"Computers developed rapidly in the 1980s
ENIAC, the world's first general-purpose computer, weighs 28 tons and covers an area of 170 square meters. It is a real big Mac. In the next 30 years, the volume of the computer has shrunk by nearly 2000 times, which makes people feel the rapid development of science and technology. In the 1970s, with the use of large-scale and very large-scale integrated circuits for logic components, the volume of computers became smaller and smaller, and the performance became stronger and stronger. At that time, the size of the computer was about the same as that of the current desktop, but in terms of appearance, it fully reflected the Bu, Zhi, Suo and Cuo of that generation.
From the late 1970s to the early 1990s, personal computers experienced a development stage from scratch and from existence to prosperity. It is also at this stage that the shape of the computer has gradually evolved from the exposed circuit board to the shape we see now. There are many excellent products, even advanced design concepts, and of course there are many designs that look very interesting now.
Data General One
At that time, most computers were still in the stage of theory or model. Of course, basic could be run by adding some parts, such as the original apple I. Computers that can be sold are also very expensive. They are not for individuals, but for enterprises. Some manufacturers sell hardware to individuals, such as wameco qm-1a, RCA cosmac VIP, etc. after buying it, it is simply assembled into a complete machine, which is the earliest DIY.
Apple I
RCA COSMAC VIP
The computers in the article mainly appeared between 1972 and 1993, mostly in the 1980s. At that time, there was no unified standard for hardware. On each part, everyone thought what they wanted. As long as they could realize the corresponding functions, these computers had a variety of shapes, long square and irregular shapes. They could stand, lie, carry, and even handheld devices. They could not refuse to accept the scene of a hundred flowers blooming.
Integrated machine for cleaning water
At that time, the mainstream computers were not separated from the host and display, but a proper all-in-one machine. The keyboards were embedded in the machine and were basically not equipped with a mouse. Earlier machines had built-in magnetic tapes (then hard disks), which were gradually replaced by floppy drives. With the gradual expansion of computers to the field of personal consumption, the display has changed from the initial led to CRT, and the size is getting larger and larger, so it has some of the appearance of computers in our impression.
HP 9100A
Wired magazine once regarded HP 9100a (1968) as the world's first personal computer, and HP claimed to be "the world's first programmable scientific desktop calculator". Yes, HP said it was a calculator. At that time, many computer brick makers refused to call 9100a a a computer for the simple reason that it was brainless because it didn't look like IBM. HP was also very helpless, "well, this is a calculator", and then everyone accepted it.
IBM 5100
IBM 5100 (1975) is the first minicomputer of IBM and one of the earliest portable computers in the world. Don't be confused. This portable computer weighs 50 kilograms. At that time, it was a computer with perfect hardware and functions, and the price was terrible $20000, mainly for scientific research institutions.
Heathkit H89
Heathkit H89 (1979) is an "all in one" computer (all-in-one) launched by heath company. Heath is an early company dedicated to the development of personal computers, which has left a strong mark in the field of personal computers. Heathkit H89 built-in 12 inch monochrome display, which was a large screen at that time. The price is $1695, which is regarded as the "great God ship" in the same type of computer.
"Suitcase" computers are very popular
At that time, it was already portable to carry a computer of more than 20 kg everywhere. When the hardware could not break through the volume limit, people cleverly installed a portable handle or joystick to the "all-in-one machine", and the portable computer was even called the ancestor of notebook. Such collocation was very popular at that time. Many computer manufacturers took portability as their selling point and distributed small advertisements in magazines and newspapers, which was quite an attitude that they could go to the peak of life with one.
Osborne 1's ad at that time
Osborne 1
Osborne 1 (1981) is recognized as the first real portable computer, and some people call it the first notebook in the world. The computer weighs 22 kg and looks almost like a suitcase. When the bottom is opened, there is a keyboard. Adam Osborne, the founder of the company, is also a legend, but the company did not operate because the design concept was too advanced.
Compaq I
The debate about the first notebook has never stopped, and some people think Compaq I (1982) of Compaq is the first notebook in the world. COMPAQ was actually an assembly company at the beginning, but they made their computers run applications that could only run on IBM computers through reverse engineering. Because their computers are more portable, they are very popular. With this machine, Compaq achieved a revenue of US $111 million in the first year, creating a business record in the United States at that time.
SX-64
Sx-64 (1983) is the first portable computer with color screen display. It has a built-in 5-inch color display, which is not good in other aspects. Because the Commodore 64 is very popular in the market, although the sx-64 has a built-in color display, the price is twice as high, and finally did not set off too much waves in the market.
Keyboard computers existed 30 years ago
Last year, some manufacturers launched a keyboard with built-in Android system. We first call it keyboard computer. Some people may think of bully. In fact, keyboard computers have appeared and developed in the 1980s. Since televisions were already popular at that time, some manufacturers believed that the way of inserting hardware into the keyboard and using the television as the display could reduce the manufacturing cost and reduce the selling price to sell more products. So many similar products appeared in the early 1980s.
Commodore VIC 20
Commodore Vic 20 (1980) is the computer used by Linus Torvalds, the father of Linux. It is also the first computer with a sales volume of one million. It can output color video signals, and the price is very cheap. Most importantly, it can play many games (more and more like a bully). At that time, the video and audio performance of computers was much stronger than that of game consoles, and more and more games were transplanted to computers. When promoting products, manufacturers put on the slogan of "learning and playing".
Toshiba T100
Toshiba T100 (1982) is Toshiba's first personal computer, which can output 640 × 200 color images, which was a very high resolution at that time. In addition to the host, Toshiba also sold it with dual disk drives and monitors. The cheapest price of the whole set is $1995. Because its hardware and software foundation are very good, it is often used in CAD, graphics processing and entertainment programs.
ZX Spectrum
ZX spectrum (1982) is produced by a British company. Its most distinctive feature is its high appearance value. The whole machine is very small. The shell is black bright plastic, and the key is multi-functional rubber key. At that time, computers were basically five big and three thick shapes. Once ZX spectrum was sold, it quickly won the recognition of the market. It seems that looking at the face has never changed since ancient times.
Evolution of notebook computers
One disadvantage of portable computers is that they need external power to work, which gave birth to notebooks. At that time, the notebook was still very similar to the portable computer mentioned above, but the screen became a common folding design today. As for who is the first notebook, there is still no authoritative statement so far.
Gavilan SC
Gavilan SC (1983) was the first notebook with built-in battery and touch pad. The touch pad was very innovative at that time. Even in 1991, Apple's powerbook 100 still adopted the trackball design. Gavilan SC can also add memory. Interestingly, the memory at that time had its own battery, which was similar to today's mobile power supply.
IBM 5140
IBM 5140 (1986) is the first notebook computer of IBM. The biggest feature of this machine is that it can add modules like Lego blocks to enrich functions. Moreover, the built-in monitor can also be removed. It has no standard expansion interface. If you want to "build a long dragon", you need to buy an additional internal modem for $450. After all the accessories are installed, the whole machine is very long and looks very strange.
Apple M5120
Apple Macintosh portable m5120 (1989) was Apple's first portable computer. At that time, apple did not pursue simple design. This apple was very heavy, up to 14 kg. Compared with similar products in the same period, m5120 is more like a desktop than a notebook. In addition to its powerful configuration, what is more attractive is its system and software, even now.
you 're right! Only 340g host
In the pursuit of thinness, the 1980s seemed to be more crazy than now. At that time, the integration of electronic components was far from high as it is now, but it still produced very small products. For example, mini mainframe, handheld computers, etc., and their specifications can be called computers.
Sinclair ZX80
A host is only 340g. You're right. Sinclair ZX80 (1980) is an extraordinary personal computer, only the size of a briefcase. The whole machine looks like an electronic scale, and the price is very cheap, only $199.95. Of course, such volume and price do not expect how powerful functions. This machine is the raspberry pie of that era.
TRS-80 PC-1
TRS-80 PC-1 (1980) looks too much like a calculator. In fact, it is a real handheld computer. Some people think it is the first handheld computer in the world. It runs basic computer language and can be externally connected to a micro dot matrix printer, which is powered by three AA batteries. Although Xiaobian is still persuading himself that this is a computer.
Atari Portfolio
Compared with TRS-80 PC-1, Atari portfolio (1989) can rightly say that it is a handheld computer. It runs dip-dos system. Wikipedia shows that it has 128K ram and 256K ROM, while some data show that it has only 128K ram. After the external power supply is turned off, the data will not be lost. Anyway, 20cm × 10.5cm × The size of 2.5cm was very small at that time.
Several interesting firsts in history
Here are some interesting first in computer history, rising posture.
GRiD Compass 1101
The first "real" notebook - grid compass 1101 (1982). There are many disputes about who was the first notebook in history, but this should be the first notebook to go into space. At that time, the computer was developed for the U.S. military and NASA. The aircraft was sent into space by NASA in June 1985.
Visual Commuter
It may be the first official Laptop Bag - Visual commuter (1983). Because the computer bag really can't be verified, Xiaobian can't guarantee it. This is the one that can be found in the data and is most similar to the shape of the current computer bag.
Apple Macintosh
The first computer to successfully use GUI and mouse commercially - Apple Macintosh (1984). Neither GUI nor mouse was invented by apple, but Apple gave them a second life.
Commodore CDTV
The first interactive home entertainment system based on CD-ROM - Commodore CDTV (1991). This product is a computer, but it looks like a DVD, and it also comes with a game console. Although it is a computer, it is officially regarded as a multimedia device.
After entering the 1990s, whether desktop or notebook, the general style has been basically finalized. No matter what shape the computer appeared in that era, it represented the spirit of self breakthrough and innovation of that generation. It is their efforts that make today's colorful electronic equipment and convenient and fast life worthy of our respect.
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