The "FIRST PC" and personal timelines (Was: And what were the 80s

From: Lawrence LeMay <lemay_at_cs.umn.edu>
Date: Thu Apr 22 12:25:11 1999

> >
> > The video display didnt come with all PDP-8/e computers as a standard feature.
> > PDP-8/e systems were Minicomputers, typically rack mounted. And yes,
> > i realize some cpu units were integrated into small tabletop lab units,
> > it still stretches the imagination to refer to a particular gutted down
> > configuration of a minicomputer, as a microcomputer.
>
> You've obviously never seen a edusystem. As to gutted down, you're really
> misinformed.

Possibly. I spend a few years using pdp8/e, but thats the only 8/e
i've ever used. I've seen one or two others, and every time, it
looked like a minicomputer to me.

Now, I have a decmate III, and that looks like a microcomputer to me.

>
> > I would think that either a raster graphics capable monitor would
> > have to come with the computer, or it would have to use a TV as its
> > standard console (with the video display circuitry built-in as standard
>
> Get real. You obviously define microcomputers by the display system.
> generally anthing that used a TV was too low res for any test work and
> most at best looked poor. Any serious work other than games is nto
> considered.

Exactly, yes I do define a microcomputer in those terms. it was a new
'era' in computing, just as the switch from mainframes to minicomputers
was a new era. Defining exactly what makes a microcomputer is
a bit difficult. To me, the decmates, the Terak, the trs-80 were all
microcomputers. One possible observation is that they cannot be
mounted in a 19" rack (as many minicomputers can be). Sure, you
can get a minicomputer in a non-rack mount version, but show
me the person or company that bought rack mounted apple ][
microcomputers...

Do we at least agree that there was a microcomputer era that
started either near the mid 70's or early 80's (depending on how
you define microcomputer)? If not, what do you call the change
that occured at that time. And what was the first computer or
computers that started ushering in that change (even though at the
time, they didnt realize it was a significant trend)?

>
> Try an 8E, 12k core, Vt05 termial and a TD8e Dectape running an OS an
> languages. ALL ON A DESK TOP. During that timeframe there were smaller
> machiness all predating the PC concept.
>
> Allison
>
Received on Thu Apr 22 1999 - 12:25:11 BST