doctorwhotechnology

The first episode of Doctor Who (“An Unearthly Child”) aired on this day in 1963, which is all the reason I need to post this classic clip. Back in 1980, the 4th Doctor (Tom Baker) and the other Time Lord we all knew that pimpmaster deluxe was banging (Lalla Ward) made these four ads for Prime Computers.  As an added surprise, Rowan Atkinson voices the alien in the last ad.  I think that hugenormous computer might be the Prime 750, in which case here are its mindblowing specs:

  • 2 to 4 MB of RAM
  • 1200 MB hard drive
  • “It’s terribly interactive.”
  • A 9-track tape unit, plotter, and printer
  • Measures scarves and dispenses relationship advice
  • Could handle 1 MIPS (as a comparison, the computer I’m typing this on can handle over 50,000 MIPS, and I still want to throw it under a bus when it doesn’t load pictures of Sinbad quickly enough.)
  • Cost more than it would take to have Sinbad come to your house in a gingham apron and bake sugar cookies with you. [citation needed].

[via ToplessRobot]