Can you imagine lugging around a suitcase just to have a computer with you? That was the reality in the early 1980s when portable computing first emerged. But one plucky start-up had a vision for a truly portable computer that kicked off the laptop revolution. This is the story of the pioneering Grid Compass 1100.
The Tech Scene Before Laptops
In the early days of computing, massive mainframes and desktop PCs dominated the landscape. Portable computers aimed to shrink this power down for mobile use, but the earliest attempts like the 28-pound Osborne 1 were still literally like luggage.
While cramped airline seats today might make us long for the days of merely carry-on baggage computers, the team at Grid Systems saw the future clearly – computers would become something individuals could take anywhere, not just transport with difficulty.
Enter the Grid Compass
Founded in 1979, California-based startup Grid Systems focused on this next evolution in mobility. Designer Bill Moggridge drove a user-centric approach, incorporating ergonomics into the very first model – the 1982 Grid Compass 1100.
Moggridge‘s visual flair combined with Grid‘s engineering chops resulted in a 5kg magnesium alloy clamshell case. The patented design enabled the computer to fold neatly when not in use. This was the dawn of the modern "laptop" era.
Grid Compass 1100 (1982) Specifications
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Processor | 8MHz Intel 8086 + 8087 math coprocessor |
| Memory | 256KB RAM (expandable to 512KB), 384KB bubble memory storage |
| Display | 6" 320×240 electroluminescent monochrome LCD |
| Floppy drive option | 5.25" 360KB (10MB HDD combo offered too) |
| OS | GRiD-OS (proprietary) |
| I/O ports | Serial, parallel |
| Weight | 5 kg |
| Price | $8,150+ |
While priced exclusively for executives initially, the Compass crammed in top-of-the-line hardware and powerful custom apps tailored for business use.
Let‘s pop the hood on some of these pioneering design choices that would shape over 30 years of laptop evolution.
Clamshell Mechanism
The Compass‘s claim to fame lies in its durable clamshell enclosure. Moggridge‘s patented design used special hinges allowing the screen to fold over the keyboard when closed. This protected delicate components during transport.
The clamshell has obvious ergonomic advantages as well. The screen faces the user when open, without compromising portability when stowed. This elegant solution influenced the fundamental form factor of all future laptops.
Electroluminescent Display
Most early portables relied on power-hungry CRT or LCD tech unable to match modern screen performance. While compact LCDs were starting to emerge in the early 80s, they suffered from poor brightness and contrast issues.
The Compass‘s 6" electroluminescent display overcame these limitations – it was sharp, energy efficient, and vivid enough to use comfortably for extended periods. This set a new bar for screen specs that guided laptop evolution over the next decade.
Technical Chops
With its 8MHz Intel processor, math coprocessor, and ample memory, the Compass delivered serious number-crunching capabilities. Hard drives were still a relative luxury, but built-in non-volatile bubble memory ensured storage and durability.
It could even be hooked up to external devices and networks through its selection of I/O ports. These features packed desktop PC-like power in a mobile footprint. While niche, the Compass proved what was possible in a portable computer.
Lasting Influence
The Compass found early adoption among executives, government agencies, and NASA through the 80s. While cheaper options also emerged, the Compass 1100‘s superior design showcased the future. Its balance of power, ergonomics, and durability set benchmarks for laptops over the next 30 years.
Everything from 1990s portables to modern convertible touchscreens can trace DNA back to Grid‘s clever clamshell. The Compass proved computers need not anchor someone to a desk – the world awaited exploration with a portable companion.
So as you binge Netflix from your cozy cafe chair or tweak spreadsheets from your backseat Uber, pay respect to the pioneering Grid Compass 1100! The fruitful road of anytime-anywhere computing stretches back to Grid‘s steadfast vision in 1982.
