IBM 5100

en.wikipedia.org

24 points·mpweiher··15 comments

Isn't this the "John Titor" model?

It is in this timeline...

Titor claimed that he was sent back to obtain an IBM 5100 because it could translate several types of computer code. According to IBM engineer Bob Dubke, Titor's statements regarding the IBM 5100's little-known ability to emulate and debug mainframe systems were correct.

I like how it has that big ass orange clunking power switch front and center as if to say "this is absolutely the most important switch on the machine".

The exact antithesis of today's smartphones designs.

Someone once said that putting the power button on desktops level with the knee was one of computer industry's stupidest decisions. I had to agree. Instead of sensible alternative, they added delays and soft buttons I sometimes have to fight with for 10 seconds at a time. (Sighs)

As I recall it was Intel driving the soft power button with the ATX standard, it was used to support the low power sleep modes. I don't think it had anything to do with knees :-)

Damnit! That means it was stupidity that they never really recovered from. That should be more rare than it is. ;)

That and not having mains voltage passing inside the case.

What's that?

here is ibm's tv ad for this computer https://youtu.be/9m54rKlErwA

With the APL/Basic switch.

Where do you see that?

APL was an extra-cost option. Here's one with the Basic/APL switch.[1] Machines without APL have a blank plate there.

[1] http://kkraftonline.de/Museum/data/images/5100.JPG

The BASIC-only machines have far less symbols on the keyboard. Compare the one in that picture with the one in the wiki article (which is BASIC only)

Localized hardware, nice!

Never leave your time without it.

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