{"id":19716,"date":"2024-10-16T14:30:31","date_gmt":"2024-10-16T18:30:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/?page_id=19716"},"modified":"2026-03-03T15:39:45","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T20:39:45","slug":"vin1","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/vintage-computing\/item\/vin1\/","title":{"rendered":"Hewlett-Packard HP9830A"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Hewlett-Packard HP9830A<\/h2>\n<p>[Vin1]<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/first-place-400x400-1.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-21940\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/first-place-400x400-1-160x160.png\" alt=\"First Ever icon\" width=\"106\" height=\"106\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/first-place-400x400-1-160x160.png 160w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/first-place-400x400-1-240x240.png 240w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/first-place-400x400-1-200x200.png 200w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/first-place-400x400-1-360x360.png 360w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/first-place-400x400-1.png 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 106px) 100vw, 106px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The Hewlett-Packard HP 9830A, launched in 1972, was a landmark in the evolution of desktop computing, integrating a full BASIC programming language interpreter in ROM to offer immediate programmability without external loading. It featured a 16-bit bit-serial CPU derived from HP\u2019s minicomputer architecture, a 32-character alphanumeric LED display, a full QWERTY keyboard, and a cassette tape drive for storage. Weighing around 20 kg, the HP 9830A combined calculator convenience with general-purpose computing power, supporting advanced programming features like recursion and immediate mode execution. Designed for engineers and scientists, it was notable for expanding the concept of programmable calculators into a true desktop computer form factor.<a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260303_134434817-scaled.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright size-large wp-image-23757\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260303_134434817-400x300.jpg\" alt=\"Hewlett-Packard HP9830A\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260303_134434817-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260303_134434817-240x180.jpg 240w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260303_134434817-160x120.jpg 160w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260303_134434817-768x577.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260303_134434817-1536x1153.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260303_134434817-2048x1538.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260303_134434817-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260303_134434817-360x270.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The Hewlett-Packard HP9830A stands out as the very first desktop computer. No earlier device combines all these: high-level language (BASIC) in ROM, alphanumeric display, keyboard, and storage in one portable-like package. Some notable computers were released earlier like the Olivetti Programma 101 (1965\/Calculator), Datapoint 2200 (1970\/terminal computer), Kenbak-1 (1971\/did not run a high level programming language), and the Q1 computer (1972\/was released several months later). Intel had just released their first 4-bit CPU the 4004 which was not powerful enough for a modern computer. The landmark 8-bit Intel 8008 was released during the same year as the release of the HP9830A which started\/enabled\/fuelled the microcomputer revolution of the 1970&#8217;s.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Manufacturer<\/strong>: Hewlett-Packard<\/li>\n<li><strong>Type<\/strong>: All-in-One Desktop Computer<\/li>\n<li><strong>Announced<\/strong>: December 1972<\/li>\n<li><strong>Release Date<\/strong>: Early 1973<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cost at release<\/strong>: USD $5,975 (CAD ~$41,000 adjusted for inflation)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cost with peripherals<\/strong>: USD $10,000 (CAD ~$68,000 adjusted for inflation)<\/li>\n<li><strong>MIPS<\/strong>: 0.075 (75 KIPS)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"slideme\"><dl class=\"slideme__list\"><dt class=\"slideme__term\"><a href=\"#slideme-hardware-specifications\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"slideme-hardware-specifications\" class=\"slideme__heading slideme__trigger\">Hardware Specifications<\/a><\/dt><dd class=\"slideme__description\" id=\"slideme-hardware-specifications\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><p><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>CPU<\/strong>: Custom 4-boards @ 8MHz<\/li>\n<li><strong>RAM<\/strong>: 4KB or 8KB<\/li>\n<li><strong>Display<\/strong>: 32 character LED<\/li>\n<li><strong>Storage<\/strong>: Built-in cassette drive<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ports<\/strong>: Printer, ROM and I\/O<\/li>\n<li><strong>Optional<\/strong>: thermal printer<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p><\/dd><dl><\/div>\n<div class=\"slideme\"><dl class=\"slideme__list\"><dt class=\"slideme__term\"><a href=\"#slideme-operating-system-programming-languages\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"slideme-operating-system-programming-languages\" class=\"slideme__heading slideme__trigger\">Operating System &amp; Programming Languages <\/a><\/dt><dd class=\"slideme__description\" id=\"slideme-operating-system-programming-languages\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><p><\/p>\n<ul class=\"marker:text-textOff list-disc\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"my-0\"><strong>Operating System<\/strong>:\u00a0BASIC\u00a0(stored in ROM, called &#8216;BASIC Plus&#8217; in some references)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"my-0\"><strong>Supported Languages<\/strong>: Primarily\u00a0BASIC, with the capability for\u00a0machine language\u00a0programming for advanced users.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p><\/dd><dl><\/div>\n<div class=\"slideme\"><dl class=\"slideme__list\"><dt class=\"slideme__term\"><a href=\"#slideme-notables\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"slideme-notables\" class=\"slideme__heading slideme__trigger\">Notables<\/a><\/dt><dd class=\"slideme__description\" id=\"slideme-notables\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><p><\/p>\n<p>The <strong>HP 9830A<\/strong> is a landmark vintage computer announced by <strong>Hewlett-Packard (HP) in 1972<\/strong>. Here are some interesting facts about this pioneering machine:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>First Desktop BASIC Computer: The HP 9830A (1972) was one of the earliest all-in-one desktop computers to boot directly into BASIC from ROM, years before microprocessor-based PCs appeared.<\/li>\n<li>Marketed as a &#8220;Calculator&#8221;: HP called it a calculator to bypass corporate purchasing restrictions on computers, making it easier for businesses to acquire.<\/li>\n<li>While it was too expensive in its day to be considered generally obtainable by individuals, the 9830A is a contender for the title of &#8216;first personal computer&#8217;.<\/li>\n<li>The Hewlett-Packard HP9830A stands out as the very first desktop computer. No earlier device combines all these: high-level language (BASIC) in ROM, alphanumeric display, keyboard, and storage in one portable-like package. Some notable computers were released earlier like the Olivetti Programma 101 (1965\/Calculator), Datapoint 2200 (1970\/terminal computer), Kenbak-1 (1971\/did not run a high level programming language), Q1 computer (1972\/was released several months later). Many notable computers claim to be the first desktop computer but were released after the HP9830A like in 1973: Micral, Wang 2200, Scelbi-8H, MCM\/70, Mark-8 and later MITS Altair 8800 (1974), IMSAI 8080 (1975), IBM 5100 (1975)<\/li>\n<li>The Kenbak-1, often cited as the first personal computer, did not run a high-level programming language. Instead, it was programmed using pure machine code with binary instructions entered through switches and output via lights. It lacked a native programming language interpreter such as BASIC and operated at a very low-level instruction set, limiting its usability compared to later computers that integrated programming languages directly<\/li>\n<li>The Olivetti Programma 101, despite sometimes being called one of the first &#8220;desktop computers,&#8221; was essentially a programmable desktop calculator. It performed arithmetic and branching operations but mainly acted as a calculating machine rather than a general-purpose programmable computer with a stored-program language environment. Programs were stored on magnetic cards, and the machine printed outputs on paper, characterizing it more as a sophisticated calculator rather than a computer running a general-purpose language.<\/li>\n<li>The HP9830A was built Like a Tank: The machine weighed about 20 kg, with a robust design and gold-plated circuit boards.<\/li>\n<li>Expandable System: Users could add up to eight plug-in ROM modules for extra features, such as matrix math or plotter control.<\/li>\n<li>Audio Cassette Storage: Used standard audio cassettes for data storage, an unusual and practical choice at the time.<\/li>\n<li>Fast Printing: Typically paired with a thermal printer capable of 240 lines per minute using standard fax paper rolls.<\/li>\n<li>True Desktop Computer: Considered by many as one of the first true personal desktop computers, bridging the gap between calculators and general-purpose computers.<\/li>\n<li>Immediate Mode Operation: Allowed users to type in expressions and get instant results, precursor to modern interactive computing.<\/li>\n<li>Recursion Support: Its architecture allowed recursion, a rarity for its era.<\/li>\n<li>Self-Contained System: Included keyboard, display, storage, and BASIC interpreter, all in one box.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p><\/dd><dl><\/div>\n<div class=\"slideme\"><dl class=\"slideme__list\"><dt class=\"slideme__term\"><a href=\"#slideme-donated-by\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"slideme-donated-by\" class=\"slideme__heading slideme__trigger\">Donated By<\/a><\/dt><dd class=\"slideme__description\" id=\"slideme-donated-by\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><p><\/p>\n<p>Dr. Arlen Michaels<\/p>\n<p><\/p><\/dd><dl><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/hp-9800-series.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-22062\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/hp-9800-series.jpg\" alt=\"Hewlett-Packard HP9830A Add\" width=\"300\" height=\"377\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/hp-9800-series.jpg 300w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/hp-9800-series-240x302.jpg 240w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/hp-9800-series-160x201.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hewlett-Packard HP9830A [Vin1] The Hewlett-Packard HP 9830A, launched in 1972, was a landmark in the evolution of desktop computing, integrating a full BASIC programming language interpreter in ROM to offer immediate programmability without external loading. It featured a 16-bit bit-serial CPU derived from HP\u2019s minicomputer architecture, a 32-character alphanumeric LED display, a full QWERTY keyboard, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"parent":19704,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","_mi_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Hewlett-Packard HP9830A - 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