Wang 3300

The Wang 3300 was an minicomputer released by Wang Laboratories in 1971.

Wang 3300

Manufacturer	Wang Laboratories
Type	minicomputer
Operating system	Wang T-BASIC
Memory	up to 64 KB RAM
Predecessor	Wang 4000
Successor	Wang 2200

Description

Model with machine time sharing created between Wang 4000 and Wang 2200.^[1] Wang's first computer, the Wang 3300, was an 8-bit integrated circuit general-purpose minicomputer designed to be the central processor for a multi-terminal time-sharing system. Byte-oriented, it also provided a number of double-byte operand memory commands. Core memory ranged from 4,096 to 65,536 bytes in 4,096-byte increments.^[2] Up to 16 teletype terminals could be connect to one 3300. Wang claimed at the time that it was "the most easily operated minicomputer time-sharing system available" but it has become to be seen as a "false start" since programs, stored on paper tape, took up to 40 minutes to load and it only used the physical teletype terminals instead of CRTs.^[3]

Development began after hiring Rick Bensene in June 1968.^[4] The software was developed by PHI Computer Services, which Wang had purchased in 1968, on an IBM 360/65 emulating the 3300.^[5] The product was announced in February 1969^[6] and shipped to its first customer on March 29, 1971.^[7]