John: Created page with "Just a starting point, many of these could not realistically be classified as home or personal computers, despite many of them being used in a single user mode. === 1970 === Datapoint (CTC) 2200 - TTL Computer ICL 1900 series — British mainframes, widely deployed. Data General Nova — imported 16-bit minicomputer. DEC PDP-11/20 — first PDP-11 systems reached UK universities/labs. === 1971 === *HP 2100A minicomputer — available via HP UK offices...."

2025-10-04T10:00:17Z

Created page with "Just a starting point, many of these could not realistically be classified as home or personal computers, despite many of them being used in a single user mode. === 1970 === *Datapoint (CTC) 2200 - TTL Computer *ICL 1900 series — British mainframes, widely deployed. *Data General Nova — imported 16-bit minicomputer. *DEC PDP-11/20 — first PDP-11 systems reached UK universities/labs. === 1971 === *HP 2100A minicomputer — available via HP UK offices...."

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Just a starting point, many of these could not realistically be classified as home or personal computers, despite many of them being used in a single user mode.

=== 1970 ===

*Datapoint (CTC) 2200 - TTL Computer
*ICL 1900 series — British mainframes, widely deployed.
*Data General Nova — imported 16-bit minicomputer.
*DEC PDP-11/20 — first PDP-11 systems reached UK universities/labs.

=== 1971 ===

*HP 2100A minicomputer — available via HP UK offices.
*Interdata 7/16 — 16-bit minicomputer, sold in UK.
*Kenbak 1 - First Personal Computer ?
*Intel SIM4-01
*Intel SIM4-02

=== 1972 ===

*DEC PDP-11/40 — expanded PDP-11 family in UK use.
*IBM System/3 — midrange systems shipped to UK businesses.
*QI Corporation Q1
*IBM SCAMP (1972/1973)
*Intel SIM8-01

=== 1973 ===

*Wang 2200 — BASIC desktop computer, imported to UK.
*ICL 2900 series — launched as successor to 1900 series.
*R2E MicralN - French computer
*Intel Intellec
*Xerox Alto
*Xerox Star

=== 1974 ===

*Mark-8 (kit, Intel 8008) — hobbyist kit plans; some built in UK by enthusiasts.
*DEC PDP-11/34 — later PDP-11s became standard in UK universities.
*RCA Fred/Cosmac
*Mark 8 - Radio and Electronics
*QI Corporation Q1/Lite
*QI Corporation Q1/MicroLite

=== 1975 ===

*MITS Altair 8800 (kit) — available via import/mail order in UK.
*IMSAI 8080 (kit) — Altair-compatible S-100 system, imported.
*Sphere 1 — limited UK import.
*SWTPC 6800 (kit) — Motorola-based system available through UK distributors.
*IBM 5100

=== 1976 ===

*Processor Technology SOL-20 — first pre-assembled micro, imported to UK.
*MOS Technology KIM-1 (single board) — popular among UK hobbyists.
*Polymorphic Systems Poly-88 — some UK availability via specialist dealers.
*Digital Group machines — imported modular kits.
*Bywood Scrumpy - The first single-board computer kit made in the UK.
*Apple 1
*Cosmac Elf - Magazine/Kit
*Motorola MEK6800D2 - Development board.
*MPT 8080 Microtutor

=== 1977 ===

*Apple II — began UK distribution.
*Commodore PET 2001 — available in UK education/business.
*TRS-80 Model I — sold by Tandy in UK stores.
*Heathkit H8 (kit) — obtainable in UK.
*Science of Cambridge MK14 (kit) — UK-only.
*Nascom-1 (kit) — British single-board kit, launched late 1977.
*System 68 - ETI Magazine

=== 1978 ===

*Nascom-2 (kit) — enhanced British micro.
*Ohio Scientific Superboard II — imported; inspired the UK101.
*Exidy Sorcerer — some units imported to UK.
*Cromemco Z-2 — S-100 business micro, UK dealer support.
*NorthStar Horizon — floppy-based micro, sold in UK.
*Vector Graphic 1 — CP/M micro, available through importers.
*MZ-80K — An all-in-one unit with keyboard.
*Transam Triton - ETI
*Rockwell Aim-65
*Synertek Sym-1
*Intel SDK-85
*IBM 5110

=== 1979 ===

*Acorn System 1 (kit/assembled) — first Acorn computer, UK.
*Tangerine Microtan-65 (kit) — 6502 kit, UK release.
*Compukit UK101 (kit) — UK clone of OSI Superboard II.
*Atari 400 / 800 — home micros, UK launch late 1979.
*Texas Instruments TI-99/4 — imported to UK in 1979.
*Intertec Superbrain — business-oriented CP/M micro, available in UK.
*Compucolor II — colour micro, limited UK availability.
*MZ-80C- Featured an improved keyboard and 48KB of memory.
*Powertran PSI Comp 80 - Wireless World Z80

=== Considerations ===

*VAX
*DEC
*Prime Computers
*Cromemco systems (late 1970s) — S-100 family machines, imported to the UK.
*Zenith assembled systems (via dealers).
*Sord
*Toshiba — available in UK through niche distributors.
*Data General — popular 16-bit minicomputer, sold in UK.
*Honeywell
*Burroughs
*Univac

1970s Home Computing in the UK - Revision history