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Evolution from
Personal Computer to Book PC...
…Some Interesting Facts
In 1960,
Digital Equipment introduced the first minicomputer, the PDP-1 (Program,
Data, Processor) for US$120,000. While this minicomputer is by today’s
standards much larger than today’s desktop computers, this “minicomputer”
represented an important size and power step from mainframe towards personal
computers.
In 1969,
Honeywell released the first home computer in the Neiman Marcus catalog for
US$10,600. The H316 "Kitchen Computer" was designed for storing recipes and
included the following hardware: 4KB magnetic core memory (Expandable to
16KB), basic CPU, 475W power supply, 2.5MHz system clock and a cutting board
so that housewives could use to prepare dishes without ever having to leave
the computer. Later that year, IBM created SCAMP, considered to be one of
the world’s first personal computers.
In 1975,
IBM unveils the first production personal computer, IBM 5100 Portable
Computer for US$8975-19975. This portable computer was the size of briefcase
and included the following hardware: 16 KB RAM expandable to 64 KB, PALM
(Put All Logic in Microcode) processor, tape storage drive, keyboard, and
built-in 5-inch CRT display.
In 1979,
Grid Systems Corporation produced one of the first laptop computers, Grid
Compass Computer 1109. Grid Compass Computer 1109 was one fifth the weight
of any model equivalent in performance and was used by NASA on the space
shuttle program in the early 1980's.
In 1981,
Osborne produced the first fully portable laptop computer, Osborne 1 for
US$1795. Osborne 1 weighted 24.5 pounds and included the following hardware:
4.0MHz CPU, 64K RAM, built-in 5” monitor, floppy drive, modem and optional
battery pack for executives on the go.
In 1982,
Epson America creates the first notebook-sized computer, HX-20, which
weighed about 3 pounds and ran on internal batteries for up to 50 hours. The
HX-20 featured the following hardware: 16KB RAM/32KB ROM, full sized
keyword, optional storage, built-in printer and 20x4 LCD screen.
In 1983,
Commodore International unveils the first color portable computer, SX-64,
for US$1600. SX-64 weighed about 23 pounds and came with the following
hardware: 1 MHz CPU, 64K RAM, 5” color monitor and two floppy drives.
In 1989,
NEC Technologies produced the first subnotebook, NEC UltraLite, which
weighted just over 4 pounds and came with the following hardware: 8.14 MHz
CPU, 64K RAM, optional external floppy drive and stylus with handwriting
recognition.
In the
2000s, a variety of small form factor computers exploded onto the PC
marketplace, introducing Cube PCs, Slim PCs, Mini Book PCs and LCD PCs.
Today, Book PCs are becoming more popular and the small form factor PC
marketplace will continue to grow as more companies recognize the cost
effect IT solutions Book PCs present. |
