Workstation: Difference between revisions

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Add list of "worstation-like" comptuers
The Alto was definitely a 'workstation'
 
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A '''workstation''' was a high-end [[personal computer]] (physically a [[desktop]], not a [[laptop]]), capable of running computationally demanding [[application]]s. Almost ubiquitously, they included a [[bit-mapped display|bit-mapped]] [[display]], a [[mouse]], and a [[data network]] connection (usually [[Ethernet]]). With the increasing power of later personal computers, they faded out as a separate category.  
A '''workstation''' was a high-end [[personal computer]] (physically a [[desktop]], not a [[laptop]]), capable of running computationally demanding [[application]]s. Almost ubiquitously, they included a [[bit-mapped display]], a [[mouse]], and a [[data network]] connection (usually [[Ethernet]]). With the increasing power of later personal computers, they faded out as a separate category.  


===Some workstations===
===Some workstations===


* Apollo, 1980: DN series.
* [[Xerox PARC]], 1973: [[Alto]]
* MIT, 1979: Nu Machine.
* Apollo, 1980: DN series
* Silicon Graphics, 1984: IRIS 1000.
* [[MIT Laboratory for Computer Science|MIT-LCS]], 1979: Nu Machine
* Stanford University, 1981: SUN.
* [[MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory|MIT-AI]], 1978: [[CADR]] [[LISP machine]]
* Three Rivers, 1979: PERQ.
* Silicon Graphics, 1984: IRIS 1000
* Stanford University, 1981: [[Stanford University Network workstation|SUN]]
* Three Rivers, 1979: PERQ


==="Workstation-like" computers introduced before the concept===
==="Workstation-like" computers introduced before the concept===


These machines has some or all of the attributes, but are usually not regarded as workstations.
These machines have some or all of the attributes, but are usually not regarded as workstations.


* [[Imlac]], 1970: [[Imlac PDS-1|PDS-1]]
* [[IMLAC]], 1970: [[IMLAC PDS-1|PDS-1]]
* [[Xerox PARC]], 1973: [[Alto]]
* MIT-AI, 1974: [[CONS]] LISP machine
* [[MIT AI Lab|MIT]], 1974: CONS [[LISP machine]]


==See also==
==See also==
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* [[:Category: Workstations]]
* [[:Category: Workstations]]


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[[Category: Computer Basics]]
[[Category: Computer Basics]]

Latest revision as of 14:51, 9 June 2025

A workstation was a high-end personal computer (physically a desktop, not a laptop), capable of running computationally demanding applications. Almost ubiquitously, they included a bit-mapped display, a mouse, and a data network connection (usually Ethernet). With the increasing power of later personal computers, they faded out as a separate category.

Some workstations

"Workstation-like" computers introduced before the concept

These machines have some or all of the attributes, but are usually not regarded as workstations.

See also