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Maximim PC Article - influential 25 PC's

billdeg

billdeg

Technician
Joined
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Messages
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Location
Landenberg, PA USA
Erik,

Congratulations on your article in Maximum PC!

(I am a Maximum PC subscriber, and this morning I was reading the print copy with my morning coffee and hello...what's this?)

Here is the online version of the article
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/dawn_personal_computer_altair_ibm_pc

These articles always generate a lot of controversy, but I think that's why editors like them so much. Overall Erik was careful to avoid absolute statements, but I am sure that there will be some here who do not agree with the choices. Beyond that, I think it's important that there are articles like this in magazines like Maximum PC (I am a subscriber and recommend this mag) in that it helps bring new people into awareness of computer history. I think you're missing the point if you dwell too much on whether this or that computer should or should not be on Erik's list, as tempting as that may be to do.

Bill
 
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Shoot! I'm a Maximum PC subscriber as well and read that article but never paid attention to who wrote it. Thanks Erik, I enjoyed it.
 
i saw that on wambooli.com 's home page, in the news section. that was neat to read. thanks to Erik Kline (again) and whoever else it was who helped...
 
billdeg said:
Erik,

Congratulations on your article in Maximum PC!
Click to expand...

Thanks guys! :)

I've been a subscriber since MaxPC was Boot and I've always waited impatiently to devour the magazine when it came.

It was fun being an "accidental" contributor: I emailed them offering up items from my collection for their autopsy section and they replied with "that's cool, but here is a better idea. . ."

That led to this article as well as a likely web-only follow-up covering software.

We did a photo-shoot at the CHM for the Alto, Apple I and Scelbi and then I trucked all of the other stuff from my home in San Jose to their offices in South SF for two days of professional photography.

Fun stuff but a lot of work! :D
 
Indeed, great article; kudos, Erik!

Not to start the customary "Ya shoulda included the [my favorite model]!" thread, but I do find it odd that articles of this sort almost never include a clamshell laptop, i.e. GRID, PC5000, LTE etc., considering how hugely important they were (and are) in the growth of personal computing. The HX-20s et al weren't really in the same useabilty class as a PC, more like calculators on steroids, and of course the 'luggables' were just desktops squeezed into suitcases, still tethered to an AC outlet.

On the other hand, in my not-so-humble-opinion the PC- or Apple-compatible clamshell really changed the whole personal and social computing paradigm in a major way, so it's odd that they're so often ignored completely; in fact when you hear the word "computer," does a laptop even come to mind?
 
MikeS said:
Indeed, great article; kudos, Erik!
Click to expand...
Thanks!
MikeS said:
Not to start the customary "Ya shoulda included the [my favorite model]!" thread, but I do find it odd that articles of this sort almost never include a clamshell laptop, i.e. GRID, PC5000, LTE etc., considering how hugely important they were (and are) in the growth of personal computing. The HX-20s et al weren't really in the same useabilty class as a PC, more like calculators on steroids, and of course the 'luggables' were just desktops squeezed into suitcases, still tethered to an AC outlet.
Click to expand...

True, but my self-imposed cut-off for this piece was the 1984 introduction of the IBM AT. . . That axed out any clamshells and the Amiga, amongst others.
 
Fantastic article!

I was not aware of Maximum PC's existance prior to this, but now see the light!

There were some good reads and alot of fun facts I didn't know. Good job!

--Ryan
 
Erik said:
Thanks!


True, but my self-imposed cut-off for this piece was the 1984 introduction of the IBM AT. . . That axed out any clamshells and the Amiga, amongst others.
Click to expand...
Well, the GRID had been out a couple of years by then, and a couple of others too, but I take your point; they weren't really a mainstream item yet.

But I still think that at least from a hardware point of view they're the last really new thing to come along; being able to read your email while sitting at Starbucks or working on that spreadsheet while out on the lake really changed what a computer is/does.
 
Wonderful

Wonderful

Wonderful article! I learned a lot here. I've always felt I didn't know nearly enough about the historical time line of computers. Concise, informative and very enjoyable to read. Thanks and congratulations Erik!
 
Beautiful photos Erik and a good run through some notable machines.

One thing though. Of the Franklin Ace (1983) you say:

"Notable Firsts Caused the first software copyright lawsuit"

Are you sure this is right? How about where Tandy sued PMC in 1981, for violations of copywrite of software in ROM? I thought this was the precident, two years before the Franklin Ace?

Tez
 
" This machine helped cement the idea of a “home” computer when that concept was almost as alien as a personal aircraft carrier"

LOL!
 
tezza said:
Are you sure this is right? How about where Tandy sued PMC in 1981, for violations of copywrite of software in ROM? I thought this was the precident, two years before the Franklin Ace?
Click to expand...

Hmm. Good point.

I knew I should have run it past y'all as proof-readers! :D

Thanks,
 
Forget everything else - who's PCjr was that?

I was very surprised too see that in the article.


Mike
 
Cool! I was hoping it was that one ...

I should drop an email to the original owner letting him know his machine became semi-famous ...


Mike
 
IBM was more influential, hobbiests less.

IBM was more influential, hobbiests less.

Early hobby machines had trouble finding the keyboard and monitor until IBM showed the world what the first integrated portable should look like in 1975 - (IBM 5100 Portable). Too bad it cost as much as a moderately priced house, for the 64K model.

Relentlessly, the pirates of the fire, in the silicon valley got on top and formed most of the great tech companies we know today!

:p
 
wow, so you got the Mark-8 finished? you must be busy then not to update your website. and, great article on software.

Karen Kline - married or family? :)
 
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