Times Have Changed #2
Today's episode: the Multimedia Notebook.
(from the November 1993 issue of Popular Science)
Comments
Listed in chronological order. Newest comments at the end.
Listed in chronological order. Newest comments at the end.
Aw Dude!! I USED one of those many a moon ago, in my first job out of college. It was called a "luggable". Exceptions for the CD-ROM parts though. I don't think CD's were invented in that era. It did, I beleive, have the most up-to-date technology with the 3.5" floppy. The printer we had was about the same size. And if memory serves me, it was a monochrome screen, in orange or something like that (not green).
And look at the prices back then. Just think what power you could get today for $7700 on one machine.
And look at the prices back then. Just think what power you could get today for $7700 on one machine.
Posted by Paul in Athens GA on 05/08 at 01:59 PM
*sigh* My first portable was from the Osborne Computer Corporation. Well, it was the lab's really, but I was the poor schmoe lumbered with operating (hence carrying) it.
My back hurts just remembering!
My back hurts just remembering!
Posted by Dumbfounded on 05/08 at 02:38 PM
That's a real blast from the past, Paul. But it reminds me of an odd fact from the world of science, more specifically biological field research; Many scientists in that field still use laptops of this vintage for biometric and biostatistical work on animal populations, because the older TRS computers have something that modern computers not only lack, but also cannot be fitted with - Integral barcode readers for tags on animals that are being tracked.
Yes, hand-held scanners are often used, but the internal calculation and display of data gathered with one is not possible on the scanning device- it needs a computer, and often to cost of buying most combniations of modern scanner and computer is beyond the budget of biologists. So, the older machines are still in service. Many of them are also pretty robust compared to the commercial version ( though maybe not the MilSpec Toshibas
)
Brings new mwaning to the term obsolete . . .
Yes, hand-held scanners are often used, but the internal calculation and display of data gathered with one is not possible on the scanning device- it needs a computer, and often to cost of buying most combniations of modern scanner and computer is beyond the budget of biologists. So, the older machines are still in service. Many of them are also pretty robust compared to the commercial version ( though maybe not the MilSpec Toshibas
) Brings new mwaning to the term obsolete . . .
Posted by D F Stuckey in Auckland New Zealand on 05/08 at 02:44 PM
Because of my obsession with everything old, I actually own several vintage Apple PowerBooks from around that time, they are wonderful writing computers and people's reactions when they realize I use a 1992 PowerBook Duo (great grandfather of the MacBook Air) to take notes in college classes are priceless.
To me the most bizarre thing about this article is the fact that by 1993 "notebook" computers were already in the form factor we use now. Sure, they could be 2 inches thick, weigh 8 pounds and have a 9 inch passive-matrix grayscale screen, but they were light and fit in a backpack. This thing is literally the size and weight of a suitcase. Why they would call it a "notebook" is beyond my understanding, as is why they chose to use the term "multimedia" (personal computers couldn't really handle digital video, there were no digital audio formats besides MIDI that were small enough for the hard drives, and digital cameras still cost several thousand dollars and produced very poor results).
I saw one of these suitcase sized "laptops" on eBay about 5 years ago, and ever since I wish that I had bought it.
To me the most bizarre thing about this article is the fact that by 1993 "notebook" computers were already in the form factor we use now. Sure, they could be 2 inches thick, weigh 8 pounds and have a 9 inch passive-matrix grayscale screen, but they were light and fit in a backpack. This thing is literally the size and weight of a suitcase. Why they would call it a "notebook" is beyond my understanding, as is why they chose to use the term "multimedia" (personal computers couldn't really handle digital video, there were no digital audio formats besides MIDI that were small enough for the hard drives, and digital cameras still cost several thousand dollars and produced very poor results).
I saw one of these suitcase sized "laptops" on eBay about 5 years ago, and ever since I wish that I had bought it.
Posted by Salamander Sam in Chicago on 05/08 at 04:13 PM
"Multimedia" was the buzzword back then, it was to open up a whole new area of "experiences" and "interactivity" with the PC.
Yeah right.
What it amounted to was something like MS Encarta where you had lo-fi sound clips or grainy videos the size of business cards.
By the time technology had caught up to the promises, the idea was long gone.
Yeah right.
What it amounted to was something like MS Encarta where you had lo-fi sound clips or grainy videos the size of business cards.
By the time technology had caught up to the promises, the idea was long gone.
Posted by Doug Pirahna on 05/08 at 05:42 PM
Multimedia is still a buzz word. Ever heard of a media center PC? They even sell new "multimedia notebooks," but at least now that term is justified because they have 17 inch high resolution screens, DVD or Blu-Ray drives, iTunes, and plenty of internet video streaming sites. All this one has is dual speakers (they don't even mention if they are stereo), a color screen, and a CD-ROM drive (which, I must admit, would have been a very cool feature for a portable computer back then)
Posted by Salamander Sam in Chicago on 05/08 at 06:06 PM
a reminder of how far the technology has come in a relatively short period of time. df technological improvements rather than failure to function as intended is the main reason most computers become 'obsolete'. if it still does the job and one doesn't have to buy new that is great. the only real problem becomes repairs when needed as the companies like to discontinue making parts so as to 'encourage' everyone to buy new. (planned obsolesence)
Posted by patty on 05/08 at 07:29 PM
Salamander: I have some things which may interest you in my basement, including several Trash-80 Model 1s and at least one and possibly two Radio Shack Model 100s, which was their first venture into the "portable" market. And they did a surprisingly good job! Weighing only about 5 pounds and using hardware modules, they could accomplish things like word processing (in a fashion) and a number of other functions I can't remember at the moment.
My first real "portable computer" was also a luggable, Compaq Portable III 286, all 45 pounds of it. *groan* We used to (lovingly... not so much) joke that the serial number on the motherboard was 666. I had the good sense to get rid of it when a suck... I mean a buyer came along who liked the full keyboard including numeric keypad which most early portables didn't have.
If you're interested in some of these pieces of computer history, drop me a line at I'm sure we can come to an agreement that would make both of us happy.
My first real "portable computer" was also a luggable, Compaq Portable III 286, all 45 pounds of it. *groan* We used to (lovingly... not so much) joke that the serial number on the motherboard was 666. I had the good sense to get rid of it when a suck... I mean a buyer came along who liked the full keyboard including numeric keypad which most early portables didn't have.
If you're interested in some of these pieces of computer history, drop me a line at I'm sure we can come to an agreement that would make both of us happy.
Posted by StarThrower in A Southern Planet on 05/09 at 04:08 AM
SS - Talk about a blast from the past. It made me remember my first 2 desktop computers: the first was an IBM with 2 5.25 floppy disks and no hd. The second had a ginormous hd; 33meg that had to be split since DOS could only see 30 megs. That one may have even had a wopping 1mg of memory on a piggy back board to boost it over the 64K it orignally had. I may still have the IBM somewhere but the second one died.
Posted by DM in a room with soft walls on 05/09 at 07:44 AM
OMG - this reminds me of a college professor I had. He tried to con me into working putting up a fence at his house over the weekend in exchange for an "extra" laptop he wasn't using. Fortunately, I asked to see the laptop first - it was the size of a freaking suitcase!!! (and had to weigh 40 lbs) I bet it predated this model by 3 or 4 years!
Posted by Vern in KY on 05/12 at 07:09 PM
Oh, now mr./Ms Kharimuntja is quoting me verbatim?
Right - I demand my IP rights and a cut of the profit you're making!!
Right - I demand my IP rights and a cut of the profit you're making!!
Posted by D F Stuckey in Auckland New Zealand on 12/02 at 03:49 PM
good luck with that df!
Posted by patty on 12/02 at 05:21 PM
Thanks Patty, but considering the US judicial system has just fined a local lad US$2 Million for doing this and our country likes to protect its citizens from even minor financial criminl action form the States, I reckon I can take on some Mumbai-based cellar dweller who spams this portal in between fantasising about sleeping with his mother/her father . . . We shall see.
Posted by D F Stuckey in AUckland New Zealand on 12/02 at 05:27 PM
if you put it to the spammers you will definitely become my personal hero sweetie!
Posted by patty on 12/02 at 05:45 PM
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Category: Products, Computers, 1990's, Yesterday's Tomorrows