Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!mnetor!seismo!ut-sally!pop!ctp From: ctp@pop.utexas.edu (Clyde T. Poole) Newsgroups: comp.misc Subject: Re: What's a PC? Message-ID: <8220@ut-sally.UUCP> Date: Mon, 8-Jun-87 11:36:40 EDT Article-I.D.: ut-sally.8220 Posted: Mon Jun 8 11:36:40 1987 Date-Received: Thu, 11-Jun-87 02:49:46 EDT References: <3447@watdcsu.UUCP> Sender: news@ut-sally.UUCP Reply-To: ctp@pop.UUCP (Clyde T. Poole) Organization: U. Texas CS Dept., Austin, Texas Lines: 67 In article <3447@watdcsu.UUCP> rhubbs@watdcsu.UUCP (R.Hubbs ) writes: >In article aad+@andrew.cmu.edu (Anthony A. Datri) writes: >>The DECSYSTEM-2020 -- the Ultimate Personal Computer > >What is a 2020, and just how good is it. >Give us details. We all seek "THE PERFECT MACHINE SO LETS HERE ALL THE VITALS" The following is from the 1981 edition of the DECSYSTEM-20 Technical Summary: System Architecture The KS10 microprogrammed central processor forms the basis for the DECSYSTEM-2020 computer system. The DECSYSTEM-2020 consists of four major subsystems: KS10 CPU and memory Console and diagnostic microprocessor UNIBUS Adapters Peripheral controllers KS10 Technology The KS10 uses low-power Schottky TTL and features a four-bit data path slice microprocessor to provide full TOPS-20 functionality at low cost. The KS10 Central Processing Unit The KS10 central processing unit consists of four extended hex modules. They are: The Data Path Executive (DPE) module that contains dat path, registers, cache, PI system, and Dispatch ROM The Data Path Memory (DPM) Module that contains bus interface, processor status flags, paging, cache directory, and shift counter The Control RAM Address (CRA) Module that contains next microcode address logic, microcode leading hardware, and 2Kx36 Bits of microcode The Control RAM Memory (CRM) Module that contains 2Kx60 bits of microcode and so on for a few pages... I will be glad to send a copy of the full text to anyone who wants it for some reason :-). I don't have the installation manual so I can't give you the power and size, but let's just say that it take more power than an IBM-PC and is bigger than a bread box. If you live in a cold climate it might help heat your house. One of the nice things about this machine was that it could run either TOPS-10 or TOPS-20. The original poster may (?) have been joking but I know of at least two people who have 2020's as "personal" computers. ----- Clyde T. Poole, Computing Resources Manager ARPA: ctp@sally.utexas.edu VOICE: (512) 471-9551 UUCP: {harvard,ihnp4,seismo}!ut-sally!ctp CIS: 75226,3135 Overland: UT at Austin, Department of Computer Sciences Taylor Hall 2.124, Austin, TX 78712-1188 "Life is a bitch ... and then you die"