On Fri, 11 Apr 2003, Tony Duell wrote:
> > On Fri, 11 Apr 2003, Tony Duell wrote:
> >
> > > The other point is that the 9830 is fairly similar (to the user) to the
> > > IBM5100. It's about the same size (albeit with only a 1-line display), it
> > > runs a high-level language from internal ROM, it has built-in mass
> > > storage, etc. And yet the 5100 is a bit later than the 9830. Why the
> > > former gets all the glory is beyond me...
> >
> > A multi-line display on a CRT helps a lot ;)
>
> Sure, as does a graphical display, and many other features that came out
> later. Point is, the HP9830 _was_ earlier than the IBM5100, and
> presumably HP couldn't justify providing a CRT display on it (they
> certainly could have designed one -- they had CRT displays on larger
> computers at the time).
>
> If you want to consider _early personal computers_ then IMHO you have to
> consider the HP9830...
I was being somewhat facetious. I'll be the first to say that the 9830 is
a computer. In fact there is no question in my mind and no need to even
have to argue for this.
--
Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival
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Received on Fri Apr 11 2003 - 19:46:00 BST