LGR - Strangest Computer Designs of the '70s
LGR・2 minutes read
The CTC Datapoint 2200, Triumph-Adler TA-1000, MCM/70, SWTPC TV Typewriter, and Xerox Alto were innovative early computer models with unique features, such as cost efficiency, all-in-one solutions, portability, low-cost terminal kits, and graphical user interfaces with mice. These computers played a crucial role in the development of personal computing by introducing key technologies and concepts that later became standard in the industry.
Insights
- The CTC Datapoint 2200, Triumph-Adler TA-1000, MCM/70, SWTPC TV Typewriter, and Xerox Alto were all significant early computing devices, each contributing unique features and innovations to the evolving landscape of personal computing in the 1970s.
- The Xerox Alto stands out as a groundbreaking invention for introducing the graphical user interface, mouse, and WYSIWYG document preparation style, setting a new standard for user interaction and document creation that would influence future computer design and functionality.
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Recent questions
What was the first portable personal computer?
MCM/70
What was the first computer with a graphical user interface?
Xerox Alto
What was the purpose of the SWTPC TV Typewriter?
Display characters on a TV screen
What was the Triumph-Adler TA-1000 designed for?
Small-to-midsize businesses
What was the main feature of the CTC Datapoint 2200?
Cost-efficient terminal
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Summary
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1970s Computer Innovations: A Brief Overview
- The CTC Datapoint 2200, developed in 1971, was designed to be a cost-efficient terminal compatible with multiple mainframes, using a bit-serial processing solution made up of transistor-transistor logic components.
- The Triumph-Adler TA-1000, released in 1973, was an all-in-one accounting computer solution for small-to-midsize businesses, featuring 1 kilobyte ROM, 2 kilobytes of RAM, and support for various storage options.
- The MCM/70, from Kingston, Ontario, Canada, was considered the first portable personal computer, featuring a one-line plasma display, Intel 8008 CPU, and 8K of RAM, aimed at educators and businesses.
- The SWTPC TV Typewriter, a low-cost terminal hardware kit, allowed users to display characters on a TV screen, a concept later integrated into home PCs by hobbyists.
- The Xerox Alto, released in 1973, was the first computer with a graphical user interface and a mouse, pioneering the what-you-see-is-what-you-get document preparation style, available with 96K of RAM starting at $40,000.
