AT&T UNIX PC

Last updated
UNIX PC / PC 7300 / 3B1 [1]
Atandt unix pc.jpg
AT&T UNIX PC
Manufacturer Convergent Technologies [2]
TypeProfessional Computer
Release dateMarch 26, 1985 (1985-03-26) [3]
Introductory priceUS$5,095(equivalent to $14,400 in 2023) - US$7,290(equivalent to $20,700 in 2023) [3] [4]
Media5¼-inch floppy disks, optional QIC tapes
Operating system AT&T UNIX v3.51 [1] (Based on SVR2)
CPU Motorola 68010 with custom MMU clocked at 10 MHz
Memory512 KB to 4 MB RAM
Storage10 MB, Optional 20 MB, 40 MB, [2] and 67 MB hard drives [1]
Display12 inches (30 cm), 720 x 348
Input Keyboard, 3-button Mouse
ConnectivityRS-232 port, Parallel port, 3 phone jacks
Mass40 lb (18 kg)

The AT&T UNIX PC is a Unix desktop computer originally developed by Convergent Technologies [2] (later acquired by Unisys), [5] [1] and marketed by AT&T Information Systems in the mid- to late-1980s. The system was codenamed "Safari 4" [6] and is also known as the PC 7300, and often dubbed the "3B1". Despite the latter name, the system had little in common with AT&T's line of 3B series computers. The system was tailored for use as a productivity tool in office environments and as an electronic communication center. [7]

Contents

Hardware configuration

Exterior of the AT&T 3B1 Att-3b1.JPG
Exterior of the AT&T 3B1
Motorola 68010 in an AT&T 7300 UNIX PC Mc68010.jpg
Motorola 68010 in an AT&T 7300 UNIX PC

PC 7300

The initial PC 7300 model offered a modest 512 KB [2] of memory and a small, low performance 10 MB hard drive. [3] This model, although progressive in offering a Unix system for desktop office operation, was underpowered and produced considerable fan and drive bearing noise even when idling. The modern-looking "wedge" design by Mike Nuttall was innovative, and the machine gained notoriety appearing in numerous movies and TV shows as the token "computer". [8]

AT&T 3B/1

An enhanced model, "3B/1", was introduced in October 1985 starting at US$8,495(equivalent to $24,100 in 2023). [9] [1] The cover was redesigned to accommodate a full-height 67 MB hard drive. [1] This cover change added a 'hump' to the case, expanded onboard memory to 1 or 2 MB, as well as added a better power supply. [1]

S/50

Convergent Technologies offered an S/50 which was a re-badged PC 7300. [10]

Olivetti AT&T 3B1

British Olivetti released the "Olivetti AT&T 3B1 Computer" in Europe. [11]

Operating system

Video of an AT&T PC 7300 booting
AT&T PC 7300 compiling and running a C program Att-pc7300-terminal.JPG
AT&T PC 7300 compiling and running a C program

The operating system is based on Unix System V Release 2, [2] with extensions from 4.1 and 4.2 BSD, System V Release 3 and Convergent Technologies. [1] The last release was 3.51. [1]

Windowing software (xt/layers) from SVR3 was provided to allow connection to a DMD 5620 graphics terminal.

Programming languages

Application software

Spreadsheet software

Word processors

Games

Utility

Expansion cards

The UNIX PC has three proprietary S4BUS slots for expansion cards:

Public domain software

The STORE! was a public domain software repository provided by AT&T and accessible via dialup UUCP. [1] [18]

Emulation

The FreeBee emulator is available at FreeBee on GitHub.

Cancelled successor

Three prototypes of a follow-on "P6" model were alleged to have been built [19] [1] with the specifications claimed to be:

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 "3b1 FAQ". unixpc.org. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Mayer, Alastair J. W. "System Review: The AT&T UNIX PC" (PDF). Byte. No. May 1986. pp. 254–262. Retrieved 2019-08-01.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Howitt, Doran (1984-04-08). "At Last, AT&T's 7300/Unix PC". Infoworld. p. 17. Retrieved 2019-08-01.
  4. "AT&T Introduces Computer Gear Aimed at IBM-Led Office Market".
  5. CBR Staff Writer (December 13, 1988). "UNISYS Corp Puts Ely in Charge of $2,000m UNIX Group". Tech Monitor. New Statesman Media Group Ltd. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  6. "NEW AT&T COMPUTER OFFICE GEAR". Chicago Tribune. March 27, 1985.
  7. AT&T, Select Code 999-601-311IS, AT&T UNIX PC Owner's Manual (1986)
  8. "AT&T PC 7300". Starring the Computer.
  9. Petrosky, Mary (October 14, 1985). "6300 Plus Launched By AT&T". InfoWorld . Vol. 7, no. 41. p. 8.
  10. "Vendors of Multiuser Microcomputer Products". Infoworld. 1986-10-13.
  11. "Olivetti Technical Specifications". Olivetti.
  12. "Samna Plans Unix-based Product Line". InfoWorld. June 16, 1986. p. 17.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 Satchell, Stephen (1985-09-23). "A Look at Software for AT&T's Unix PC". Infoworld. pp. 32–33. Retrieved 2019-07-30.
  14. "Games".
  15. "Comp.sources.3b1 Archive Volume 1".
  16. "Miscellaneous Software".
  17. AT&T System 25 Reference Manual. September 1989.
  18. "The STORE".
  19. "SVR3.5 + source code".