 8085 based single-board developers unit. (more details to follow)
Intel MDS-225
Introduced: ????
Price at Introduction: $?,???.00
A MultiBus based development system. This unit is also equipped with an 'ICE-41' (In Circuit Emulator) module. (more details to follow)
Kaypro II
(pictures to follow...)
From Non Linear Systems... One of the early answers to the shortcomings of the Osborne line of portable CP/M based systems, the Kaypro II came with a 9 inch monochrome (black and white) 80 x 25 character display, and a metal case. (more to follow)
Kaypro 4
(pictures to follow...)
From Non Linear Systems... (more to follow)
Kaypro 10
(pictures to follow...)
From Non Linear Systems... The first of the Kaypro line to come standard with a (then huge) 10Mb hard drive. (more to follow)
Mattel 'Aquarius' computer
(pictures and details to follow)
Pulled nearly as soon as it hit the market...
Molecular Computer SBC (Single Board Computer)
Proves that once again, you always have to look under the covers to find the hidden treasures...
This extremely compact Z-80 based unit was found mounted inside of an Heathkit H-19 terminal with a US Robotics 1200 bps modem fastened to the inside of the shell with double-sided tape. Just exactly what it and the modem were doing in there is yet to be seen, but it was one of the more interesting finds of late.
The unit features a 4MHz Z-80, 64k of memory, a 16k eprom, (feel some memory paging tricks coming on?) plus a serial and parallel controller. (two RS-232 serial ports and one parallel port) Appears to be a dedicated controller of some sort, as there appears to be no disk capability.
Really do need to dump that eprom and see just what this thing was doing in there...
Morrow 'Micro-Decision' computer
(pictures and details to follow)
A later model entry into the CP/M based computer market... It provided a compact CPU cabinet with two built-in drives, a video terminal, and a software package (usually made up of CP/M, BASIC, WordStar, and some utilities) that were preconfigured for the unit. This was a fairly dramatic change from the norm where it was most common for the user (or the dealer) to have to do all of the software configurations before the unit could be really useful.
Most particularly in the case of WordStar, which was one of the first screen oriented (as opposed to the more common line oriented editors) word processing programs to make a serious attempt at providing a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) interface. (even allowing for the limitations of a text only display interface)
NeXT 'Cube'
Brilliant design innovation, or the ultimate realization of the classic
computer joke about 'Black Boxes'?
From the (co- ?) mind that brought us the Apple...
This unit features the NeXT monochrome display (a color display upgrade was available), magneto-optical drive, internal SCSI hard drive, and (coax) ethernet network interface. Digital audio capability is provided through connectors on the monitor. This unit runs the NeXT Step operating system which is a UNIX derivative.
NeXTStation (aka 'the slab')
Then, what happens when you back over the 'Cube' with the family Surburban? ok, not really... But one suspects that people who thought the 'cube' took up too much desk space was behind the genesis of this model from Next Computer.
This unit features the NeXT Megapixel monochrome display, a 3.5 inch floppy drive, internal SCSI hard drive. and ethernet network interface (thinnet and twisted pair). Digital audio capability is provided through connectors on the monitor.
North Star 'Advantage'
North Star's all-in-one system. The 'Advantage' combined the (by now) well known North Star floppy disk sub system with display, keyboard, and expantion slots in a fairly sleek looking cabinet.
North Star 'Horizon'
North Star's entry into the 'box' business. Prior to this North Star had made it's name manufacturing floppy disk subsystem for the Altair (S-100) bus based systems. With the 'Horizon' computer they took their proven disk sybsystem technology, added a Z-80 based processor board and memory boards, plus the first motherboard (in a more or less "standard" S-100 form factor box) to add active components rather than just having a passive backplane.
The Horizon added two serial ports, a parallel port, (sound familiar?) real-time clock (which had a much different meaning back then) and interrupt controller to the motherboard which made the Horizon a very flexible system.
Note: in this realm, "real-time" clock referred to a programmable clock used to generate interrupts rather than keep local "wall-clock" time. Periodic interrupts were used for time-sharing/multi-user operating systems to operate the job-schedulers, and/or in "real-time" applications which needed to execute certain tasks on a scheduled basis regardless of what else the system might be doing.
Aside from running the North Star operating (North Star DOS), Horizon systems were frequently found running OASIS which was one of the early multi-user operating systems that were available for systems based on the Z-80 processor.
OSBORNE 1
Presented for your approval... To all those who believe that the Compaq was the
first (or trendsetting) example of the "suitcase" computer...
The Osborne 1 computer is Z-80 based, has 64k of memory, two 5 1/4 inch single density floppy drives, a 4 inch (!) internal monitor, one serial port and a parallel (more or less) printer port, and runs CP/M. The unit pictured above is the original version.
This example (above) is the second version of the Osborne 1 which has a molded structual plastic case replacing the original vac-u-formed tan case and was somewhat less rigid that might have been needed for a "portable" computer.
For those who prefer not to do their computer work in 'eye-test' mode, there is a provision on the system for connection of an external monitor.
The Osborne series of computers was the brainchild of one Adam Osborne who could probably be credited as the father of the computer gossip column. Known for being quite vocal and opinionated, he wrote regular columns for many of the computer publications and became well known forhis pontifications on how the computer industry should develop.
OSBORNE 'Executive'
(pictures and details to follow)
Adam Osborne's upgrade of the Osborne-1 targeted toward the business user. A larger (amber) screen, higher density 5.25 inch drives, built-in composite video output for connecting large monitors, a more rugged case, and a cooling fan (?!?). Also, the beginning of the end for Osborne Computers as the unit was announced well before it became available, effectively torpedoing sales of the (to that time very successful) Osborne-1 computers.
Following the 'Executive', came the 'Vixen' and Osborne-3 (a portable OEM'd from Morrow) but by then it was too late and Osborne Computers folded soon after.
Otrona 'Attache'
(pictures and details to follow)
The first 'micro-portable'? A full CP/M based system with 24 x 80 characters display, two 5.25 inch drives, keyboard, serial and parallel I/O ports, all in a very compact unit.
Polymorphic Systems 'Poly-88'
Offering 4, S-100 bus slots per unit, if you needed more slots, you could just snap a few of these together!
Originally released as the "Micro-Altair", probably in reference to its substantially smaller size, the name was quickly changed when MITS (manufacturer of the Altair computer) complained.
Polymorphic Systems 8813/2 Computer
Introduced: January, 1978
Price at Introduction: $3,250.00 (/1) $3,840.00 (/2) $4,430.00 (/3)
A later offering from Polymorphics. Not quite sure how they are equipped, (there are a pair of them) or just what they look like as they arrived unopened in their original packaging.
Another of these moral dilemmas. To open, or not to open? And then, which one?
A couple of clues - the model number 8813/2 which suggests two drives, a notation on the box reading "32k", and the serial numbers: 6430 and 6666. (?!?)
Update: based on the 'Haddock' guide, this unit resembles the North*Star Horizon. Wooden cover, up to three mini-floppy drives, looks like it will use a parallel keyboard and an internal video card.
Processor Technology SOL-20 Terminal Computer
For those who wanted a computer, but were not quite prepared to attain the
(then) hallowed states of advanced 'hackerdom' required to get the more common
S-100 based computer into a state of useful functionality.
One of the units in the collection is serial number 86.
This was Processor Technology's entry into the S-100 clone wars. Based in part
on their previous works (the VDM-1 and 3P+S cards and various memory boards)
this was the first major attempt to "civilize" the S-100 computer.
The SOL series of computer incorporated the CPU, a keyboard, video system, and
a cassette storage interface all combined in a fairly nice looking console
unit. (you had to love the oiled walnut side panels - unless you were
assembling it, the smell took a week to subside! Some oils were more pleasant
than others)
But probably the most important innovation was to be found in the so called "Personality Module" (shown below). This was a ROM card than contained the start-up monitor program for the unit. Unlike most of it's predecesors, you did not have to load or key in a loader of any type. You turned the unit on and got a prompt on the screen. From there a few simple commands were all that was needed to get things rolling. While resident monitors were starting to appear as options on some other machines, the SOL was the first to offer it as standard. There were a number of different modules available to support different configurations of peripherals. (and an even larger number that were modified by their owners!)
SOL Personality Modules
The SOL was so popular in its time that it was nearly impossible to get a factory assembled unit. However, an experienced technician (powered by sufficient amounts of Coca-Cola and pizza) could assemble one in a couple of days. Now, just how fast one could be built in an emergency was an entirely different question! We found out one day as it was nearly closing time at the computer store where we worked when one of the saled droids come in and said that they had just sold an assembled system and promised delivery the next day. And as usual he was not in the least impressed when we informed him that there were no assembled units in stock. "Just handle it" was an all too common phrase those days... (wireheads got NO respect!)
Well... after a brief (rather animated) discussion with the store manager, two of us decided to wander off to dinner to discuss what to do. Over burgers and Coke it was decided that indeed, we had always wondered just how quickly one of these things could be built (and remember, it had to work too!), and now was as good a time as any... The challenge was accepted!
We returned to the shop and started to work... From the time we cracked the box open (about 7pm) to the time the unit came to life for the first time (about 6:30am the following morning) it was just the two of us, uncounted Cokes, and overheated soldering irons! Eleven and three-quarter hours later, we left the newly assembled, oiled, (remember the walnut side panels) and packaged machine by the counter with the message... "here is the system, we are going home... don't call us, we'll be in tomorrow! - Jim and Jim"
SOL-20 Main Logic Board
Now, I'm not saying that this is the machine from the story... but judging from the soldering style on the boards I strongly suspect that this is one of the many that I/we assembled...
There was also a 'SOL-10' model, which while identical in appearance from the outside had a smaller power supply and omitted the internal S-100 expantion backplane.
The SOL was also frequently customized for specific applications, most often with custom code in the 'Personality Module', but also as evidenced by a unit that recenrly came through the 'Garage' for some repairs, occasionally with a customized keyboard.
...for those not intimately familiar with the SOL keyboard, normally to either side of the 'space' bar are cursor control keys (arrow keys), and the keypad off to the right side is a numeric keypad rather than a cursor pad as seen here.
Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 1
Introduced: August 1977
Price at Introduction: $???.00
Standard Memory: ??? bytes
(pictures and details to follow)
Seeburg S100 PhonoJet (circa 1970)
Puzzled yet? If you recognize the name or designation, you probably are. If
not, the picture will do it for you.
(pictures to follow)
So... what is this particular entry doing here? Take another look at the designation (model number) and then read on...
This unit shares an interesting trait with some other units shown here. (other than being part of the collection!) Unlike many of it's predecesors and for that matter it's successors which used mechanical means for storing the selections of records to be played, this unit like many in the Seeburg line uses Core Memory!
Computer technology does show up in the most interesting places!
more details to follow...
SouthWest Technical Products Corporation (SWTPC) 6809
SouthWest Tech, known for their varied project kits (like the TV Typewriter) and accessories for the up and coming microcomputers (like their low cost 40 column printer), now ventured into the microcomputer game themselves with the introduction of their SS-50 bus based microcomputer based on the Motorola line of 680x CPUs.
Originally based on the Motorola 6800 microprocessor, later examples (such as the one shown here) moved to different processors in the 680x line. In this example, the unit has a 6809 microprocessor.
Sun 3/50 Workstation
(pictures and details to follow)
Tektronix 4051 Graphics Display Computer
Introduced: October 1975
Price at Introduction: $6,995.00 (base unit)
RS232 Serial Interface: $1,500.00 (2400bps max.)
32kb Memory Expantion: $4,550.00
4631 Hard Copy Unit: $3,895.00
4662 Pen Plotter: $3,995.00
4952 External Joystick: $560.00
From charting and business applications in the office, to fighting against the evil 'Cylon Empire' from the bridge of the 'Battlestar Galactica', (I'll explain that later, but you can check the "Computers in the media" page for a clue) this unit which coupled the proven storage tube graphics of the earlier Tektronix 4000 series of graphic display terminals with a built-in microcomputer with integral BASIC language and tape cartridge storage unit really got around!
New information also suggests that the 4051 was used in the original 'Star Wars' movie to gernerate the X-Wing cockpit graphics of the trench on the 'DeathStar' during the climactic battle scene! Go back and look closely, I think the information is correct!
And, just to prove once again that you have to turn over every rock when you are hunting for old computer equipment... I found this unit (and another largely parted out) under a house (?!?) It is in need of serious TLC, but its worth the effort!
Tektronix 4054A Graphics Display Computer
Introduced: ???
Price at Introduction: $?,???.00
Texas Instruments "Home Computer 99/4a"
Introduced: June 1979 (TI 99/4)
Price at Introduction: $???.00
Standard Memory: ??? bytes
(Details to follow...)
Timex/Sinclair 1000
Maligned by some as a great 'doorstop', the Sinclair (later Timex/Sinclair) line of computers introduced a great number of people to microcomputing. Needing nothing more that a place to plug it in and a monitor or television to display on, this unit was welcomed by many who wanted to work with computers but might not have the times/space/money to have a larger unit.
Program storage was provided by a built-in cassette interface, and a number of educational/utility/entertainment programs were available on cassette.
Vector Graphic 'Vector-1'
Based on the Zilog Z-80 microprocessor, the Vector Graphic line of S-100 bus computers were distinctive (if in no other way) by their choice of colors! White, green, and orange, with large green (sometimes illuminated) power and reset switches.
Xerox 820
(pictures and details to follow)
Xerox 820/II
(pictures and details to follow)
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