Difference between revisions of "Computer model"
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| − | [[Image:Commodore 64.jpg|thumb|256x256px|The [[Commodore 64]] is | + | [[Image:Commodore 64.jpg|thumb|256x256px|The [[Commodore 64]] is the best-selling single computer model in world history.]] |
| − | A '''computer model''' is a specific model of [[computer]]. In the early days of computers, every new computer was essentially a completely new combination of [[hardware]] and [[software]]. For example, the | + | A '''computer model''' is a specific model of [[computer]]. In the early days of computers, every new computer model was essentially a completely new combination of [[hardware]] and [[software]]. For example, the [[Commodore VIC-20]] was incompatible with software designed for previous [[Commodore PET]] and the subsequent [[Commodore 64]]. By the mid-1980s, computer models started to be released in lines of multiple models that ran compatible software like the [[Amiga]] which had over a dozen models featuring mostly-compatible software and hardware. By the late-1980s, most computer models were designed by cloning one of the most popular existing systems in order to be able to run their [[operating system]]s and software. By the mid-1990s, the computer model was largely irrelevant and it really mattered which operating system the computer could run. |
| + | |||
| + | Although computers were generally thought of as business machines, most of the early 8-bit home computers were sold primarily to be [[video game]] machines, but their software wasn't just inferior recreations of [[arcade]] titles common to [[video game console]]s of the time. Much of the software being released on home computers was inspired by the software circulating on university minicomputers. And, because they almost always shipped with a variation of [[BASIC]], enterprising users created a large variety of simple games for them. | ||
==Personal== | ==Personal== | ||
| − | Throughout my life I have used many different computer | + | Throughout my life I have used many different computer models. I began using various 8-bit home computer models in the 1980s, particularly the [[Commodore 64]] and [[TRS-80 Color Computer]]. My family's first computer was a Packard Bell 386 SX which ran [[MS-DOS]] 5.0 and [[Windows 3|Windows 3.0]] with multimedia extensions. As an adult, I have bought several older 8-bit computer models. |
==Computer Models== | ==Computer Models== | ||
These are computer models that are important to me. For all computer models, see the [[:Category:Computer Models|category]]. | These are computer models that are important to me. For all computer models, see the [[:Category:Computer Models|category]]. | ||
| + | ===Home Computers=== | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
| + | Amstrad - CPC 464.jpg|[[Amstrad CPC]] | ||
| + | Apple I - Motherboard.jpg|[[Apple I]] | ||
Apple II.jpg|[[Apple II]] | Apple II.jpg|[[Apple II]] | ||
| + | Apple IIgs - Computer.jpg|[[Apple IIgs]] | ||
Atari 800 - Computer.jpg|[[Atari 8-bit]] | Atari 800 - Computer.jpg|[[Atari 8-bit]] | ||
Atari ST - 520ST.jpg|[[Atari ST]] | Atari ST - 520ST.jpg|[[Atari ST]] | ||
Commodore 64.jpg|[[Commodore 64]] | Commodore 64.jpg|[[Commodore 64]] | ||
| − | Commodore VIC-20.jpg| | + | Commodore PET - 2001.jpg|[[Commodore PET]] |
| + | Commodore VIC-20.jpg|[[Commodore VIC-20]] | ||
| + | FM-7 - Original.jpg|[[FM-7]] | ||
IBM 5150 PC - With 5151 Monitor.jpg|[[IBM Personal Computer]] | IBM 5150 PC - With 5151 Monitor.jpg|[[IBM Personal Computer]] | ||
PCjr - Booting.jpg|IBM [[PCjr]] | PCjr - Booting.jpg|IBM [[PCjr]] | ||
Macintosh 128k.png|[[Macintosh Classic]] | Macintosh 128k.png|[[Macintosh Classic]] | ||
| + | MSX - Logo.svg|[[MSX]] Standard | ||
PC-8801 - Advertisement.jpg|[[PC-8800]] | PC-8801 - Advertisement.jpg|[[PC-8800]] | ||
PC-9801 - Original Model.jpg|[[PC-9800]] | PC-9801 - Original Model.jpg|[[PC-9800]] | ||
| + | Sharp X1 - System - Red.jpg|[[Sharp X1]] | ||
Tandy 1000.jpg|[[Tandy 1000]] | Tandy 1000.jpg|[[Tandy 1000]] | ||
| + | TRS-80 - Micro Computer System - With Expansion Interface.jpg|[[TRS-80|TRS-80 Model I]] | ||
TRS-80 Color Computer - Package.jpg|[[TRS-80 Color Computer]] | TRS-80 Color Computer - Package.jpg|[[TRS-80 Color Computer]] | ||
| + | ZX Spectrum 48k.jpg|[[ZX Spectrum]] | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Business Computers=== | ||
| + | * [[CDC Cyber 70]] | ||
| + | * [[HP 2100]] | ||
| + | * [[PDP-8]] | ||
| + | * [[PDP-11]] | ||
| + | * [[PLATO]] | ||
==Topics== | ==Topics== | ||
| + | * [[Kit computer]] | ||
* Category: [[:Category:Computer Models|Computer Models]] | * Category: [[:Category:Computer Models|Computer Models]] | ||
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==Links== | ==Links== | ||
{{Link|Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer}} | {{Link|Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | * [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_home_computers en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_home_computers] - Wikipedia - List of home computer models. | ||
| + | * [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Market_share_of_personal_computer_vendors en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Market_share_of_personal_computer_vendors] - Wikipedia - Market share of computer models. | ||
| + | * [http://www.minuszerodegrees.net/manuals.htm minuszerodegrees.net/manuals.htm] - Manuals for many computer models. | ||
[[Category: Computers]] | [[Category: Computers]] | ||
Latest revision as of 11:16, 7 November 2023
A computer model is a specific model of computer. In the early days of computers, every new computer model was essentially a completely new combination of hardware and software. For example, the Commodore VIC-20 was incompatible with software designed for previous Commodore PET and the subsequent Commodore 64. By the mid-1980s, computer models started to be released in lines of multiple models that ran compatible software like the Amiga which had over a dozen models featuring mostly-compatible software and hardware. By the late-1980s, most computer models were designed by cloning one of the most popular existing systems in order to be able to run their operating systems and software. By the mid-1990s, the computer model was largely irrelevant and it really mattered which operating system the computer could run.
Although computers were generally thought of as business machines, most of the early 8-bit home computers were sold primarily to be video game machines, but their software wasn't just inferior recreations of arcade titles common to video game consoles of the time. Much of the software being released on home computers was inspired by the software circulating on university minicomputers. And, because they almost always shipped with a variation of BASIC, enterprising users created a large variety of simple games for them.
Contents
Personal
Throughout my life I have used many different computer models. I began using various 8-bit home computer models in the 1980s, particularly the Commodore 64 and TRS-80 Color Computer. My family's first computer was a Packard Bell 386 SX which ran MS-DOS 5.0 and Windows 3.0 with multimedia extensions. As an adult, I have bought several older 8-bit computer models.
Computer Models
These are computer models that are important to me. For all computer models, see the category.
Home Computers
Business Computers
Topics
- Kit computer
- Category: Computer Models
Media
Pictures
A chronological time line of computers (1939-2010).
Evolution of early computers.
Links
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_home_computers - Wikipedia - List of home computer models.
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Market_share_of_personal_computer_vendors - Wikipedia - Market share of computer models.
- minuszerodegrees.net/manuals.htm - Manuals for many computer models.
