Nascom 2 & Sharing the TV - Computerphile

TL;DR

The Nascom2 is a computer that was popular among electronics enthusiasts in the late 70s, serving as the starting point for many computer enthusiasts.

Transcript

this is the nascom2 this is a computer that's uh not the computer but the same kind of computer that is the first machine i actually saw um and had the opportunity to to play with um slightly different the one i had or had access to had it was in the main in the box and you can see the boards inside and you can see the leds blinking as as the diffe... Read More

Key Insights

• 👻 The Nascom2 was a kit-built computer that allowed users to personalize and modify their machines, making it popular among electronics enthusiasts.
• ⌛ The computer featured a 48k memory expansion and a color video adapter, making it impressive for its time.
• 💻 The Nascom2 marked the dawn of personal computers and introduced the concept of computers controlling screens.
• 🧡 Different users had Nascom2 computers with varying appearances, ranging from wooden boxes to professionally designed cases.
• ✊ The power supply of the Nascom2 could be easily damaged if not properly connected, resulting in the computer malfunctioning.
• 💝 The Nascom2 was available in the late 70s and was primarily purchased by enthusiasts with assembly skills.
• 🖤 Most users connected their Nascom2 to a black and white portable TV, as dedicated computer monitors were not widely available.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the appearance of the Nascom2 vary among different users?

The Nascom2 computers were customizable, resulting in different appearances, including wooden boxes, dodgy keyboards, and professional plastic cases.

Q: What caused the Nascom2 to stop working during a presentation?

The power supply of the Nascom2 got shortened when the case was closed, resulting in a burn mark and failure to function. However, it can be fixed by repairing the power supply.

Q: When was the Nascom2 available, and who were its primary users?

The Nascom2 became available around 1977, and it was popular among electronics engineers and enthusiasts. It required assembly skills and was bought in kit form for several hundred pounds.

Q: How did the Nascom2 connect to a monitor or TV?

The Nascom2 could be connected to a composite video monitor or a black and white portable TV, which served as the preferred monitor for most home computer users at that time.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Nascom2 was a kit-built computer that allowed enthusiasts to modify and improve the machine according to their needs.

• It featured a 48k memory expansion and a color video adapter, making it impressive for its time.

• The Nascom2 marked the beginning of personal computers and revolutionized the concept of computers controlling screens.