Post #: 3
Post type: Blog post
Date: 2024-04-22 21:11:03.000
Author:Micro Man Tags:
Well, it took way longer than I anticipated, but it's finally here!
This video tries to answer the age-old question: what was the FIRST personal computer? I go into a bit of a tangent in trying to define a computer first, and then go through the early history of digital computers, before finally getting around to answering the question. Maybe. You'll have to watch to find out!
Here's a list of computers and their cool technical specs that I cover in this video, as a bonus for those of you reading this on the website:
First Computers
0. Zuse Z3
Year released: 1941 CPU: 2,600 relays Speed: 5-10 Hz Memory: 176 bytes (64 x 22-bit words) Storage: Punched celluloid tape Power consumed: 4,000 Watts Weight: 1000 kg Number made: 1 Cost: $400,000 US (2023)
1. ABC
Year released: 1942 CPU: 600 vacuum tubes Speed: 60 Hz Memory: 375 bytes (3000 bits, 30 100-bit binary numbers) Storage: Paper tape Power consumed: Unknown Weight: 320 kg Number made: 1 Cost: Unknown
2. Colossus Year released: 1943 CPU: 1600 vacuum tubes Speed: Massively parallel (equivalent to 1.2 MHz today) Memory: None Storage: Paper tape Power consumed: 8,500 Watts Number made: 12 Cost: Unknown (secret)
3. ENIAC
Year released: 1945 CPU: 18,000 vacuum tubes Speed: 5,000 Hz Memory: None Storage: Punched cards Power consumed: 150,000 Watts Weight: 24,000 kg Number made: 1 Cost: $ 6.2 million US (2023)
4. Manchester Baby
Year released: 1948 CPU: 550 vacuum tubes Speed: 50,000 KHz Memory: 128 bytes (64 x 32-bit words) Storage: None Power consumed: 3,500 Watts Weight: 900 kg Number made: 1 Cost: Unknown (prototype project)
First Personal computers
0. Simon
Year released: 1950 (instructions) CPU: About 120 relays Speed: 0.6 Hz Memory: 2 bits (ΒΌ byte) Storage: paper tape Power consumed: 125 Watts Weight: 18 kg (not including power supply) Number made: 400 (plans sold) Cost: $600 ($7,400 in 2023)
1. Kenbak-1
Year released: 1971 CPU: 132 7400-series TTL chips Speed: 500 KHz Memory: 256 bytes Storage: None Power consumed: 14 Watts Weight: About 15 kg Number made: 51 Cost: $750 ($5,000 in 2023)
2. Micral
Year released: 1973 CPU: Intel 8008 (3500 transistors) Speed: 500 KHz Memory: Up to 16 Kb Storage: paper tape Power consumed: Weight: 12 kg Number made: 500 Cost: $1750 ($11,000 in 2023)
3. Mark 8
Year released: 1974 CPU: Intel 8008 (3500 transistors) Speed: 500 KHz Memory: Up to 16 Kb Storage: Cassette (optional add-on) Power consumed: Weight: Number made: 400 Cost: $500 in parts ($3,000 in 2023)
4. Altair 8800
Year released: 1975 CPU: Intel 8080 (4,500 transistors) Speed: 2 MHz Memory: Up to 64k Storage: Paper tape, Cassette, Floppy Drive (optional add-ons) Power consumed: Weight: Number made: 25,000 Cost: $621 ($3,100 in 2023)
Thanks for watching and/or reading! I'm going to make sure to add more stuff on this blog that didn't quite make it into the videos. So stay tuned!
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