[ Retro Scan of the Week ] The HP-150 Touchscreen Computer

August 20th, 2007 by Benj Edwards

In 1983, Hewlett-Packard released what may have been the world's fist personal computer with an integrated touch-screen. The HP-150 was an 8088-based MS-DOS compatible PC with a handful of advanced features for its time. Unfortunately, the 150′s hardware architecture proved so different that it was not compatible with most IBM PC programs.

The HP-150 uses a crude, low-resolution method for detecting finger placement on its display. The unit projects a grid of infrared beams across the surface of the screen. By sensing which beams are obstructed by an object, the computer can calculate the coordinates of the touch.

Aside from the touch-screen, The HP-150 is notable for being the first U.S. computer to use Sony's 3 1/2-inch "micro-floppy" disk format, as well as support for Ethernet networking, hard disks, and HP's first LaserJet printer (through an HP-IB interface). Not bad for 1983.

Anybody have one of these that they don't want anymore? I'd love to add one to my collection.

[ From Personal Computing, December 1983 ]

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2 Responses to “[ Retro Scan of the Week ] The HP-150 Touchscreen Computer”

1. eileena Says:
   October 10th, 2007 at 12:29 am

   I have an HP150 with all of the assorted software (some not opened yet)…and I'm still using it! I use it with the BPI accounting program software that was part of it's original personal computer software library (series 100)…and it's hooked up to an Epson LX-80 dot matrix printer (successor of the original MX-70)

   It has problems, but I usually get it running by changing the battery…it has always eventually turned on when I most need it…once a year to finish the books

   I eventually will have to put these books on my Quickbooks program, because I can't take the stress of it failing eventually…if that comes soon, I would like someone who appreciates it to get it…instead of tossing it…so I'll bookmark this page

   :)

2. Roger Challenger Says:
   January 17th, 2008 at 12:05 pm

   Hi Eileena,

   I have some old Membership files I used to update from an HP150 that I would now like to access but the data is not Windows compatible.

   The files end with .edt .eix .efm do you know what the program is that created these files. The software allowed you to create a Form for use inputing data and retreval. Reports could also be created.

   regards

   Roger Challenger

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