27 Jun
2007
27 Jun
'07
3:43 p.m.
[HP9830]
OK, point taken, but really, I think you're sort
of emphasizing the
difference and making my point for me. This wasn't a PC, it was an
I'll grant it wasn't really a 'home computer', but IMHO it was a
'personal computer'. It was designed to be operated by one person (it
didn't need a 'computer department') who didn't have to have any specific
computer knowlefge.
expensive tool for professionals and scientists. It
was a table-top
single-user mini, in a way: expensive on its own and little use
without various peripherals to give it useful I/O.
Enough was built-in (keyboard, display, tape drive) to do useful work.
You didn't _need_ the peripherals.
Remeber that at the time (35 years ago), the alternative was likely to
be: Punch a deck of cards with your program and data ; submit it to your
company's computer department ; Get a printout back a couple of days
later.
Compared to that, the 9830, even with its one-line display, was a lot
more 'personal' and a lot easier to use.
-tony