1982 adverts

First time on Earth - Sharp MZ-80B

Perhaps unique in laying claim to some sort of extra-terrestrial origin, comes this advert for the Sharp MZ-80B. The "large" integrated screen had 320x300 pixel resolution and i...

The new Apple III - More computer power on your desk-top

This would seem to be the "missing link" Apple computer, as the world and popular culture seems not to register anything about it, and Apple's own history seems to skip from the A...

The DAI personal computer is here - High performance - High value

When Texas Instruments was developing its TI-99/2 and TI-99/4 computers, it knew that producing a PAL/SECAM version would be a hassle. Indeed, when the TI-99/4 finally launched ...

Sinclair ZX81 Personal Computer - the heart of a system that grows with you

This advert was quite an impressive 4-page spread which featured in several computer magazines and was used to advertise the ZX81, which launched in the UK in March 1981. The ZX8...

The new micro from LSI - Putting Britain back in front

It's another random entry in the "who?" category, from paid-up flag-flying British company LSI - not to be confused with Lear Siegler Incorporated, a US terminal manufacturer - w...

The if 800 - Colour in your computing

The awkwardly-named if 800 from LSI was something of a departure from the company's usual M models - with the System M-Three being around at about the same time - not least becaus...

Seeing is believing: ACT Sirius 1

In the year that the IBM PC was finally launched in the UK comes this advert for the ACT Sirius 1 - a machine designed by 6502 and Commodore PET legend Chuck Peddle, and of which ...

Osborne 1: The only personal business computer you can take anywhere

The Osborne 1, launched at the West Coast Computer Faire in March 1981 (with the first machine shipping in July), is often credited as being the first computer designed specifical...

Adler 1630: Because computer professionals need a professional computer

This computer doesn't seem to exist - at least there doesn't seem to be any information on it, although ribbons for its printer still seem to be available. Old Computers.com mentio...

Torch - The Computer to Set the World Alight

After former chartered accountants Martin Vlieland-Boddy and Peter Harris had been applying their finance-gained skills to bring technology to the world of management consultancy,...

Exidy: Announcing the new Sorcerer

The Sourcerer was originally manufactured by Exidy of Sunnyvale, California, but was cancelled in 1979. It was however popular enough in Europe and ended up being built under licen...

Have you got what it takes to take what we've got?

This advert from Canon was aimed at potential resellers rather than buyers and was for the Canon CX-1, a machine first announced in 1981. Following the announcement, Canon went ...

The IBM Personal Computer: A tool for modern times

This is an advert for the original 5150 IBM PC, possibly the model which more than any other defined personal computers for a generation or two. Even the term "personal computer...

Apple III: Now that you've seen their first generation, take a look at our third

It's a bit spurious to assume that the third generation of anything is necessarily better than the first of something else, especially if your third version is essentially the sam...

Vector 3: Computers for the advancement of society

There weren't many micro companies of the era that claimed that their products were for the advancement of society, but here is such a mission statement from Vector Graphic in thi...