Discovering My Past: The Evolution of Computers in 1984

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying a computer from a photo taken in 1984, with participants sharing their experiences and memories of computers from that era. The conversation includes references to various models, personal anecdotes, and the evolution of technology over time.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the identity of a computer in a photo, suggesting it might be a Commodore 64.
  • Another participant humorously suggests the object is an electric space heater.
  • Several participants speculate whether the computer is an Atari or an IBM, with mixed opinions on the identification.
  • There are discussions about the Compaq Portable, with some participants confirming its identity and sharing links to images.
  • Participants reminisce about the high cost of computers in the 1980s, with one noting a Compaq's price of $2999 in 1983.
  • Some participants reflect on their early computing experiences, mentioning the limitations of technology before the internet era.
  • There are humorous exchanges about the use of older computers, including references to DOS and early gaming experiences.
  • One participant recalls using a Zenith computer with DOS 2.0 and discusses the challenges of early computing.
  • Another shares memories of using a Macintosh and the early networking experiences in their department.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a variety of opinions regarding the identity of the computer in the photo, with no consensus reached. There are also differing recollections of personal experiences with computers from the 1980s, indicating a mix of agreement and disagreement on specific details.

Contextual Notes

Some participants reference specific models and prices without providing detailed specifications or context, leading to potential gaps in understanding the evolution of technology during that period.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those nostalgic about early computing, individuals researching the history of computers, and enthusiasts of vintage technology.

Evo
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This is me, 9 months pregnant with the Spawn. What computer is that? The year is 1984. I know I had a Commodore 64 with a large monitor (in orange). What is this?

spawncomputer6hq.jpg
 
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Evo said:
What is this?

It is an electric space heater. :biggrin:
 
Is it an Atari?
 
There's a computer there? All I saw were some legs :-p
 
Does that fuzzy white say IBM?
 
mattmns said:
There's a computer there? All I saw were some legs :-p
Aw...free GOOBF card for mattmns. :smile:
 
cyrusabdollahi said:
Does that white bit say IBM?
I can't tell what it says. I'll bet it's somewhere in my basement.

I had a Compaq, but it was a laptop. It came with a hand crank and optional hamster wheel.
 
Looks like an IBM to me,

ibm5155.jpg


They were the power house back in the day.
 
Evo said:
I can't tell what it says. I'll bet it's somewhere in my basement.

I had a Compaq, but it was a laptop. It came with a hand crank and optional hamster wheel.

hey, you got it!

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/0d/CompaqPortable.jpg

It is a compaq! And here I was searching oscilloscopes...:rolleyes:
 
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  • #10
Notice the size of the box of floppies?
 
  • #11
cyrusabdollahi said:
hey, you got it!

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/0d/CompaqPortable.jpg

It is a compaq! And here I was searching oscilloscopes...:rolleyes:
OMG! That's it!

Ok, I now have to give cyrus anything he wants.
 
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  • #12
Evo said:
OMG! That's it!

Ok, I know have to give cyrus anything he wants.

According to wiki, that bad boy cost $2999 bucks new in 83!

It's a good thing computer prices have gone down :rolleyes:
 
  • #13
Is it a museum piece? :smile: http://www.vintage-computer.com/compaq_portable.shtml

:smile: It's a "portable" computer. :smile:
 
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  • #14
I first thought it was the fine machine called the Apple Lisa:

apple1_00.jpg
 
  • #15
cyrusabdollahi said:
According to wiki, that bad boy cost $2999 bucks new in 83!

It's a good thing computer prices have gone down :rolleyes:
Yep, it wasn't cheap. I bought it in 83. But I could type recipes into it. :bugeye:
 
  • #16
yomamma said:
I first thought it was the fine machine called the Apple Lisa:

apple1_00.jpg

:smile: For some reason that made me bust out in laughter! :smile:

Oh man, your killing me...

I always knew Lisa! was evil!

The mouse has ONE button! :smile: ohhh my goodness...what a POS...
 
  • #17
Evo said:
Yep, it wasn't cheap. I bought it in 83. But I could type recipes into it. :bugeye:

Yeah, but this was before the internet!

What did you use it for? It probably had word processing and that's about it.
 
  • #18
cyrusabdollahi said:
Yeah, but this was before the internet!

What did you use it for? It probably had word processing and that's about it.
:frown: :redface: Word processing.

Well, there were billboards back then , if you knew how to connect.
 
  • #19
Hey, I was on the bleeding edge of technology.
 
  • #20
When Tim Berners-Lee gave the world his www adressing, that started the internet. That was in 1993, If I am not mistaken.
 
  • #21
In 1993 I also bought a Pckard Bell multi media computer that allowed me to plug my cable tv cord in and record cable tv shows. And I bought Myst and another very cool program I can't remember with a dragon that was hidden.
 
  • #22
Evo said:
In 1993 I also bought a Pckard Bell multi media computer that allowed me to plug my cable tv cord in and record cable tv shows. And I bought Myst and another very cool program I can't remember with a dragon that was hidden.


:smile: What was the record time, 5min before your 1GB hard drive was full? :smile:

The dark ages :devil:
 
  • #23
cyrusabdollahi said:
:smile: What was the record time, 5min before your 1GB hard drive was full? :smile:

The dark ages :devil:
1 Gb was unheard of. :redface:
 
  • #24
lol our first computer ran on windows 98 and I told my parents it sucked but they woudln't listen to me
 
  • #25
mattmns said:
There's a computer there? All I saw were some legs :-p


i was thinking of those legs on way from work and mattmns beats me to it, they are a 10 out of 10 on the wollie wow factor.:!)
 
  • #26
wolram said:
i was thinking of those legs on way from work and mattmns beats me to it, they are a 10 out of 10 on the wollie wow factor.:!)
Awwww, a GOOBF card for you too wolram. :smile:
 
  • #27
Evo said:
Is it a museum piece? :smile: http://www.vintage-computer.com/compaq_portable.shtml

:smile: It's a "portable" computer. :smile:
I still have an original 1.1 Dos disk for one of those compaqs. :smile:
 
  • #28
Evo said:
Awwww, a GOOBF card for you too wolram. :smile:

Any up to date pics:rolleyes: :biggrin:
 
  • #29
Evo said:
1 Gb was unheard of. :redface:
Not entirely. I had a .5 gig, I bought used for around $300 back then.
IIRC a new 1Gig disk was about $1500 in 93 and $10,000 in 85.

PS: Nice legs
 
  • #30
NoTime said:
PS: Nice legs
Thanks, I've always been told that.
 

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