10 Apr
2003
10 Apr
'03
9:28 a.m.
[...]
If the IBM 5100 is classed as an 'early personal computer', why isn't the
HP9830 also included? The 9830 came out in 1973 (I think, maybe 1974). It
had a cut-down BASIC in ROM (no string variables, for one thing, but it
_is_ BASIC) which could be extended by plug-in ROM modules (Matix
Operations, String Variables, Extended I/O, Plotter, Terminal Emulator,
etc all exist). It could take up to 16K bytes of RAM, had a full-size
QWERTY keybard and a 1-line 32 character display. Oh, and 4 I/O slots.
Is the only reason this is not classed as an 'early personal computer'
the fact that it says '9830 Calculator' on the nameplate?
-tony
Kenbak 1
Scelbi 8h
Mark-8
IBM 5100
Apple 1
Altair 8800
IMSAI 8080
Hi
Missed the Poly88.