19 Jun
1999
19 Jun
'99
6:27 a.m.
<Has anyone ever put together a list of handsomely designed computers?
<Not great runners, not powerful, but just aesthetically pleasing? My
<impression is that there probably are not all that many, and that the
<first machines to exclude from such a list are the iMac grotesques.
Hummm. Well I think form and function are related.
My thoughts would suggest...
NorthStar* Horizon (wood cover) as a simple but pleasing to the eye design.
Kaypro Toteables, very functional and simple.
DEC BA123 based machines for simple styling and good mechanical/thermal
engineering.
Epson PX-8 laptop. small package for its time but not industrial looking.
TRS80, TI99, Commodore C64/C128 for evolving the wedge design to the limit.
Others, PDP-10 (KA10), PDP12
Allison
19 Jun
19 Jun
7:11 a.m.
NorthStar* Horizon (wood cover) as a simple but
pleasing to the eye design.
Hmmm, not familiar with these really, but I think the SOL-20 is one of the
coolist looking of that era's micro's.
Kaypro Toteables, very functional and simple.
OK, but the Kaypro 2000 also would deserve mention, even with it's horrible
display. Gotta love that case and battery life!
DEC BA123 based machines for simple styling and good
mechanical/thermal
engineering.
OK, you've got an excellent point here. My only problem is the noise. I
love the BA123 cabinet though! You can't beat it for ease of working on!
TRS80, TI99, Commodore C64/C128 for evolving the wedge
design to the limit.
I don't think it's there yet. A few years ago there was a PC Keyboard that
came close. The Amiga 1200 comes even closer probably.
Zane
| Zane H. Healy | UNIX Systems Adminstrator |
| healyzh(a)aracnet.com (primary) | Linux Enthusiast |
| healyzh(a)holonet.net (alternate) | Classic Computer Collector |
+----------------------------------+----------------------------+
| Empire of the Petal Throne and Traveller Role Playing, |
| and Zane's Computer Museum. |
| http://www.aracnet.com/~healyzh/ |
21 Jun
21 Jun
6:44 a.m.
<Has anyone ever put together a list of handsomely
designed computers?
<Not great runners, not powerful, but just aesthetically pleasing? My
<impression is that there probably are not all that many, and that the
<first machines to exclude from such a list are the iMac grotesques.
Hummm. Well I think form and function are related.
My thoughts would suggest...
NorthStar* Horizon (wood cover) as a simple but
pleasing to the eye design.
Kaypro Toteables, very functional and simple.
DEC BA123 based machines for simple styling and good
mechanical/thermal
engineering.
Epson PX-8 laptop. small package for its time but not
industrial looking.
TRS80, TI99, Commodore C64/C128 for evolving the wedge
design to the limit.
Others, PDP-10 (KA10), PDP12
Allison, might it be that the engeneer within took over ?
I have hard times to give one of the above an award for
>aesthetically pleasing<< design (maybe an
exeption for
the NorthStar).
In addition to Merle's list I may add
Yashica YC64 - a red and beige MSX machine (from Kyocera),
nothing special in form or function (straight
MSX keyboard box) but with these colours -
just marvelous.
The Enveloped AIM (and SYM)- A good example how different a
computer can apear when it comes to adding a
case.
Sinclair QL - Basicly Brit design is like Plumpudding or
Haggis - best reaction is to avoide contact
- but in some rare occasions there are
unexpected signs of a true genious mind, and
the QL is one of them - not only a cutting edge
Soft/Hardware combination, but also in a unique
design (Without knowing it for better, I would
bet the design is Italian - from one of the
Modena studios ...).
(BTW: The Joyce isn't that bad either :)
Z88 - Oops - again a late Sinclair ??? Strang, but
this simple and durable design even outclasses
the classical GRiD systems.
Most Olivettis - If we except the M2x PC compatible boxes (just
plain uggly), are most of the Olivetti Machines
examples of good design.
Newton 2000 - Ok, not 10YR compatible, but just the best hand
held design until now - very sensitive, it's fun
just to touch it.
For the moment I can't remember any other machine worth of the front seats.
For Second Row:
Schneider EuroPC - A new definition of the Keyboard Computer
Comodore CBM II - For taking the 'knubbel' (hugable/small/round:)
Design to a new frontier.
SIEMENS PC-D - Just perfect (and the best keyboard of all).
Second thought - cross it - just another Pizza
like design, I just love this machine...
Gruss
H.
--
Der Kopf ist auch nur ein Auswuchs wie der kleine Zeh.
H.Achternbusch
9142
days inactive
9144
days old
2 comments
3 participants
participants (3)
-
allisonp＠world.std.com -
Hans.Franke＠mch20.sbs.de -
healyzh＠aracnet.com