The very first personal computers - How many are left?

From: vance_at_neurotica.com <(vance_at_neurotica.com)>
Date: Sun Apr 13 11:44:32 2003

On Thu, 10 Apr 2003, Tony Duell wrote:

> 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?

Was it aimed or marketed at the general computing market? Could it be
easily used as a general-purpose computer?

Peace... Sridhar
Received on Sun Apr 13 2003 - 11:44:32 BST