Hewlett-Packard 2114B Computer

This is a short video of our engineer powering up and fondling my Hewlett-Packard 2114B minicomputer.

Built in 1969, the 2114B uses a 16-bit derivative PDP-8 architecture, as do all of HP's earliest systems. Its technology consists of SSI TTL, DTL and CTL integrated circuits, and ferrite core memory. The 2114B is perhaps the most refined of HP's first-generation systems, with its relatively compact chassis and DMA capability.

The 2114B operates at 8 MHz and has a full 16-bit bus. This particular example is equipped with 4kw x 16 bits of Ampex ferrite core memory, barely visible at the rear left of the unit. The card cage is also visible, and contains the ALU, instruction decoder, shift register, timing generator and core sense amplifiers.

Several years ago, I retrofitted the incandescent front panel lamps with yellow LED substitutes that produce a very authentic light without the need for periodic replacement. The 2114 front panel requires 63 lamps, and is unique in its use of illuminated proximity-sense touch switches.

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Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• HP
• 2114B
• Hewlett
• Packard
• computer
• minicomputer
• dec
• pdp

[douro20]

Was it possible to run PDP-8 software on a 2114B?

[hp2114b]

@douro20 No, HP 2100 series computers cannot run PDP software.

[frotz661]

Touch switches seem to me would be a little annoying. You can't simply press up or down a swath of them all at once.

[hp2114b]

@frotz661 The touch sense switches are at least as fast, if not faster for input than toggle switches; the operator in the video is just inexperienced. The switches have no moving parts, require zero actuation force, and have no toggles to accidentally break off.

[cobrachoppergirl]

You talk build quality, but fail to consider in 1970 the base sale price with NO options for this machine was $8,500 ( hp2114b_price670.pdf ) . In equivalent 2010 dollars, that's roughly $50,000 ( measuringworth ). Would you pay $50 grand for a personal computer today? My guess is, hell no. You'd think the manufacturer was smoking crack. This was a heavily guarded and hoarded glass room super rich engineer alcolyte computer; outside the reach of amateur hackers.

[hp2114b]

@cobrachoppergirl Nobody said anything about personal computers. If you compare it to an expensive HP NonStop Itanium mainframe, the modern equivalent of a 2114B, you will not see anywhere near the same level of construction quality as what they used 40 years ago.

[ggtimlac]

That fans noise! Well if you have one to spare, i might have a good retirement home for it..

Solid piece! For youngsters front panel is heavier than a heavy laptop!One of our clients had a direct hit from 1 lightining on their factory, their 200KV line Transformer suffered the blow, their mainframe cooked immediately, i swapped power supply(not tried testing) and fired it up, it started immediately. they went in production on the spot, people cheereing like fans on a championship game.

[quidnova]

I enjoyed this very much, thanks.

[AbbuwOfficial]

WHY?

WHY NOT?

[EonPeon]

Wow! That took me back! A tear sprang in my eye just then...! This was the very first computer I ever used. We had TinyBASIC that was 2kb (on paper tape) that took several minutes to load. Ours was hooked to a TeleType for editing and punching the paper tape. We later acquired a marked-card reader so we could mark our own cards with a special pen containing magnetic ink.

Wonderful!

[BritishSnail]

HP IS BOYCOTTED

[pokamonmaster1997]

0:22 WE GOT LIFTOFF!!

[basbas63]

i was thinking it is going to fly!!!! >.<