25 Jan
2014
25 Jan
'14
4:45 p.m.
On 1/25/14 1:57 AM, Dave wrote:
As a class, they were computers designed to be embedded in other systems, and were
deliberately made easy to interface to.
This differentiates them from programmable calculators and small business computers. This
also explains why they disappeared
once microprocessors and semiconductor memories appeared. That also explains why they
peaked in numbers in the early 70's
(Bell's list of 100 minicomputer companies). This also corresponds with the
commoditization of digital logic and core memories.
By the end of the 60's, the barrier of entry to build a minicomputer was very low.
Anyone that wanted to could by off the shelf
DTL or TTL ICs, and core memory assemblies.
> It
perpetuates the myth that there was such a thing as a "minicomputer" before the
late 60's. There have been several threads now on the origin of the term...
In many ways I think the reverse is true. Apart from being being physicality larger than
a later "Mini Computer" many early computers are, in terms of capability and
architecture, essentially "Mini
Computers". All that happened was that some got smaller and cheaper and at some
point the term "minicomputer" appeared....