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As much as the computer types can argue the fine details, I think the 8008 started the computer revolution. We carry some ideas from the 8008 in our x64 proces

As much as the computer types can argue the fine details, I think the 8008 started the computer revolution. We carry some ideas from the 8008 in our x64 processors. I remember "The Computer Hobbyist" producing a two-column monthly newsletter using a computer-connected typewriter, and a program on their 8008 that justified the text right-and-left for those two columns. My question is: I recall there was a "-1" version that was somewhat faster than the stock version. Did they accomplish the extra speed by doing silicon tweaks, or did they just sort the lots into speed grades? And if so, how fast can one push these chips? Last question is about why the Osbourne and other such portable computers took so long to appear; I had a battery-powered B&W TV set (used 9 D batteries) that worked great in those days; and it could have been easily driven by an 8008 battery-powered system, making a truly portable computer.

jecel 6y ago
While it doesn't use a CRT as its display, perhaps this 1973 portable is what you are looking for? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MCM/70 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MCM/70
- GeorgeTirebiter 6y ago
  Thank you. I didn't know about the MCM/70 (and, aside: interesting that Wikipedia calls this article '70' which is in the 'MCM' directory). Another was https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SCELBI https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SCELBI and I suppose anybody could have strapped on enough batteries in 1973 and called it a Portable. Still, Osbourne seems to have been first with the concept: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osborne_Computer_Corporation https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osborne_Computer_Corporation The Osbourne 1 was in 1981, 8 years after the MCM/70 and SCELBI. It's that 8-year-gap that I find fascinating.
- kens 6y ago
  As far as I can tell, the battery-powered version of the MCM/70 (the MCM/70 Executive) didn't make it beyond the prototype stage. The regular MCM/70 was a "desktop" computer that needed to be plugged in.
kens 6y ago
I'd say that the 8008 started the microcomputer revolution, not the computer revolution (which was started by ENIAC). Assorted disclaimers, of course. In particular, the 8008 was a clone of the TTL-based Datapoint 2200 desktop terminal/computer. The regular 8008 ran at 500 kHz while the 8008-1 ran at 800 kHz. As far as I know, the -1 version was just from sorting, without any special changes. (Of course as they improved their manufacturing process, you'd expect more would sort into the faster bucket.) In comparison, the 8086 die was shrunk over time with new generations of the HMOS process, so it had a "genuine" speedup. Yes, it's interesting that the Osborne 1 "portable" computer didn't show up until 1981. I think there are two reasons. First, the technology wasn't ready in 1972, not just the processor but memory, display technology, floppy disks, and importantly software. It wasn't until 1975 that IBM made an extremely expensive portable (the 5100) and 1978 when Xerox made an even more expensive prototype portable (the Notetaker). But by 1981, technology had improved so Osborne could make a moderately useful portable at a high but plausible price.
Someone 6y ago
Long? The first micros you wouldn’t have to solder yourself, add a tty or keyboard, etc (Apple II, Commodore PET, TRS-80) were from 1977. The Osborne shipped in April 1981. Also, was that tv-set good enough to show text on? And what was its battery life? Losing power on a micro (presumably without a floppy disk) would be more of a nuisance than losing power on a tv.
- GeorgeTirebiter 6y ago
  But portable? That took till '81 as you say. I still have the TV, and with a converter box, it still displays OTA TV just fine; it wasn't great for text display, was something like 40 x 16 -- but that's better than 0x0. There are 9 D batteries --- it lasts about 2 days (48 hours). I used NiCd rechargeables, it lasted about 24 hours between recharges. And of course it had an AC adapter box.
  - Someone 6y ago
    I guess you’re a few years amiss w.r.t. that tv (or do I interpret that 48 hours wrong?) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_set#LCD_television https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_set#LCD_television says “By 1982, pocket LCD TVs based on AM LCD technology were developed in Japan”, so if we’re talking before the Osborne, it must have been a CRT. I don’t see you power that with 9 D batteries for two days. Reading https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D_battery#Dimensions_and_capacity https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D_battery#Dimensions_and_capac..., 9 D batteries is, at best, 250Wh. So, running for 48 hours would give you a power envelope of about 5W. NiCd batteries decreases that to 63Wh, or to 1½W. Can that power a CRT tv? Also, reading http://michaeljmahon.com/AppleCrateII.html http://michaeljmahon.com/AppleCrateII.html, even an Apple ][ board with empty slots takes 4.2W. For an 8008, you probably can get lower power usage, but who would be willing to sacrifice computer power for portability?

jecel 6y ago

While it doesn't use a CRT as its display, perhaps this 1973 portable is what you are looking for? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MCM/70 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MCM/70

GeorgeTirebiter 6y ago
Thank you. I didn't know about the MCM/70 (and, aside: interesting that Wikipedia calls this article '70' which is in the 'MCM' directory). Another was https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SCELBI https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SCELBI and I suppose anybody could have strapped on enough batteries in 1973 and called it a Portable. Still, Osbourne seems to have been first with the concept: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osborne_Computer_Corporation https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osborne_Computer_Corporation The Osbourne 1 was in 1981, 8 years after the MCM/70 and SCELBI. It's that 8-year-gap that I find fascinating.
kens 6y ago
As far as I can tell, the battery-powered version of the MCM/70 (the MCM/70 Executive) didn't make it beyond the prototype stage. The regular MCM/70 was a "desktop" computer that needed to be plugged in.

kens 6y ago

I'd say that the 8008 started the microcomputer revolution, not the computer revolution (which was started by ENIAC). Assorted disclaimers, of course. In particular, the 8008 was a clone of the TTL-based Datapoint 2200 desktop terminal/computer. The regular 8008 ran at 500 kHz while the 8008-1 ran at 800 kHz. As far as I know, the -1 version was just from sorting, without any special changes. (Of course as they improved their manufacturing process, you'd expect more would sort into the faster bucket.) In comparison, the 8086 die was shrunk over time with new generations of the HMOS process, so it had a "genuine" speedup. Yes, it's interesting that the Osborne 1 "portable" computer didn't show up until 1981. I think there are two reasons. First, the technology wasn't ready in 1972, not just the processor but memory, display technology, floppy disks, and importantly software. It wasn't until 1975 that IBM made an extremely expensive portable (the 5100) and 1978 when Xerox made an even more expensive prototype portable (the Notetaker). But by 1981, technology had improved so Osborne could make a moderately useful portable at a high but plausible price.

Someone 6y ago

Long? The first micros you wouldn’t have to solder yourself, add a tty or keyboard, etc (Apple II, Commodore PET, TRS-80) were from 1977. The Osborne shipped in April 1981. Also, was that tv-set good enough to show text on? And what was its battery life? Losing power on a micro (presumably without a floppy disk) would be more of a nuisance than losing power on a tv.

GeorgeTirebiter 6y ago
But portable? That took till '81 as you say. I still have the TV, and with a converter box, it still displays OTA TV just fine; it wasn't great for text display, was something like 40 x 16 -- but that's better than 0x0. There are 9 D batteries --- it lasts about 2 days (48 hours). I used NiCd rechargeables, it lasted about 24 hours between recharges. And of course it had an AC adapter box.
- Someone 6y ago
  I guess you’re a few years amiss w.r.t. that tv (or do I interpret that 48 hours wrong?) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_set#LCD_television https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_set#LCD_television says “By 1982, pocket LCD TVs based on AM LCD technology were developed in Japan”, so if we’re talking before the Osborne, it must have been a CRT. I don’t see you power that with 9 D batteries for two days. Reading https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D_battery#Dimensions_and_capacity https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D_battery#Dimensions_and_capac..., 9 D batteries is, at best, 250Wh. So, running for 48 hours would give you a power envelope of about 5W. NiCd batteries decreases that to 63Wh, or to 1½W. Can that power a CRT tv? Also, reading http://michaeljmahon.com/AppleCrateII.html http://michaeljmahon.com/AppleCrateII.html, even an Apple ][ board with empty slots takes 4.2W. For an 8008, you probably can get lower power usage, but who would be willing to sacrifice computer power for portability?