Retro Andrei Blog @RetroAndreiBlog

One byte of ENIAC RAM (circa 1946). Back when a single byte needed an entire rack of vacuum tubes. #RetroComputing #ComputerHistory #ENIAC #VacuumTubes

IBM 5100, released in 1975 - a 25 kg "portable" computer. Programs were stored on huge cassettes, but the real highlight was the toggle switch: BASIC or APL, selected in hardware. #RetroComputing #VintageComputers #IBM5100 #APL #BASIC

Flying with laptops! Cover of Byte magazine, September 1983. The machines resemble Osborne's portable computers. #RetroComputing #VintageComputers #ByteMagazine #Osborne

A computer shop in Japan, 1982. Packed with early home computers, monitors, and cassette drives. Pure retro soul. #RetroComputing #VintageComputers #Japan #昭和レトロ

Two charming and rare monochrome PCs: + NCR Decision Mate V (1984) with the classic green phosphor glow. + NEC N5200/3 (1987) with a more unusual display tone. #RetroComputing #VintageComputers #NCR #NEC

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Casio made plenty of fun calculators, but this boxing-themed one (BG-15) is new to me. Reportedly a hit with school kids in the 80s. #RetroTech #VintageElectronics #Casio #Calculator

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Portable PC design: a full desktop tower + keyboard + monitor. When folded, the screen faced the system unit for protection. A suitcase-sized computer for serious mobility. #RetroComputing #PortablePC #Luggable #VintagePC

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A keyboard for musicians - complete with parentheses! Kawai SX-240, early 80s, an 8-voice polyphonic synth with real retro charm. #RetroSynth #VintageGear #Kawai #SX240

In 1980, if you bought a Burroughs B90 for your office, you didn't need a desk - the computer was the desk. And that "fridge" in the corner? About 200 MB of storage. The entry-level B92 cost a modest five-figure sum, giving you 128 KB of RAM and a COBOL compiler. #RetroComputing

The Fairchild Channel F console, released in 1976. CPU by Robert Noyce, who later co-founded Intel. RAM: 64 bytes. Graphics: 128×64, 8 colors. And those controllers? Still look ready for store shelves today. #RetroComputing #RetroGaming #FairchildChannelF #RobertNoyce

Experimental design era: the Olivetti M21 portable computer (1984). Check out that orange-and-white brightness/contrast knob! #RetroComputing #VintageComputers #Olivetti #M21

Keyboard from the Intel MDS computer, 1979. Built-in vampire protection included! #RetroComputing #VintageComputers #Intel #MDS

Check out this beauty: the Olivetti TCV 250 terminal from 1966. Powered by a vacuum-tube video card and core memory. Design by Mario Bellini. #RetroComputing #VintageComputers #Olivetti #MarioBellini

This is how computer memory was made! New York, 1956. Photo by Ansel Adams. If you also knew how to knit, you could upgrade your RAM yourself! #RetroComputing #VintageComputers #CoreMemory #AnselAdams