The History of Personal Computing

Cambridge Computer Z88

This is the podcast where we take an informal look at personal computing history through the lens of eBay auctions. It’s sort of like Antiques Roadshow, but all about antique personal computers. On today’s show, we’re continuing our coverage of the second phase of portables, the earliest laptops. We’re covering the Cambridge Computer Z88 and Apple Macintosh Portable.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Jeff: The ARMIGA Project has released its maiden product. http://www.armigaproject.com/
• David:
  • Vintage Computer Federation auctions
    • Fully Functional WOZ Autographed Apple ][ (not e, not Plus)
    • Fully Functional Autographed SOL 20 Terminal Computer
  • Acquired an IBM XT 286: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_Personal_Computer_XT#IBM_XT_286

Auctions:

• Jeff’s auction: Sinclair Cambridge Z88 Portable Computer Working Nice condition Box

• David’s auction: Sinclair Cambridge Z88 Computer +128k Ram, Z88 to MAC cartridges, Calculator

• Jeff’s auction: Apple Macintosh Portable 5120 with case Untested – AS IS

• David’s auction: Vintage Apple Macintosh 5120 Portable Computer

• Jeff’s auction: Apple Macintosh Portable Computer M5126, Power Brick, Battery, Case, Manuals

• David’s auction: Authentic excellent cond AMSTRAD NOTEPAD COMPUTER NC100 NC 100 1992 with case

• Jeff’s random auction: Apple II Apple Branded 5.25 Disk Holder RARE

• David’s random auction: Outbound Notebook Computer Build Your Own Kit Apple Macintosh Authorized 1990

Send feedback to feedback@HistoryOfPersonalComputing.com because we really would love to receive your email or audio comment.

TRS-80 Model 100

This is the podcast where we take an informal look at personal computing history through the lens of eBay auctions. It’s sort of like Antiques Roadshow, but all about antique personal computers. On today’s show, we’re continuing our coverage of the second phase of portables, the earliest laptops. We’re covering the Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 100, Toshiba T1100 and Data General One.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Jeff: Modern remake of the famous Amiga version of Shadow of the Beast game is now available on Playstation 4.
• David:
  • Computer museum opening twice a month: ComputerMuseumOfAmerica.com
  • New reproduction for sale: MITS ALTAIR 680 CLONE, MINI 681
  • Russian clones on eBay: Orel BK-08 & other Soviet ZX Spectrum clones

Auctions:

• Jeff’s auction: Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 100 Portable Computer – 1983–With Books & Carry Case

• David’s auction: 1980’s Data General One 2T Portable Computer 2504A and Data General Bag

• Jeff’s auction: TANDY MODEL 100 COMPUTER + 100K PDD 1 DISK DRIVE +++ TRS-80

• David’s auction: vintage radio shack TRS-80 Tandy Model 102 portable computer

• Jeff’s auction: Data General One 2T Portable Computer 2504A, Guide, Bag & Accessories

• David’s auction: TOSHIBA T1000 COMPUTER IN ORIGINAL BOX

• Jeff’s random auction: Vtech Laser 50 Personal Computer 1985 w/ Box & Manual Working

• David’s random auction: Vintage Soviet Union Computer, USSR Computer OREL BK-08 (Clone ZX Spectrum)

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Epson HX-20

On this show, we’re still covering the second phase of portables, the earliest laptops, continuing with the Epson HX-20 and the Grid Compass.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Book: When Computing Got Personal: A history of the desktop computer

David’s recent eBay purchase: VINTAGE INTEGRATED COMPUTER SYSTEM MICROCOMPUTER TRAINING Microprocessor

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epson_HX-20

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grid_Compass

Auctions

Jeff

• EPSON Computer HX-20 w/ RealVoice / Microcassette / Printer – Case
• Epson HX-20 Portable Computer
• Lot Grid System 2107&2101, Grid Compass Computer 1107 GridCase 3 DSP 225
• RARE VINTAGE HACKING COMPUTER SYMBOLICS XL1201 LISP MACHINE

David

• NASA SPOC (Grid Compass) Computer Used for Space Shuttle STS-51-I Mission
• Epson HX-20 Portable Computer T77527
• GRiD GRiDCASE3 – 8086 XT @ 5Mhz | 512K RAM | NONE HD
• Search term “UNIVAC”

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SWTPC SS-50 Reproduction

Welcome to a special interview segment of the History of Personal Computing podcast! In this episode, David and Jeff are speaking to Bob Applegate from Corsham Technologies. Bob has designed and sells modern, compatible (to original hardware) reproductions of both the 6800 & 6809 versions of the SWTPC SS-50 microcomputer. He also sells custom upgrade boards for the KIM-1.

Links mention in the show:

• Bob’s website: http://www.corshamtech.com/
• The SWTPC Computer Documentation Repository: http://www.swtpc.com/
• YouTube: VCF East 9.1 – History of Franklin Computer – Joel Shusterman
• Bob mentions: The Ancestral Territorial Imperatives of the Trumpeter Swan

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Compaq Portable

On this episode, we conclude our look at the first half of the second tier of personal computing… the luggables. We’re going to cover the Compaq Portable, the Commodore SX-64 and perhaps other misc. models.

Links mentioned in this episode:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compaq_Portable

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_SX-64

Auctions

Jeff

• COMMODORE SX-64 VINTAGE COMPUTER WORKING CONDITION
• COMPAQ PORTABLE II 2 COMPUTER Luggable PC 5-1/4″ Disk Hard Drive Personal WK
• COMMODORE 64 C64 SX64 PLA REPLACEMENT
• SYNERTEK SYM-1 SINGLE BOARD MICROCOMPUTER 6502 from Kim-1 #2

David

• 1983 Compaq Portable Computer, MS DOS Ver. 2.11 With User Disk
• COMMODORE SX-64 VINTAGE COMPUTER WORKING CONDITION
• COMPAQ PORTABLE III COMPUTER
• SWTPC 6800 in custom case with PLEXIGLASS Cover *Rare*

Send feedback to feedback@HistoryOfPersonalComputing.com because we really would love to receive your email or audio comment.

Tell someone about us please! Write a review on iTunes or help us spread the word with Facebook, Google+ or Twitter. Perhaps you’re in a specialty discussion group – tell them!

Thank you for listening!