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The first paragraph of Rob Pike's write up: The Blit* is a graphics terminal characterized more by the software it runs than the hardware itself. The ha
by LukeShu 14y ago
The first paragraph of Rob Pike's write up:
The Blit* is a graphics terminal characterized more by the
software it runs than the hardware itself. The hardware is simple
and inexpensive (Figure 1): 256K bytes of memory dual-ported between
an 800x1024x1 bit display and a Motorola MC68000 microprocessor,
with 24K of ROM, an RS-232 interface, a mouse and a keyboard. Unlike
many graphics terminals, it has no special-purpose graphics
hardware; instead, the microprocessor executes all graphical
operations in software. The reasons for and consequences of this
design are discussed elsewhere.
http://doc.cat-v.org/bell_labs/blit/blit.pdf http://doc.cat-v.org/bell_labs/blit/blit.pdf
- wmf 14y agoThis looks like more hardware than a contemporary Macintosh, so I have to ask: inexpensive compared to what? A VAX?
- drbawb 14y agoIt used the same processor and 'only' twice the RAM. Even assuming the RAM is the most expensive component, by definition, the materials cost no more than twice the cost of the original Macintosh. (~2500USD in 1984) Of course, the Blit is just a terminal pulling applications down from a Unix host over the serial port; when you consider that the Blit is just a display, it does indeed seem a bit pricey.