Pioneering the Laptop - The GRiD Compass

[Recorded Mar 15, 2006]
Introduced in 1982, the GRiD Compass 1100 was likely the first commercial computer created in a laptop format and one of the first truly portable machines. With its rugged magnesium clamshell case (the screen folds flat over the keyboard), switching power supply, electro-luminescent display, non-volatile bubble memory, and built-in modem, the hardware design incorporated many features that we take for granted today. Software innovations included a graphical operating system, an integrated productivity suite including word processor, spreadsheet, graphics and e-mail. GRiD Systems Corporation, founded in 1979 by John Ellenby and his co-founders Glenn Edens and David Paulsen, pioneered many portable devices including the laptop, pen-based and tablet PC form factors.

Key members of the original GRiD engineering team -- Glenn Edens, Carol Hankins, Craig Mathias and Dave Paulsen -- share engineering stories from the Wild West of the laptop computer. Moderated by New York Times journalist John Markoff.

• Category

  Science & Technology

[Dylan Mattina]

Wow!!!

There is a GRiD Compass II - 1129 for sale on eBay!

Item # 181094071378

[hyretech]

Yes.  Is it working?

[superspit]

Beautiful Forum that was.....got shivers. Thankyou.

[iamsventhedane]

9 and 1/2 pounds

[1timby]

I found one while cleaning up. Are they worth anything?

[AzaelHDaemon]

The GRiD Compass was the first computer that literally turned me on. Up until that point, it was just Mary Ann...

[nihil391]

4.3 kilograms

[bobscoodles]

how much does it weigh?