Phillip said:
Um. What date was the Casio AL1000? For that matter, what date was the
AL2000? OK, the AL1000 had nixie tubes in the display, so was not all
solid state, but it comes close, I'm sure. (Other people have commented
on the HP 9100 and the earlier Busicoms)
Ahhh, a Casio expert! When was the Casio AS-8D made? I just picked one
up. I had never seen one before and I thought it looked interesting.
We've also had some strange definitions of Personal Computer flying
around here. One I don't like, but am going to comment on anyway, is
the "system, terminal and video circuitry all in one box" definition. I
don't think it quite makes it, but personal loyalty compels me to put in
a word for the Tektronix 4051. This was announced in November 1975 (I
think - have to look this up). I've never seen one but I get the
impression the prototype was a Tek graphics terminal with a 6800
development system stuck in the bottom of the case... Anyway, Tek 4051
was intended as single user, one-to-a-desk graphics micro, so I claim it
is a "personal computer".
And if you're interested in portability, a carrying case was an option
you could buy.
I was just reading an old (ca 1977) Byte magazine this morning and it
had a article about the Tek 4051. I think they said it had just been
discontinued. E-mail me if you're interested.
Joe