On 5/25/2024 12:09 PM, Chuck Guzis via cctalk wrote:
On 5/25/24 08:14, Jon Elson via cctalk wrote:
Yes, the Bendix G-15 was said to be the first personal computer. It was
as big as a refrigerator, and weighed a LOT more, and drew much more
power. (300 vacuum tubes, 3000 Germanium diodes, drum memory.) but,
one guy could program it and run it.
The LINC comes in a close second.
Offhand, if I were King of the World, I'd immediately eliminate from
competition those computers that cannot be run from a US 120 volt 15 amp
wall receptacle. The rationale being that anything that requires
special power wiring cannot be "personal"
None of the houses I have lived in were limited to 120V 15A. Even my
very first apartment 50 years ago (over some guys garage) had 120V 30A
(Intended for an A/C Unit but you could plug anything in it you wanted.)
Every house I have owned had 230V available. I have several large power
outlets in my current home. Range, clothes dryer, water heater, hot
tub. And I have 220V 50A in the garage feeding my welder, electric
heater and a 30A outlet for my camper.
In the past I have had PDP-11's (with RL and RA disks), VAX, AT&T 3b's,
an Apollo (great space heater on cold winter days) and piles of systems
people are more likely to accept as "Personal".
bill
