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4052: Difference between revisions
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The storage tube display allows the screen to retain images drawn to it, eliminating the need for frame-buffer memory. This allows the resolution to be as high as the hardware can handle, which is 1024 by 1024 logically (i.e. DAC resolution) but limited by the physical layout of the screen to 1024 by 780. It also allows the machine to dedicate all of its memory to the programs running on it (as opposed to partitioning off a section for the buffer), an important consideration at the time when memory was expensive and scarce. | The storage tube display allows the screen to retain images drawn to it, eliminating the need for frame-buffer memory. This allows the resolution to be as high as the hardware can handle, which is 1024 by 1024 logically (i.e. DAC resolution) but limited by the physical layout of the screen to 1024 by 780. It also allows the machine to dedicate all of its memory to the programs running on it (as opposed to partitioning off a section for the buffer), an important consideration at the time when memory was expensive and scarce. | ||
Released in 1978, the | Released in 1978, the 4052 came with a full 32 kB of RAM for $9,795 ($46,100 in 2023 dollars) and could be expanded to 64 kB for another $1,995 (2023: $9,400) for a total cost of $11,790 (2023: $55,500). | ||
The '''4054''' is a version of the 4052 built around the 19" screen from the [[4014]] terminal rather than the 11" screen from the [[4012]], increasing display resolution to 4,096 by 3,072. The 4052 and 4054 can display a limited amount of refreshed graphics. This is done by lowering the beam current of the writing gun so it does not trigger the threshold for stored display. The 4054 also had an Option 30 to display an extensive amount of refreshed graphics that used a [[wikipedia:Signetics 8X300|Signetics 8X300]], an early RISC-like microprocessor. There was also an Option 31 CRT with a special multi-layer phosphor to display the refreshed graphics in orange, against the stored graphics in green. The Option 30 was originally what was known at Tek as a "G-job", an unofficial project by Steve Rintala, which was eventually approved by management. | The '''4054''' is a version of the 4052 built around the 19" screen from the [[4014]] terminal rather than the 11" screen from the [[4012]], increasing display resolution to 4,096 by 3,072. The 4052 and 4054 can display a limited amount of refreshed graphics. This is done by lowering the beam current of the writing gun so it does not trigger the threshold for stored display. The 4054 also had an Option 30 to display an extensive amount of refreshed graphics that used a [[wikipedia:Signetics 8X300|Signetics 8X300]], an early RISC-like microprocessor. There was also an Option 31 CRT with a special multi-layer phosphor to display the refreshed graphics in orange, against the stored graphics in green. The Option 30 was originally what was known at Tek as a "G-job", an unofficial project by Steve Rintala, which was eventually approved by management. | ||