Difference between revisions of "History of Computers - Xerox Notetaker"
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The Xerox Notetaker was the first portable computer. It never reached commercial production but it pioneered the path for later personal portable computers. | The Xerox Notetaker was the first portable computer. It never reached commercial production but it pioneered the path for later personal portable computers. | ||
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http://history-computer.com/ModernComputer/Personal/images/Xerox_NoteTaker.jpg | http://history-computer.com/ModernComputer/Personal/images/Xerox_NoteTaker.jpg | ||
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'''Overview''' | '''Overview''' | ||
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Revision as of 14:13, 16 September 2016
The Xerox Notetaker was the first portable computer. It never reached commercial production but it pioneered the path for later personal portable computers.
Overview
The Xerox Notetaker was designed as the first truly portable computer. Users were able power the device through batteries that usually lasted 2-3 hrs. The power system could provide 125 watts, at maximum the system used 80 watts. The device featured a small monochrome display monitor with a transparent overlay for pointing on the screen.The display monitor had a screen resolution of 118 dots/inch. The device also featured a mini floppy disk capable of storing 340K bytes of data, a central CPU with an Intel processor and 16 bits of local memory, a 2-inch speaker, analog to digital converter, 8 high voltage drivers, a mouse and a standard keyboard identical to the Alto 1 keyboard. The modem was capable of operation at 300 bps and could connect directly to a telephone. The Xerox Notetaker weighed 48 lbs with batteries and came in a case 21" length, 14" width and 7" tall.[1]
Significance
The Xerox Notetaker heavily influence the design of future commercially successful portable computers such as the Osbourne 1 and Compaq Portable computers. It pioneered the creation of computers that could work without being plugged into a power source and made Alan Key's concept of a portable device a reality.
Refrences
<http://www.computerhistory.org/revolution/artifact/316/1689?position=0>
<http://www.cnmeonline.com/vintage-tech/vintage-tech-xerox-notetaker/>
<http://history-computer.com/Library/Xerox_NoteTaker_System_Manual.pdf>
