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1980s Unix desktop computer From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The AT&T UNIX PC is a Unix desktop computer originally developed by Convergent Technologies[2] (later acquired by Unisys),[5][1] and marketed by AT&T Information Systems in the mid- to late-1980s. The system was codenamed "Safari 4"[6] and is also known as the PC 7300, and often dubbed the "3B1". Despite the latter name, the system had little in common with AT&T's line of 3B series computers. The system was tailored for use as a productivity tool in office environments and as an electronic communication center.[7]
Manufacturer | Convergent Technologies[2] |
---|---|
Type | Professional Computer |
Release date | March 26, 1985[3] |
Introductory price | US$5,095 (equivalent to $14,400 in 2023) - US$7,290 (equivalent to $20,700 in 2023)[3][4] |
Media | 5¼-inch floppy disks, optional QIC tapes |
Operating system | AT&T UNIX v3.51[1] (Based on SVR2) |
CPU | Motorola 68010 with custom MMU clocked at 10 MHz |
Memory | 512 KB to 4 MB RAM |
Storage | 10 MB, Optional 20 MB, 40 MB,[2] and 67 MB hard drives[1] |
Display | 12 inches (30 cm), 720 x 348 |
Input | Keyboard, 3-button Mouse |
Connectivity | RS-232 port, Parallel port, 3 phone jacks |
Mass | 40 lb (18 kg) |
The initial PC 7300 model offered a modest 512 KB[2] of memory and a small, low performance 10 MB hard drive.[3] This model, although progressive in offering a Unix system for desktop office operation, was underpowered and produced considerable fan and drive bearing noise even when idling. The modern-looking "wedge" design by Mike Nuttall was innovative, and the machine gained notoriety appearing in numerous movies and TV shows as the token "computer".[8]
An enhanced model, "3B/1", was introduced in October 1985 starting at US$8,495 (equivalent to $24,100 in 2023).[9][1] The cover was redesigned to accommodate a full-height 67 MB hard drive.[1] This cover change added a 'hump' to the case, expanded onboard memory to 1 or 2 MB, as well as added a better power supply.[1]
Convergent Technologies offered an S/50 which was a re-badged PC 7300.[10]
Olivetti released the "Olivetti AT&T 3B1 Computer" in Europe.[11]
The operating system is based on Unix System V Release 2,[2] with extensions from 4.1 and 4.2 BSD, System V Release 3 and Convergent Technologies.[1] The last release was 3.51.[1]
Windowing software (xt/layers) from SVR3 was provided to allow connection to a DMD 5620 graphics terminal.
The UNIX PC has three proprietary S4BUS slots for expansion cards:
The STORE! was a public domain software repository provided by AT&T and accessible via dialup UUCP.[1][18]
Three prototypes of a follow-on "P6" model were alleged to have been built[19][1] with the specifications claimed to be:
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