Osborne 1
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The Osborne 1, created by publisher Adam Osborne and released in April 1981, was the first portable "all-in-one" microcomputer. It weighed 23.5 pounds (12 kg), cost US$1795, and ran the popular CP/M 2.2 operating system. It's principle deficiency was a tiny 5 inch (13 cm) display screen.
Besides being the first portable computer, the Osborne 1 was also the first computer that included software; the bundled WordStar wordprocessor, SuperCalc spreadsheet, dBase II database program, and CBASIC + MBASIC had a retail value of more than $2,000. The machine's hardware features included dual 5¼-inch floppy disk drives, a 4 MHz Z80 CPU, a fold down keyboard which doubled as the computer case's lid, and the 5 inch, 52 character × 24 line monochrome CRT display.
At its peak, Osborne Computer Corporation shipped 10,000 Osborne 1's per month. The computer was widely imitated as several other computer companies started bundling software, lowering prices, and offering portable computers. Compared to smaller and lighter laptop portable computers manufactured later, the luggage size Osborne 1 may be more accurately described as a luggable or transportable computer. The Osborne's popularity was superseded by the similar Kaypro which had a much more usable 9 inch (23 cm) display screen. Later Compaq broke through with a portable computer including a 9 inch CRT, that was software compatible with the IBM PC (the Compaq was the first PC clone).
External link
- Osborne 1 (http://oldcomputers.net/osborne.html)