Wang 3300

Last updated
Wang 3300
Manufacturer Wang Laboratories
Type minicomputer
Operating system Wang T-BASIC
Memoryup to 64 KB RAM
Predecessor Wang 4000
Successor Wang 2200

The Wang 3300 was a minicomputer released by Wang Laboratories in 1971.

Contents

Description

Model with machine time sharing created between Wang 4000 and Wang 2200. [1] Wang's first computer, the Wang 3300, was an 8-bit integrated circuit general-purpose minicomputer designed to be the central processor for a multi-terminal time-sharing system. Byte-oriented, it also provided a number of double-byte operand memory commands. Core memory ranged from 4,096 to 65,536 bytes in 4,096-byte increments. [2] Up to 16 teletype terminals could be connect to one 3300. Wang claimed at the time that it was "the most easily operated minicomputer time-sharing system available" but it has become to be seen as a "false start" since programs, stored on paper tape, took up to 40 minutes to load and it only used the physical teletype terminals instead of CRTs. [3]

Development began after hiring Rick Bensene in June 1968. [4] The software was developed by PHI Computer Services, which Wang had purchased in 1968, on an IBM 360/65 emulating the 3300. [5] The product was announced in February 1969 [6] and shipped to its first customer on March 29, 1971. [7]

References

  1. "Wang 3300 basic time-sharing system" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2022-08-29.
  2. 3300 Computer Reference Manual
  3. International biographical dictionary of computer pioneers. Chicago : Fitzroy Dearborn. 1995. ISBN   978-1-884964-47-3 . Retrieved 2023-08-30.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: publisher location (link)
  4. "Wang 3300 Home". April 9, 2011. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
  5. Computerworld the Newsweekly for the Computer Community 1970-03-04: Vol 4 Iss 9. Computerworld, Inc. 1970-03-04. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
  6. Wang Labs enters mini-computer market
  7. WANG DELIVERS FIRST MINI-COMPUTER