The very first personal computers - How many are left?

From: Tony Duell <ard_at_p850ug1.demon.co.uk>
Date: Thu Apr 10 16:28:00 2003

[...]

> >Kenbak 1
> >Scelbi 8h
> >Mark-8
> >IBM 5100
> >Apple 1
> >Altair 8800
> >IMSAI 8080
>
> Hi
> Missed the Poly88.

If the IBM 5100 is classed as an 'early personal computer', why isn't the
HP9830 also included? The 9830 came out in 1973 (I think, maybe 1974). It
had a cut-down BASIC in ROM (no string variables, for one thing, but it
_is_ BASIC) which could be extended by plug-in ROM modules (Matix
Operations, String Variables, Extended I/O, Plotter, Terminal Emulator,
etc all exist). It could take up to 16K bytes of RAM, had a full-size
QWERTY keybard and a 1-line 32 character display. Oh, and 4 I/O slots.

Is the only reason this is not classed as an 'early personal computer'
the fact that it says '9830 Calculator' on the nameplate?

-tony
Received on Thu Apr 10 2003 - 16:28:00 BST