CompuTone Micro-VIP Computer Terminal : What is this thing?!

[AndyBeez]

Spotted on ebay, a CompuTone Keypact Micro-VIP Portable Computer Terminal.

It's a computer teletype terminal with built-in accoustic coupler and, the most insane keyboard since the Enigma machine. Plus it's portable. User manual included.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/385096421614

 

[Fraser]

Just Google Computone

https://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/X780.86

It dates back to 1977 and was used to access the Computone mainframe computer in Atlanta. CPable of making computations using the combination of the numerical ‘keyboard’ and overlay cards that detailed functions. Basically a dedicated 1970’s terminal roughly equivalent in topology to the modern thin client / Citrix solution.

Fraser

[Fraser]

The common versions….

http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/50795/Keypact-Computone/

[AndyBeez]

It dates back to 1977 and was used to access the Computone mainframe computer in Atlanta.

@Fraser "Computone Mainframe" such a cool retro computing name. I'll have to name a media server that

Thinks: what if on the TCP highway, someone left a long forgotten port open which means these antiques can still dial in? Maybe we could communicate with the mainframe technician... living in the year 1978.

[Fraser]