Few people have heard of it, yet many consider John Blankenbaker's KENBAK-1 to be the first commercial personal computer.
Numark Unveils Portable USB Turntable
By James Grahame
The Numark PT-01USB is a digital update to their portable PT-01 that adds Mac and PC USB connectivity. Like the original, it runs on AC power or six hefty D cell batteries and offers a built-in monitoring speaker, +/- 10% pitch control, belt-drive motor with 33, 45 and 78 RPM settings, stereo RCA line output and headphone jack. Numark's EZ Vinyl Converter 2 software is included, billed as "the simplest way to get audio from records into a PC-based iTunes music library." (Yes, loyal Mac users, we find that sentence bewilderingly inadequate as well.)
The PT-01USB ships with a phono cartridge, USB cable and 45 RPM adapter so you're ready to go the moment it reaches your hip and happening bachelor/ette pad. The only hiccup is that it's not scheduled to hit retailers in Q3-2008, at an unspecified yet probably reasonable price. The original was great, so the addition of a USB interface should make this little beast even more appealing.
