The Grid Compass' claim to fame lies in the fact that it was the first portable computer to enjoy the "clamshell" design, in which the screen folds down flat over the keyboard.
It's Intel 8086 processor pumped out about 8 MHz of computing power for working with its 256kb of RAM. The bright 320x200 pixel screen was considered high resolution, and allowed 80 by 24 text. Unfortunately there were no internal floppy or hard drives, though these could be attached externally via a special bus.
At 11 pounds, the Grid Compass could finally be considered truly portable. In fact, in 1985 NASA took the Grid Compass on board it's "Discovery" mission.
All these amazing innovations came at a price, though. The Grid Compass cost a whopping $8150
No comments:
Post a Comment