Few people have heard of it, yet many consider John Blankenbaker's KENBAK-1 to be the first commercial personal computer.
Pete's Commodore Micro Record Player
By James Grahame
No, not the same Commodore that brought us the PET and C-64 microcomputers. Pete Verrando recently sent us photos of his very cool little Japanese Commodore Transistorized Micro Record Player. The minimalist design is ingenious -- the motor drives the record directly using a rubber wheel, eliminating the need to cram a 7" platter into the case.
Pete writes, "This 45 rpm player is early 70's Japanese vintage, and employs a crystal cartridge with a 3 transistor amplifier. The label 'Precision Transistorized Instrument' is molded into the cover. Precisely or not, it works very well after some cleanup and lubrication."
YouTube: Vintage Commodore Transistor Micro Record Player
Photos on Pete Verrando's site
More pics after the jump...
