One aspect of this matter I'm already seeing ignored is the COST. That
so-called FIRST personal computer which cost $300 in the early '50's, for
example, cost quite a lot of money. In the '50's, it was unusual for anyone
to earn $100 a week. A mid-priced Chevrolet cost less than $2000 and $10 a
week was plenty for a week's groceries for a family of 4.
Not even DEC's so-called personal computers were competitive enough to
interest an industry professional. The DEC mini's weren't even a good buy
as they became obsolete. I doubt DEC equipment was EVER used where there
wasn't a third party present who profited from its use. That doesn't mean
they weren't appropriate and suitable for a wide range of uses, but it
certainly doesn't characterize a personal computer.
Just to put things into perspective, a week's groceries, these days, for a
family of four, cost about $150, a decent mid-priced car costs $15000, and a
farily well equipped and appropriately designated personal computer with a
400MHz pentium, 8GB HDD, 64MB of RAM, OS installed, all the multimedia
features, plus a current-generation modem (V.90) costs $400 less the monitor
with monitors costing $139 for a 15" and $300 for a 20" type. These prices
are from Best-Buy's ad in last Sunday's paper. You can probably do better
if you shop.
Dick
-----Original Message-----
From: Sellam Ismail <dastar_at_ncal.verio.com>
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp_at_u.washington.edu>
Date: Thursday, April 22, 1999 3:21 AM
Subject: Re: The "FIRST PC" and personal timelines (Was: And what were
the80s
>On Wed, 21 Apr 1999, Christian Fandt wrote:
>
>> This seems to be a well researched trail leading up to the Simon, IMO.
>
>Yes, Doug did a fantastic job.
>
>> However, any good guess as to how many Simons were actually made and
>> successfully run from the over 400 plan sets sold? Any known to exist
now?
>
>Doug is still looking for one, but he and another local Doug are looking
>into building one. They've acquired a nice pile of relays and are hoping
>to have one built by VCF 3.0 for exhibit.
>
>> To try to solve that First Microcomputer question, a set of attributes
must
>> first be set just like the set was to determine the 1st PC as shown in
the
>> above URL. Methinks that will be a bit troublesome as nobody seemed to
>> agree on that during the last go-around of discussing the 1st
Microcomputer
>> here awhile back.
>
>Well, first what? First computer built around a microprocessor? That
>would probably be Intel's development machines. Or should it include an
>integrated CRT and keyboard? Or did it just have to have a serial
>interface for a terminal? Or are lights and switches good enough for
>output and input?
>
>Arguing firsts is mostly pointless because people have a problem agreeing
>on the definition. I vote for the F14 CADC computer, since it was built
>around what could be considered a "microprocessor" and was in production
>and flying in the F14 in 1970.
>
>http://www.microcomputerhistory.com
>
>Sellam Alternate e-mail:
dastar_at_siconic.com
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
>Don't rub the lamp if you don't want the genie to come out.
>
> Coming this October 2-3: Vintage Computer Festival 3.0!
> See http://www.vintage.org/vcf for details!
> [Last web site update: 04/03/99]
>
Received on Thu Apr 22 1999 - 10:17:52 BST