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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...

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