World's First Portable Computer - Neatorama

Back in 1975, engineers at IBM created the world's first commercial portable computer, the IBM 5100 Portable Computer. Super light (for its time), the computer weighed in at 55 lb and cost about $20,000!

The Next Web has more about this grandaddy of all laptops: Link

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Just a silly quick note: The IBM 5100's ability to emulate larger, more expensive computers via microcode later played a part in the the time travel hoax of John Titor. Supposedly, Titor travelled back through time to get an IBM 5100, because the future needed it to be able to 'talk' to legacy programs.

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I programmed one of those at Duke in the early 80s. It had a switch that changed languages. One of them was APL. IIRC.

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I wonder if future generations will look back at pictures of our PC notebooks and laugh their butts off like I am laughing at this monstrousity.

Look at that thing........ 55 pounds..... $20k.... and has less processing power then the calculator I had 10 years ago.

I love technology and am always in awe of how awesome and small the world has gotten. This morning I was sitting in a Starbucks here in Dubai and talking to my son who is in a small mountain town in the Philippines in real time like he was sitting right next to me. Amazingly awesome.... WAY TO GO SCIENCE.

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I still have a "portable" computer from twenty or so years later; they'd gotten the weight down to maybe twenty pounds. At least it comes with a carrying handle.

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Pardon my French but I don't think sharing this video will help. Kids are just going to take the challenge and show off how good they are texting while driving. There's got to be a better way.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DebhWD6ljZs

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Here's a different video, in English, on the same subject -- but it's not a funny one. Definitely worth watching for the texters in your life.

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Would have prefered to hear this in English, but it was still an interesting vid of irony-a-plenty.

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Take the Pledge! Wear the Band!

Texting Kills Thumb Bands are a Promise to Drive Safe!
Join the Forces to End Texting While Driving!

Start a Don't Text & Drive Campaign in Your School, County or State and help Us Save Lives!

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Insurance companies could help. Get caught, double rates. Get caught again, stop coverage.

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I'm learning to drive at the moment, and there are many teenagers in my class who say that their PARENTS often text and drive. So this isn't just a young people's problem. Idiots can come in any age.

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The world is getting crazier all the time! Just last week I stood in a line at a department store, and the kid in the front of the line was texting his Dad who was 6 customers back in the same line!!!!!

I heard the next thing coming are glasses that one can wear and the words of the incoming and outgoing text will be readable in the upper corners. They are going to combine this with voice-recognition to be able to drive or watch a movie and talk.

Gosh... I can't stand the little lights going on all over when I'm watching a movie I paid $15.00 to see!!!!

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Too bad people over here don't have that common sense that it's too dangerous to do while driving. MAN I wish they would make it illegal in my state already.

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