HP 9100A

The HP 9100A was a programmable desktop scientific computer with a CRT, magnetic-card storage and advanced mathematical functions. HP marketed it as a calculator, although its programmability and peripheral support made it a compact computer.

It brought capabilities previously associated with room-sized computers to an engineer’s desk and began HP’s desktop-computer history.

Notable Features

• Magnetic cards stored programs and data.
• The CRT displayed three register lines simultaneously.

Historical Significance

• It brought capabilities previously associated with room-sized computers to an engineer’s desk and began HP’s desktop-computer history.

Collector’s Notes

• Original HP manuals, peripherals and software media are particularly useful because many interfaces and formats were proprietary.
• Memory, storage, displays and expansion hardware should be documented because configurations often changed during a system’s working life.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	HP 9100A
Manufacturer	Hewlett-Packard
Launched	Monday, January 1, 1968
Discontinued	1971
Launch Price	$4,900
Country	United States
CPU	Discrete transistor logic
Units Sold
Form Factor	Desktop electronic computing calculator
Power	Internal mains supply
Networking	None
Operating System	Resident reverse-Polish scientific environment
Expansion / I/O	Printer, plotter and peripheral interfaces
Keyboard	Integrated scientific keyboard
Storage	Magnetic program cards
Sound	No sound
Colours	Monochrome
Graphics	Vector plotting through optional plotter; numeric CRT output
Display	Built-in three-line CRT
ROM	Resident mathematical firmware
RAM	Magnetic-core working memory for 196 program steps and 16 registers
CPU Speed	Approximately 500 kHz equivalent internal timing