HP Labs I spent the day as a guest of HP labs, and nothing symbolises the heartbreaking lost opportunity that is HP more than the number of MacBook Pros I saw there. The history of HP is the history of the silicon revolution. Does anyone have more firsts: 1966 HP 2116A the worlds first go-anywhere, do-anything computer (although at the size of a large double refrigerator- hardly a portable)
1968 HP 9100A the first 'personal computer'
1972 HP35 the worlds first portable scientific calculator - fits in your shirt pocket
1974 HP 65 the worlds first programmable pocket calculator 1974 the first microcomputer to use DRAM (not magnetic cores)
1977 HP-01 'wrist instrument' a combination watch, calendar and calculator
1980 HP sells its first 'PC' the HP 85
1981 HP12C Financial calculator - the world standard and still sold today
1983 HP150 Touchscreen PC
1991 HP95LX palmtop PC - size of a pocket calculator, power of a desktop PC
1993 HP Omnibook 300- ultra portable PC with extended battery life Theres nothing on this list, bar the cell phone, that isn't a core feature of the Apple product line - so why are Apple ruling the world and HP appears not to know what or who it is. HP's early success and the engine of its growth was its measurement and medical components business which it sold off in 2000 (hello Agilent). In 2002 it acquires Compaq (who in turn had consumed Digital (DEC) makers of the most powerful mainstream processor chip (the DEC Alpha) and Tandem - makes of the most reliable computers in the world). Where did the Alpha go? Tandem still lives on as HPs NonStop Enterprise Division but have you ever heard of them, ever seen an ad, ever met a salesman? HP, the story of missed opportunity and a legacy squandered. M
1968 HP 9100A the first 'personal computer'
1972 HP35 the worlds first portable scientific calculator - fits in your shirt pocket
1974 HP 65 the worlds first programmable pocket calculator 1974 the first microcomputer to use DRAM (not magnetic cores)
1977 HP-01 'wrist instrument' a combination watch, calendar and calculator
1980 HP sells its first 'PC' the HP 85
1981 HP12C Financial calculator - the world standard and still sold today
1983 HP150 Touchscreen PC
1991 HP95LX palmtop PC - size of a pocket calculator, power of a desktop PC
1993 HP Omnibook 300- ultra portable PC with extended battery life Theres nothing on this list, bar the cell phone, that isn't a core feature of the Apple product line - so why are Apple ruling the world and HP appears not to know what or who it is. HP's early success and the engine of its growth was its measurement and medical components business which it sold off in 2000 (hello Agilent). In 2002 it acquires Compaq (who in turn had consumed Digital (DEC) makers of the most powerful mainstream processor chip (the DEC Alpha) and Tandem - makes of the most reliable computers in the world). Where did the Alpha go? Tandem still lives on as HPs NonStop Enterprise Division but have you ever heard of them, ever seen an ad, ever met a salesman? HP, the story of missed opportunity and a legacy squandered. M
