Sony HB-101

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Muirium
µ

17 Mar 2023, 14:27

From Sony's new historic design gallery:
Sony wrote:HB-101
Personal Computer (1984)
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The personal computer called "HITBIT MEZZO" was designed for home use, and was a departure from business-like styles. Available in red, black, and ivory white.
Anyone ever seen one of these? Apparently it was a real product, and there was even a European version: the HB-101P.

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That joystick is compelling. 8-)

Here's a flyer, via Archive.org:
Sony HB-101_0001.jpg
Sony HB-101_0001.jpg (96.33 KiB) Viewed 1306 times
Don't miss the front page. She looks happy!

Findecanor

17 Mar 2023, 15:02

I've seen it many times on the web because the design is iconic, but never seen it in real life.
It was an MSX computer: a "standard" for 8-bit computers with Z80 processors with models from multiple manufacturers.
Last edited by Findecanor on 17 Mar 2023, 15:35, edited 2 times in total.

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Muirium
µ

17 Mar 2023, 15:09

Yes, in red especially it's the Olivetti Valentine of home micros. A real stunner of a computer. Unbespoiled by IBM! :D

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dcopellino

17 Mar 2023, 15:13

I remember very well the MSX era as owner of one of its first experimental specimen, so much experimental to be out of the incoming standard, the svi -328.
Its keyboard was not bad at all aesthetically speaking, but very mushy and gummy at touch.
sv328mkii_800.jpg
sv328mkii_800.jpg (58.01 KiB) Viewed 1283 times

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Muirium
µ

17 Mar 2023, 15:25

Damn, they knew what they were doing in the hardware design department back then! When computers *were* keyboards and looked every bit the part!

Findecanor

17 Mar 2023, 15:42

I had almost forgotten about the modern lookalike, that was posted here some years ago.

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Muirium
µ

17 Mar 2023, 21:47

And I had entirely forgotten it. Bravo on the recall!

How did that product do, btw? I recognise Kbdfr’s rightful annoyance at its listing as a group buy.

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It really should have kept the joystick. That was so far ahead of its time that the Mac had only just come out. Must have been sweet for navigating a text UI. :D

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