Skip to content

TechRepublic

  • Top Products
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • Big Data
  • Tech Jobs
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Top Products
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • Big Data
  • Tech Jobs
  • See All Topics
  • Sponsored
  • Newsletters
  • Forums
  • Resource Library
TechRepublic Premium
Hardware

Dinosaur Sightings: Computers from the 1970s

By Bill Detwiler May 18, 2006, 5:39 AM PDT on Twitter billdetwiler

Image
1
of 27

MSAI 8080
MSAI 8080
Dinosaur Sightings: Computers from the 1970s

MSAI 8080

Reprinted with permission from Oldcomputers.net

MSAI 8080

During the disco days of the 1970s, personal computers moved out of the electronic hobbyist’s garage or basement and into the office, classroom, and family den. This gallery showcases several 1970-era machines from Steven Stengel’s vintage computer collection. Steven has graciously allowed us to republish his photos and descriptions. You can find a much more detailed description of each machine and additional photos of Steven’s collection on his Web site oldcomputers.net.

MSAI 8080

Built by IMS Associates, Inc. of San Leandro, California, the IMSAI 8080 is one of the first consumer computers available.rn

Reprinted with permission from Oldcomputers.net
Dinosaur Sightings: Computers from the 1970s

IBM 5100 Portable PC

IBM 5100 Portable PC

The Model 5100 is IBM’s first microcomputer, i.e. not a mainframe, and is also considered the world’s first portable computer. Although at 55-pounds, it might best be described as “self-contained” rather than “portable”.

Reprinted with permission from Oldcomputers.net.

Dinosaur Sightings: Computers from the 1970s

MOS KIM-1

MOS KIM-1

The KIM-1 (Keyboard Input Monitor) microcomputer is the grand-daddy of all 6502 microprocessors systems. It was originally created by MOS Technology, the inventor of the 6502 microprocessor, as a way to demonstrate the power of the 6502 to the industrial community.

Reprinted with permission from Oldcomputers.net.

Dinosaur Sightings: Computers from the 1970s

Processor Technology Sol-20 Terminal Computer (1 of 3)

Processor Technology Sol-20 Terminal Computer (1 of 3)

Named for “The wisdom of Solomon”, or possibly Popular Electronics magazine editor Les Solomon, since the Sol-20 made its first appearance on the cover of that magazine.

Reprinted with permission from Oldcomputers.net.

Dinosaur Sightings: Computers from the 1970s

Processor Technology Sol-20 Terminal Computer (2 of 3)

Processor Technology Sol-20 Terminal Computer (2 of 3)

Reprinted with permission from Oldcomputers.net.

Dinosaur Sightings: Computers from the 1970s

Processor Technology Sol-20 Terminal Computer (3of 3)

Processor Technology Sol-20 Terminal Computer (3of 3)

Reprinted with permission from Oldcomputers.net.

Dinosaur Sightings: Computers from the 1970s

Rockwell AIM 65 (1 of 2)

Rockwell AIM 65 (1 of 2)

Numerous different cases were available for the AIM 65, two of which are shown here. The black case seen here is a two piece, inexpensive plastic molded case.

Reprinted with permission from Oldcomputers.net.

Dinosaur Sightings: Computers from the 1970s

Rockwell AIM 65 (2 of 2)

Rockwell AIM 65 (2 of 2)

The tan case to the left is all metal with a built-in power supply.

Reprinted with permission from Oldcomputers.net.

Dinosaur Sightings: Computers from the 1970s

Vector Graphic: Vector 1

Vector Graphic: Vector 1

In 1976, Vector Graphic designed and sold static RAM and other expansion cards for S-100 computers. The company was run by two women – Lore Harp (founder and chairman) and Carole Ely. Bob Harp, Lore’s husband, was the design engineer. Eventually they released an entire computer based on their technology – the Vector 1.

Reprinted with permission from Oldcomputers.net.

commodore.jpg
commodore.jpg
Dinosaur Sightings: Computers from the 1970s

Commodore PET

Image: Rafe Needleman/CNET

Commodore PET

This is the first Commodore computer, the PET, or the Personal Electronic Transactor. It appears that they just made up that description, though, as the name “PET” was apparently chosen to capitalize on the pet rock fad going on at the time.

Reprinted with permission from Oldcomputers.net.

Image: Rafe Needleman/CNET
Dinosaur Sightings: Computers from the 1970s

Radio Shack TRS-80 Model I

Radio Shack TRS-80 Model I

As one of the first home computers ever, the TRS-80 was a great success. Tandy wasn’t expecting many sales, but this, their first computer, sold 10,000 units in the first month alone. It includes everything you need to have a real computer of your very own – the computer, monitor and cassette deck for loading and saving data.

Reprinted with permission from Oldcomputers.net.

Dinosaur Sightings: Computers from the 1970s

NorthStar Horizon (1 of 2)

NorthStar Horizon (1 of 2)

Starting out in 1976 as a computer stored called “Kentucky Fried Computers”, they had to change their name due to impending litigation from Kentucky Fried Chicken! Their first product was a Floating Point Math Board for S-100 computers. After this, they developed an inexpensive floppy disk system for existing computers, which quickly led to possibly the first computer with built-in floppy drives – the NorthStar Horizon.

Reprinted with permission from Oldcomputers.net.

Dinosaur Sightings: Computers from the 1970s

NorthStar Horizon (2 of 2)

NorthStar Horizon (2 of 2)

With the top removed as seen above, you can see the heavy-duty linear power supply on the right side, as well as the two floppy drives. On the left is space for 12 S-100 cards to be installed. This particular system is packed with memory – seven 64K RAM cards for a total of 448K RAM!

Reprinted with permission from Oldcomputers.net.

Dinosaur Sightings: Computers from the 1970s

Heathkit H8 (1 of 2)

Heathkit H8 (1 of 2)

The H8 was the first computer available from Heathkit, released in late 1977.

Reprinted with permission from Oldcomputers.net.

Dinosaur Sightings: Computers from the 1970s

Heathkit H8 (2 of 2)

Heathkit H8 (2 of 2)

The Heathkit-designed H8 hardware was not compatible with any other computer system, which was not unusual for the day. While some systems used the common S-100 bus scheme, Heathkit designed their own “Benton Harbor” 50-pin expansion bus, with ten expansion slots available in the H8.

Reprinted with permission from Oldcomputers.net.

Dinosaur Sightings: Computers from the 1970s

Exidy Sorcerer Dynasty smart-ALEC (1 of 2)

Exidy Sorcerer Dynasty smart-ALEC (1 of 2)

Before the Sorcerer computer, Exidy Inc. was a leading manufacturer of home and arcade video games. They decided that they had the knowledge and expertise to design and market a home computer.

Reprinted with permission from Oldcomputers.net.

Dinosaur Sightings: Computers from the 1970s

Exidy Sorcerer Dynasty smart-ALEC (2 of 2)

Exidy Sorcerer Dynasty smart-ALEC (2 of 2)

The Sorcerer is the first computer to use ROM cartridges for instant program loading and access!

Reprinted with permission from Oldcomputers.net.

Dinosaur Sightings: Computers from the 1970s

Ohio Scientific Challenger 4P

Ohio Scientific Challenger 4P

The Challenger 4P is comprised of the OSI 502 (CPU) and 540 (video) cards. The Challenger 4PMF (mini-floppy) includes the OSI 505 (CPU), 527 (Memory), 540 (video), and A13 (disk connect) cards. Both have the OSI 542 (keyboard) and A15 (I/O panel).

Reprinted with permission from Oldcomputers.net.

Dinosaur Sightings: Computers from the 1970s

Synertek SYM Model 1

Synertek SYM Model 1

The SYM-1 is similar to the KIM-1, another single board computer (SBC) which was released by MOS two years earlier, in 1976.

Reprinted with permission from Oldcomputers.net.

Dinosaur Sightings: Computers from the 1970s

Interact Model One

Interact Model One

The Interact computer had a very short manufacturing run of less than a year. The Interact Company went bankrupt soon after production started and only a few thousand made it into stores.

Reprinted with permission from Oldcomputers.net.

Dinosaur Sightings: Computers from the 1970s

Radio Shack TRS-80 Model II

Radio Shack TRS-80 Model II

The TRS-80 Model II microcomputer system, designed and manufactured by Radio Shack in Fort Worth, TX, was not intended to replace or obsolete the Model I, it was designed to take up where the Model I left off – a machine with increased capacity and speed in every respect, targeted directly at the small-business application market.

Reprinted with permission from Oldcomputers.net.

Dinosaur Sightings: Computers from the 1970s

Bell & Howell

Bell & Howell

Founded in the early 1900s, Bell & Howell has always been associated with audio-video equipment – cameras, projectors, and the like. In 1979, they had a computer system which they sold mainly to educational institutions – you couldn’t buy one, it wasn’t available in your local computer store.

Reprinted with permission from Oldcomputers.net.

Dinosaur Sightings: Computers from the 1970s

SwTPC S/09

SwTPC S/09

SwTPC was originally an electronics supply company, selling power supplies, inexpensive video displays, and electronics kits to hobbyists. After computer chips became popular, they sold those as well, eventually creating and selling their own line of computers.

Reprinted with permission from Oldcomputers.net.

Dinosaur Sightings: Computers from the 1970s

Heathkit H89

Heathkit H89

Following the success of their Heathkit H8 computer from 1977, Heathkit released the Heathkit H89 “all-in-one” computer in late 1979.

Reprinted with permission from Oldcomputers.net.

Dinosaur Sightings: Computers from the 1970s

Atari 400

Atari 400

The Atari 400 and 800 were both announced in December 1978, though they didn’t actually start shipping until late in 1979.

Reprinted with permission from Oldcomputers.net.

Dinosaur Sightings: Computers from the 1970s

Atari 800

Atari 800

Designed to look like a friendly typewriter, the Atari 800 is an expandable system with two easily accessible cartridge ports under a front cover, and a removable top with four expansion slots inside.

Reprinted with permission from Oldcomputers.net.

Dinosaur Sightings: Computers from the 1970s

Texas Instruments TI-99/4

Texas Instruments TI-99/4

For $1,150 you received the TI-99/4 console and one of the largest computer monitors ever released. The console has polished metal trim, giving it a quality appearance. The monitor is really a 13-inch Zenith color TV modified slightly to look and act like a computer monitor.

Reprinted with permission from Oldcomputers.net.

  • Hardware
  • Account Information

    Share with Your Friends

    Dinosaur Sightings: Computers from the 1970s

    Your email has been sent

Share: Dinosaur Sightings: Computers from the 1970s
Image of Bill Detwiler
By Bill Detwiler
Bill Detwiler is the Editor for Technical Content and Ecosystem at Celonis. He is the former Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and previous host of TechRepublic's Dynamic Developer podcast and Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show.
  • Account Information

    Contact Bill Detwiler

    Your message has been sent

  • |
  • See all of Bill's content

Daily Tech Insider

If you can only read one tech story a day, this is it.

TechRepublic Premium

  • TechRepublic Premium

    Generative AI Policy

    Generative AI represents a significant development in the field of artificial intelligence, offering a wide range of capabilities and potential benefits. Generative AI is reshaping businesses across industries by offering automation, personalization and efficiency. It enables companies to optimize operations by generating content, designing creatively and streamlining quality assurance processes. The purpose of this policy ...

    Downloads
    Published:  December 5, 2023, 4:00 PM EST Modified:  December 6, 2023, 8:25 AM EST Read More See more TechRepublic Premium articles
  • TechRepublic Premium

    Hiring Kit: User Experience Designer

    While the perfect color palette or the most sublime button shading or myriad of other design features play an important role in any product’s success, user interface design is not enough. Customer engagement and retention requires a strategic plan that attempts to measure, quantify and ultimately create a complete satisfying user experience on both an ...

    Published:  December 5, 2023, 4:00 PM EST Modified:  December 6, 2023, 9:00 AM EST Read More See more TechRepublic Premium articles
  • TechRepublic Premium

    AlmaLinux Checklist: 9 Things to Do after Installation

    This checklist from TechRepublic Premium consists of nine things you should do immediately after installing AlmaLinux. This list of items can be applied to all use-cases for your new server operating system. Although there will be plenty more to do (such as install the services and specific software you need), you can count on this ...

    Published:  December 4, 2023, 4:00 PM EST Modified:  December 5, 2023, 9:00 AM EST Read More See more TechRepublic Premium articles
  • TechRepublic Premium

    What is Generative AI?

    Generative artificial intelligence refers to deep learning models that can generate content such as images, code, text and other forms of media. These algorithms are trained to identify patterns using large datasets, enabling them to produce similar output. TechRepublic Premium presents this explanation of generative AI, including its evolution, features, examples, drawbacks and benefits. From ...

    Downloads
    Published:  December 4, 2023, 4:00 PM EST Modified:  December 5, 2023, 7:59 AM EST Read More See more TechRepublic Premium articles

Services

  • About Us
  • Newsletters
  • RSS Feeds
  • Site Map
  • Site Help & Feedback
  • FAQ
  • Advertise
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • Careers

Explore

  • Downloads
  • TechRepublic Forums
  • Meet the Team
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Resource Library
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Editorial Policy
  • TechRepublic
  • TechRepublic on Twitter
  • TechRepublic on Facebook
  • TechRepublic on LinkedIn
  • TechRepublic on Flipboard
© 2023 TechnologyAdvice. All rights reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Property of TechnologyAdvice
CLOSE

Create a TechRepublic Account

Get the web's best business technology news, tutorials, reviews, trends, and analysis—in your inbox. Let's start with the basics.

Already registered? Sign In
Use Facebook
Use Linkedin

* - indicates required fields

CLOSE

Sign in to TechRepublic

Not a member? Create an account
Use Facebook
Use Linkedin

Lost your password? Request a new password

CLOSE

Reset Password

Please enter your email adress. You will receive an email message with instructions on how to reset your password.

Check your email for a password reset link. If you didn't receive an email don't forgot to check your spam folder, otherwise contact support.

Back to login
1 Finish Profile
2 Newsletter Preferences
CLOSE

Welcome. Tell us a little bit about you.

This will help us provide you with customized content.

No thanks, continue without
1 Finish Profile
2 Newsletter Preferences
CLOSE

Want to receive more TechRepublic news?

Newsletter Name
Subscribe
Daily Tech Insider
Daily Tech Insider AU
TechRepublic UK
TechRepublic News and Special Offers
TechRepublic News and Special Offers International
Executive Briefing
Innovation Insider
Project Management Insider
Microsoft Weekly
Cloud Insider
Data Insider
Developer Insider
TechRepublic Premium
Apple Weekly
Cybersecurity Insider
Google Weekly
Toggle All
No thanks, continue without

You're All Set

Thanks for signing up! Keep an eye out for a confirmation email from our team. To ensure any newsletters you subscribed to hit your inbox, make sure to add newsletters@nl.technologyadvice.com to your contacts list.

Back to Home Page