Building the Kenbak-1: Recreating the World's First Personal Computer

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  • Опубліковано 22 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 43

  • @Symplegades
    @Symplegades 5 місяців тому +18

    Holy gods...$750 in 1970 scales out to about $6400 today. For a KIT.
    Edit: That really is a great looking case. Kudos for going to the effort to recreate it.

    • @artemkalinchuk
      @artemkalinchuk  5 місяців тому +1

      I didn't consider the cost of it in today's money. That's quite expensive!

  • @davechristie5656
    @davechristie5656 5 місяців тому +3

    Very cool -- the first computer I ever programmed! A very forward- thinking HS math teacher brought one in for the advanced class to play with in '72-'73. I came across a picture of one in a Microsoft lobby a decade ago - instant recognition after 40 years (35 of which I'd spent designing CPUs from mainframes to microcontrollers). Very tempting to build one -- I'll definitely be following this.

    • @artemkalinchuk
      @artemkalinchuk  5 місяців тому +1

      That's really cool! The 70s-80s were awesome times for computer enthusiasts - so many cool things being invented, many of which could be built with basic components at home.

  • @danaeckel5523
    @danaeckel5523 5 місяців тому +8

    Next week, I will show how to build your very own ENIAC! Anyways I do appreciate someone covering the 70's era of computers. The youtubers I watch spend very little if any time on them. Thank you!

  • @osenbruggen
    @osenbruggen 5 місяців тому +1

    Great :) Looking forward to building it.

  • @monteceitomoocher
    @monteceitomoocher 5 місяців тому +2

    Was never much into seventies computing but, this is an awesome project to follow, and being all ttl logic there's no troublesome custom ula to replicate, very doable build, good luck.

  • @justin423
    @justin423 5 місяців тому +4

    There is a Kenbak for sale in the Paul Allen estate collection with an estimated sale price equivalent to a house in some countries.

  • @Jonas_Keunecke
    @Jonas_Keunecke 5 місяців тому +1

    Really great effort, awesome for someone who wants to build it. That's not me at this time, but the video alone was very enjoyable

  • @kratafila
    @kratafila 5 місяців тому +1

    Great news. Please ship it to Switzerland too!

    • @artemkalinchuk
      @artemkalinchuk  5 місяців тому +1

      Sorry, it looks like Switzerland wasn't enabled for shipping. This has been fixed!

  • @derekchristenson5711
    @derekchristenson5711 5 місяців тому +2

    Wow, that's amazing! I wondered if anyone would build a 1:1 replica of the Kenbak-1. I have a couple of the Adwater & Stir functional replicas (the µKenbak-1 and nanoKENBAK-1, both using a modern microcontroller for the computer itself), although I haven't had time to really learn to use them.
    That total price for a REAL replica is a bit eye-watering, although it's interesting that it would still be much cheaper (especially adjusted for inflation) than buying one new (and assembled) back in the day. 😲

  • @JamiesHackShack
    @JamiesHackShack 5 місяців тому +2

    Love the kenbak-1. This is an awesome project! Nice work.

  • @SeuPay
    @SeuPay 5 місяців тому +1

    Okay, I'm signing up for this project! I have several replicas of the Kernbak-1, and I also designed the Kenbak-1 Ruler with serial monitor, assembler and disassembler.
    I've already ordered the kit and the PCB!

    • @artemkalinchuk
      @artemkalinchuk  5 місяців тому

      Awesome! It’s an interesting project. Can be hard to debug, though, but fun to play with. Will you be getting a case? I would consider getting at least the front panel - it’s not too expensive.

    • @SeuPay
      @SeuPay 5 місяців тому +1

      @@artemkalinchuk If I can get it to work, maybe I'll do the case myself.

  • @Couchflyer-NY
    @Couchflyer-NY 5 місяців тому +2

    I actually remember that issue of the Scientific American. I was a 14 year old geek. So, there was a lot I didn’t understand.

  • @distinctdipole
    @distinctdipole 5 місяців тому +2

    Thank you. I was wondering what would happen after you completed the Mark-8. Your projects are really interesting and you explain what you are doing clearly. Bonus, your voice is a delight to listen to as well. Good luck with this project.

    • @artemkalinchuk
      @artemkalinchuk  5 місяців тому +1

      Thank you! I have many projects lined up, just not enough time for all of them 🙂

    • @danaeckel5523
      @danaeckel5523 5 місяців тому +1

      @@artemkalinchuk I hear you!

  • @MotownBatman
    @MotownBatman 5 місяців тому +1

    Holy Cow; This is gonna Look sweet!
    Keep Rockin Brotha!

  • @tenminutetokyo2643
    @tenminutetokyo2643 5 місяців тому +1

    That is nuts! Jam in TDK box caps instead of film caps.

  • @michaelbauers8800
    @michaelbauers8800 3 місяці тому

    So cool!

  • @wa4aos
    @wa4aos 5 місяців тому +2

    I enjoyed your video and the effort you put into your version of the Kenbak-1. As a retired DEC employee, I have a fascination with all of the early systems and have built the PiDP, 8, 11/40 and the new 10. Waiting on the PiDP 1 coming next year hopefully. I also have replicas for the Altair 8800 and IMSAI 8080 as well as the small version replica of the Kebak. I may be interested in following your Kenbak project. I'm curious approximately, how much was the metal work from PC Way? I'll be following your progress closely. Having a scale Kenbak would be really neat. Thanks for your enthusiasm and dedication to this project.
    Regards, Glenn

    • @artemkalinchuk
      @artemkalinchuk  5 місяців тому +1

      Hello Glenn, sounds like you’ve been having fun with all those projects! I believe I paid around $600 for the case from PCBWay. It’s a bit expensive but the quality is good.

  • @qwaqwa1960
    @qwaqwa1960 5 місяців тому +1

    I hope you also tested the carbon comp resistors! They can drift quite a bit.

    • @artemkalinchuk
      @artemkalinchuk  5 місяців тому

      True. Most of the time they're accurate enough.

  • @signorelephant
    @signorelephant 5 місяців тому +3

    The case even now costs around 1k to make. I was interested several months to around a year ago. The problem with this computer is that it cannot attach to any type of modern display at all, and cannot run any forms of basic. Interesting video though, I hope it runs well for you.
    Ill stick with the Mark-8 for now, which im still gathering parts for. Unless you decide to make a full IBM-360 mainframe computer.

    • @artemkalinchuk
      @artemkalinchuk  5 місяців тому +1

      It's true that it cannot interface with anything. I just like the idea of building the first PC. The first of anything is usually not great feature-wise.

    • @signorelephant
      @signorelephant 5 місяців тому

      @artemkalinchuk yeah, I'd do it. But so costly. Might just have to get the mini one on this version :(

    • @artemkalinchuk
      @artemkalinchuk  5 місяців тому

      @@signorelephanttrue. My thinking is, if I’m going to build it, might as well build it right :-)

    • @signorelephant
      @signorelephant 5 місяців тому

      @@artemkalinchuk the case is the hardest part with this one for me. If it didn't cost over 1k, I'd probably be more inclined to go for the project. Definitely mark-8 first though, just ordered the power supply from you two days ago

    • @artemkalinchuk
      @artemkalinchuk  5 місяців тому

      @@signorelephant​​⁠I agree, it is expensive. I’ve been trying to find a way to build it for cheaper. The power supply PCB is on its way. Let me know if you want the V2 version of it which supports the larger heatsinks. I can ship it to you free of charge once I finish it.

  • @jecelassumpcaojr890
    @jecelassumpcaojr890 5 місяців тому

    Isn't the hole at the top right of the front panel for a never implemented card reader? It would be funny to stick a SD card interface there.

    • @artemkalinchuk
      @artemkalinchuk  5 місяців тому

      No idea. Mine doesn’t have it. I thought it was for airflow.

    • @SeuPay
      @SeuPay Місяць тому

      The designer had one use in mind for that slot: ua-cam.com/video/OUCJXyThSXI/v-deo.htmlsi=zZcaQOFM-1iAZt-c&t=4035

  • @jakester1390
    @jakester1390 5 місяців тому +2

    Make the kit 750 just like the original.

  • @BobDarlington
    @BobDarlington 5 місяців тому

    Ouchie, $882 shipped for the case. Time to come up with a plan B.

    • @artemkalinchuk
      @artemkalinchuk  5 місяців тому

      Very expensive! I'm still looking into other options.