Osborne 1A portable computer manufactured by Osborne Computer Corporation and released circa 1982. The Osborne 1A was released a year after the original Osborne 1 as a minor update, which included a more durable case and a few minor styling tweaks. Housed in a rugged ‘sewing machine’ plastic case, 19.5˝ x 8.5˝ x 14.5˝, the computer comprises a small 4.75-inch monochrome monitor flanked on either side by two floppy disk drives. The unit’s CPU is a Zilog Z80A that runs at 4 MHz, with 64 kilobytes of main memory. Once unlatched, the bottom cover reveals the computer’s keyboard. The back bears the carrying handle and a compartment that opens to reveal the Osborne parts label, which lists the model as “OCC1” and the serial number as “CA 114161.” The power cord is included. In very good to fine condition, with scattered scuffs and marks to the case; the unit turns on but is untested for functionality.
In 1981, Adam Osborne produced what is generally considered to be the first truly portable computer. Although, technically, a few other ‘portable’ machines came before it, the Osborne was the first portable CP/M system, and the first ‘affordable’ portable computer. It was therefore the first portable computer to achieve widespread use. The Osborne 1 managed at its peak to sell 10,000 units per month and by the fall of 1981, the company had reached its first month of a million dollars in sales.
