Re: [vcf-midatlantic] our new museum -- micro exhibit -- pick 28! (Evan Koblentz)
1. Our homebrewed "Dudley" PDP-8 clone 2. Apple 1 (Mimeo) 3. Apple 2 4. Apple Lisa (2/10) 5. Apple Mac 128K 6. Apple Mac Portable 7. AT&T (but which one? 6300, 7300, or 3B2?) 8. Commodore PET 2001 9. Commodore 64 10. Commodore Amiga (500?) 11. Compaq Portable 12. HP-85B 13. IBM 5100 14. IBM 5150 15. IBM PC Jr. 16. IBM (or generic) Windows 3.1 17. IMSAI 8080 18. Mark-8 19. MITS Altair 8800 20. MOS Tech KIM-1 21. Osborne 1 22. Processor Tech SOL-20 23. Scelbi-8H (repro) 24. Sinclair ZX-80 25. SWTPC 6800 26. TRS-80 Model 1 27. TRS-80 Model 100 28. Xerox 860
And ..... go!
I believe an 8-bit Atari system needs to be part of any exhibit concerning early microcomputers, either an Atari 400 or Atari 800. The first one came out in 1979 and was a logical extension to the successful Atari 2600 gaming console and was a big part of the “home computer as gaming console” movement. Star Raiders was the best game and a big selling point! If nothing else, Atari remained an important computer manufacturer, pushing the leading edge (for example first computer to include a MIDI interface with the ST line) and should be represented. Also noticeably missing is the TI 99/4 or 4a. Among the first (if not *the* first) 16-bit home computers, and the TI 99/4a held about 35% of the home computer market at its peak before Jack Tramiel and Commodore buried them. I definitely believe Atari and Texas Instruments should be represented as important companies in early home computing. I would also make a half-hearted appeal for a Mattel Aquarius computer, the least-successful home computer ever. This came out in 1983 to compete with the VIC-20 and TI 99/4a, and was cancelled four months later. About 8,000 were sold. - Bob Shuster
On 11/06/2015 09:00 AM, Bob Shuster via vcf-midatlantic wrote:
I believe an 8-bit Atari system needs to be part of any exhibit concerning early microcomputers, either an Atari 400 or Atari 800. The first one came out in 1979 and was a logical extension to the successful Atari 2600 gaming console and was a big part of the “home computer as gaming console” movement. Star Raiders was the best game and a big selling point! If nothing else, Atari remained an important computer manufacturer, pushing the leading edge (for example first computer to include a MIDI interface with the ST line) and should be represented.
I'd argue against the ST, at this point in history the clone army had won. ;-) The ST wasn't a good machine it was an after thought in design. I had one and I'm an Atarian, I have no love for that machine other than it got my hands on a 68K chip.
Also noticeably missing is the TI 99/4 or 4a. Among the first (if not *the* first) 16-bit home computers, and the TI 99/4a held about 35% of the home computer market at its peak before Jack Tramiel and Commodore buried them.
35%? Really? Doesn't that seems a bit high? I recall the Apple, the Commodore 64 and the Atari 800 being the home computer big 3. That doesn't mean I'm correct just recollection.
I definitely believe Atari and Texas Instruments should be represented as important companies in early home computing.
I would also make a half-hearted appeal for a Mattel Aquarius computer, the least-successful home computer ever. This came out in 1983 to compete with the VIC-20 and TI 99/4a, and was cancelled four months later. About 8,000 were sold.
With no room at the inn, not likely. But as a future display of home computer wars, that would make for an interesting part of the display. -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry ncherry@linuxha.com http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog Author of: Linux Smart Homes For Dummies
logical extension to the successful Atari 2600 gaming console
True.
I definitely believe Atari and Texas Instruments should be represented as important companies in early home computing.
So do I, but with which others removed?
I would also make a half-hearted appeal for a Mattel Aquarius computer
Good example of a "Computer of the month" for the 25th slot. :)
participants (3)
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Bob Shuster -
Evan Koblentz -
Neil Cherry