yann64andClaude Opus 5.5
b274874139
1,289 discussions, 9,527 archived comments; pages no longer carry the comments themselves. Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5.5 <noreply@anthropic.com> Claude-Session: https://claude.ai/code/session_01YDRjtmAiNpo5mK5N3d7QwZ
115 lines
4.3 KiB
Markdown
115 lines
4.3 KiB
Markdown
---
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title: ICL Quattro
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categories:
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- Computers
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types:
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- Professional Computer
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origins:
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- United Kingdom
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years:
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- '1985'
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cpus:
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- 8086-2
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params:
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name: Quattro
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image: /media/museum/photos/icl_quattro_system_1.jpg
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company: /companies/icl
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company_name: ICL
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specs:
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- label: NAME
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value: Quattro
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- label: MANUFACTURER
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value: ICL
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- label: TYPE
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value: Professional Computer
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- label: ORIGIN
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value: United Kingdom
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- label: YEAR
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value: '1985'
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- label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
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value: None
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- label: KEYBOARD
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value: Full stroke 102 key with function and arrow keys and numeric keypad
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- label: CPU
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value: 8086-2
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- label: SPEED
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value: 8 MHz
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- label: CO-PROCESSOR
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value: Socket for 8087 math coprocessor
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- label: RAM
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value: From 128 KB to 1 MB
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- label: ROM
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value: 40 KB
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- label: TEXT MODES
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value: 80 chars x 25 lines
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- label: GRAPHIC MODES
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value: 640 x 400 dots (ICL terminals)
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- label: COLORS
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value: Monochrome or 8 colours
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- label: SOUND
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value: Beeper
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- label: SIZE / WEIGHT
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value: Unknown
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- label: I/O PORTS
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value: 6 x serial RS232 ports, custom serial port, RS422 port, RGB port
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- label: BUILT IN MEDIA
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value: 1 or 2 x 5.25'' 800 KB floppy drives, 10 or 20 MB hard disk
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- label: OS
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value: Concurrent CP/M V.3.1
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- label: POWER SUPPLY
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value: Built in switching power supply unit
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- label: PERIPHERALS
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value: RAM expansion, 2nd 20 MB hard disk, ICL monitors and printers
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- label: PRICE
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value: |-
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Model 19: £2195 - Model 39: £4395 - Model 49: £4995\
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Monochrome terminal: £899 - Colour: £1399
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tabs:
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- photos
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forum_thread: 833
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photos:
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- title: INSIDE
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subtitle: ''
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text: |-
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**(1)** 2 cards was used for hard disk control. In fact, it was original old 'Black Box' cards\
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**(2)** CPU and ROM card\
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**(3)** 3 x 256 KB RAM cards\
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**(4)** Serial and I/O card\
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**(5)** 6 x serial RS232 ports\
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**(6)** Custom serial port\
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**(7)** RGB port. Was not used for a colour monitor, but for the connection of a video system to create slides, or a projector to show them\
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**(8)** Custom synchronous port. Gives the link to ICL or IBM mainframes\
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**(9)** Switching power supply unit\
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**(10)** 800 KB 5.25" floppy drive\
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**(11)** Rodime 20 MB hard disk drive
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image: /media/museum/photos/icl_quattro_inside_1.jpg
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- title: ICL TERMINAL KEYBOARD
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subtitle: ''
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text: ''
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image: /media/museum/photos/icl_quattro_keyboard_1.jpg
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oc_id: 852
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source:
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url: https://web.archive.org/web/20221209194127/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=852
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date: '2022-12-09'
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---
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With the Quattro, ICL attempted to tackle the multi-user market which was still opened with neither definitive system nor operating system.
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The Quattro was a development of earlier ICL [Personal Computer](/museum/icl-personal-computer/) which in turn was a development of the [Rair Black Box](/museum/rair-microcomputer-black-box/)
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The machine was named Quattro as it supported up to four users, each user running up to four programs simultaneously.
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Internal hardware design was quite similar as the Personal Computer's. An eight connector backplane supporting logic boards. However, the CPU board featured a 16 bit 8086-2 and up to 1 MB of RAM could be installed.
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Thre models were available:\
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**Model 19** with 256 KB RAM and 2 x 5" 800 KB floppy drive,\
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**Model 39** with 512 KB of RAM, one floppy drive and one 10 MB hard disk,\
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**Model 49** same as Model 39 but with a 20 MB hard disk.
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The Quattro could work with wirtually any video terminal. ICL supplied its own monochrome (6402G) and colour (6404G) graphic versions along with a 102 key keyboard.
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It was delivered with Concurrent CP/M Operating System, later called Concurrent DOS, a true multi-tasking, multi-user O.S. which offered a very limited compatibility with MS-DOS.\
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Sadly, few major software of the time, running on the first IBM PC and clones, were adapted to the specific features of the ICL. This is the main reason why the Quattro didn't meet any success, except near some corporate customers who already used ICL mainframes.
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<table> <tr> <td></td> <td>We need more info about this computer ! If you designed, used, or have more info about this system, please send us pictures or anything you might find useful.</td> <td></td> </tr> </table>
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