Blasts From The Past

Michael Barnsley and Alan Sloan's article revealed how fractals can be used to compress data. We reviewed SQL databases. Toshiba's T3100/20 used an 8-MHz 80286, weighed 15 pounds, had a 720-KB floppy disk drive, 20-MB hard drive, and cost about $4699 (it also required you to connect to AC power to run).

Compaq's latest portable was an IBM PC-compatible that weighed 28 pounds. A basic system with 128-KB memory and a new 320-KB floppy disk drive cost $2995.

Lots of personal computers, including Processor Technology's SOL computer that we reviewed in this issue, were still of the build-your-own variety. But in this issue, Apple ran an ad for its new Apple II computer, which cost $1298. The ad stressed that unlike other microcomputers of the day, the Apple II was a "ready to use computer, not a kit."