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a computer w/o a microprocessor

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Vintage Computing Pages

Since you're here, you are probably looking for vintage computers. I've been a computer hobbyist since the early 80s. Over the years, I've gathered a collection of machines that played a role in shaping the microcomputer revolution. This site is dedicated to them.

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I also got into homebrewing: designing your own computers. Whatever it is, I hope you find on this site what you came to look for!

Homebrew Computer Kits

The PiDP-10 

A faithful replica of the 19668 PDP-10 and MIT's complete AI Lab

 

My third DEC replica, and quite a special one. A computer History Capsule!

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It gives a hardware shape to the ITS Reconstruction Project (link).

So, yes, it is a fully functioning replica of the 1960s PDP-10 mainframe. It will run DEC's own TOPS-10 operating system.

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But it also includes tons of additional hardware, as found in MIT's famous AI Lab. 

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And the PiDP-10 also runs the reconstructed ITS operating system, that was developed at MIT by hackers - the only hackers at the time who could play with a computer of this size and power.

Hundreds of important, interesting and simply fun programs were written for it, making the PDP-10 the only mainframe ever that is just fun to use...

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The PiDP-11 kit

A faithful replica of the 1975 PDP-11/70

 

The PDP-11 was a hugely significant computer. Its architecture influenced pretty much every CPU and computer designed afterwards. It was also the first machine for which you could buy Unix...

The PiDP-8 kit

A faithful replica of the 1968 PDP-8/I

 

The 8/I is the favourite computer I never had... And by now, real ones are impossible to obtain. And to maintain. So the PiDP-8/I has become my 2015 replica project.

The KIM Uno kit

A homebrew clone of the vintage KIM-1

 

The KIM Uno is a calculator-sized board based on an Arduino Pro Mini. It emulates the KIM-1, with a lot of vintage programs ready to run in ROM. It's also extended with a calculator mode, that turns the venerable KIM into a 6502 programmable calculator.

Perhaps you are not looking for computers at all... If you are the proud owner of a Hurley sailing boat you may be looking for its documentation archive - that site, by now more than 17 years old, is below along with various other curiosa I picked up along the way...

Sailing the Hurley 22

Suzuki SA-310 Memorial Page

More...

This is a personal web site. Although a real effort was made to trace owners of all illustrations used on the site, please let me know through the Contacts page if you feel that any materials infringe on copyrights or Fair Use. I would like to thank www.old-computers.com and www.oldcomputers.net for the kind permission for the use of some of their pictures.

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