---
title: IMLAC PDS-1
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Professional Computer
origins:
- U.S.A.
years:
- '1970'
params:
  name: PDS-1
  image: /media/museum/photos/imlac_pds-1d_2s.jpg
  company: /companies/imlac
  company_name: IMLAC
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: PDS-1
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: Imlac
  - label: TYPE
    value: Professional Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: U.S.A.
  - label: YEAR
    value: '1970'
  - label: END OF PRODUCTION
    value: Unknown
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: Unknown
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: Full-stroke keyboard
  - label: CPU
    value: Unknown
  - label: SPEED
    value: Unknown
  - label: CO-PROCESSOR
    value: Unknown
  - label: RAM
    value: 4096 16-bit words
  - label: VRAM
    value: Unknown
  - label: ROM
    value: Unknown
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: vector display
  - label: COLORS
    value: green and black
  - label: SOUND
    value: Unknown
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: Unknown
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: Unknown
  - label: OS
    value: Unknown
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: Unknown
  - label: PERIPHERALS
    value: Unknown
  - label: PRICE
    value: Unknown
  tabs:
  - photos
  - software
  - links
  - docs
  forum_thread: 1260
  photos:
  - title: IMLAC PDS-1D
    subtitle: ''
    text: Thanks to [www.ubanproductions.com](http://www.ubanproductions.com/imlac.html) for this picture
    image: /media/museum/photos/imlac_pds-1d_2.jpg
  links:
  - title: history-computer.com
    url: http://history-computer.com/ModernComputer/Personal/Imlac.html
    text: Here's another very good link, includes a link to the actual original manual to the machine
  - title: http://www.blinkenlights.com
    url: http://www.blinkenlights.com/classiccmp/imlac/
    text: Some information there
  - title: http://www.ubanproductions.com
    url: http://www.ubanproductions.com/imlac.html
    text: Detailed information with many pictures
  docs:
  - title: IMLAC PDS-1 TECHNICAL MANUAL
    url: http://history-computer.com/Library/PDS-1_Technical_Manual.pdf
    cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/pds-1_technical_manual.jpg
    text: |-
      [**IMLAC PDS-1 TECHNICAL MANUAL**](http://history-computer.com/Library/PDS-1_Technical_Manual.pdf)written by IMLAC

       compiled/archived by history-computer.com\
       type of document : PDF\
       size : 3 Mb\
       source : [history-computer.com](http://history-computer.com)

      **... READ THE ONLINE VERSION BY CLICKING BELOW :**
  software:
  - /software/maze-war
  oc_id: 1295
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230608081642/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1295
    date: '2023-06-08'
---

The Imlac PDS-1 is a graphical minicomputer made by Imlac Corporation (founded in 1968) of Needham, Massachusetts. The PDS-1 debuted in 1970 and is considered to be the predecessor of all later graphical minicomputers and modern computer workstations. The PDS-1 had a built-in display list processor and 4096 16-bit words of core RAM. The PDS-1 used a vector display processor for displaying vector graphics as opposed to the raster graphics of modern computer displays. The PDS-1 was often used with another flagship Imlac product, a typesetting program called CES.

The PDS-1 was used in many pioneering computer applications. The FRESS hypertext system had enhanced capability and usability if accessed from a PDS-1 system; the user could make hyperlinks with a light pen and create them simply with a couple of keystrokes. Multi-window editing on FRESS was also possible when using the PDS-1.

The PDS-1 also had the capability to run remote graphical programs such as those that ran on the Stanford AI Lab's main computer. The PDS-1 was also able to run Mazewar, the first online multiplayer computer game. The PDS-1 connected to a host PDP-10 computer (located at MIT) running ITS over Arpanet and the Mazewar program. Up to 8 players running PDS-1 minicomputers or other terminals could access MIT's Mazewar host. The PDS-1 was also important during the early days of Arpanet when network graphics protocols were under consideration.

*Source: [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imlac_PDS-1)*