Visual Commuter Computer Laptop Computer
date: label: date made
content: 1983
notes: label: Description
content: This portable microcomputer, named Commuter, has an off-white case with a fixed black handle. To raise the lid, latches on each side of the case are released simultaneously. Inside the lid, the 80 x 16 liquid crystal display (LCD) plugs in via a RJ11 cable to a connector just above the keyboard. The keyboard has 83 keys with a numeric pad to the right and a 10 function key pad to the left. Behind the keyboard, built into the case are two 360K 5¼” floppy disk drives. Above the keyboard on the left is the Commuter logo. A handwritten sticker on the outside rear of the computer notes that the memory was upgraded to 512K, the maximum amount allowed. The LCD display could be removed entirely and replaced by a larger external monitor for office or home use.
label: Description
content: The IBM compatible unit uses the MS-DOS 2.1 operating system and an Intel 8088 processor. Although it has no internal expansion slots, it has 6 ports on the rear for cables that would connect to other devises. These ports include: 63 pin expansion, 24 pin asynchronous, 25 pin asynchronous/synchronous, parallel printer, RGB monochrome video (for an external monitor), and a composite video (for a color monitor).
label: Description
content: Visual Computer Incorporated introduced the “Commuter” model in November 1983. Advertised as “Portable, IBM Compatible, Powerful, Affordable,” it weighed 16 pounds and sold for $1995. Visual ran ads in <I>PC Magazine</I>, <I>Computerworld</I>, and the <I>American Bar Association Journal</I> appealing to business executives who needed a computer when they traveled--the Commuter was a briefcase-sized portable computer with a handle.
label: Description
content: The objects in accession 2017.0321, non-accessions 2017.3153 and 2018.3076 are related.
label: Description
content: References:
label: Description
content: <I>PC Magazine</I>, April 17, 1984. Advertisement pages 110-111.
label: Description
content: <I>Computerworld</I>, June 11, 1984. Advertisement pages 68-69.
label: Description
content: <I>American Bar Association Journal</I>, September 1984, Volume 70. Advertisement pages 22-23.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: place made
content: United States: Massachusetts, Tewksbury
setName: label: See more items in
content: Medicine and Science: Computers
label: See more items in
content: Computers & Business Machines
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Gift of the Estate of James S. Egan
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: 2017.0321.01
label: accession number
content: 2017.0321
label: catalog number
content: 2017.0321.01
objectType: label: Object Name
content: microcomputer
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: metal (overall material)
label: Physical Description
content: plastic (overall material)
label: Measurements
content: overall, closed: 8.5 cm x 45 cm x 39.5 cm; 3 11/32 in x 17 23/32 in x 15 9/16 in
label: Measurements
content: power cord: 237 cm; 93 5/16 in