When I bought my first pc in 1986, I didnt even know how to use it. It was the most basic with just the floppy drives of the 5 1/4 in size (which is now extinct) and no hard drive at all. If I were to mention the brand it may not even ring a bell on most of us now.
Have you heard of Amstrad? It was then owned by Mr. Alan M Sugar who also did some sugar trading. Thats is how Amstrad was named. So far I have not heard of the brand anymore. He produced computers which was manufactured in Korea and sold to the world. The salesgirl at the computer fair asked me whether I know how to use it and my reply was a no and I asked to be shown the basic of of how to use it. my instinct told me that give me time and I will learn it on my own. At that time I could only be the rare few who owns a PC in that small town. The PC costs me RM3995, quite expensive given the price of todays PC which cost much less and with higher specifications.
I have seen a word processor in my CEO office. It was a Raytheon and cost a whopping RM19,000. Being a word processor alone, the machine outlived its usefullness. Having to do numerous reports which needed to be corrected many times over before it could be presented, I thought a PC which can serve as a word processor as well as several other functions with database and spreadsheet, a PC would definitely help me alot. That prompted me to buy the PC. I t would also give a headstart to my young children to the world of computers.
At that time it was a branded machine alright. Thinking that a branded one like that would be great and create less problems compared to clones. I had lots of problems later because Amstrad made sure that nobody but their agents only can repair their machine. All parts were sealed and any tempering with the seals will render all warranties to be void. The nearest agent is in Kulala Lumpur. Gua Musang then wasnt near to Kuala Lumpur as the road via Kuala Lipis is yet to be improved and travelling to Kuala Lumpur wasnt easy.
The Amstrad outlived its usefullness with the introductions of more powerful PCs with loads of features. Without any spareparts to make repair worthwhile, my PC was dumped at a dumpsite after giving me about 5 years of its life. Little did I know that I have contributed to polluting the environment by dumping a computer with so many hazardous materials in it.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
My First Personal Computer
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4 comments:
hi zawi,
thanks for visiting 3540 Jalan Sudin.
Your story reminds me of my first encounter with the PC... yes, around the 80s..
We sure have come a long way and how comfortable we are with technological advancement.
Looking forward to your next posting.
Haha, Doug can tell you about his very first computer! He still has it. quite the collector's item, in fact.
I didn't own a computer till the mid 1990s but I had learnt to use a bit of it before that. Now everything is so user friendly, and only a person who refuses to learn will find using the computer challenging!
nuraina,
When you posted this comment, I didnt even know that the blog owner has to respond or acknowledge the comment as a matter of coutesy. So here I am, responding to it hahahaha.
Bouht myself a new notebook yesterday after years of dreaming to have on since laptops were too pricey then, all above RM10 K.
Puteri,
I wish i could keep my PC too but it would have occupied space since it was not functioning. How I wish I could have them now as it would have been a really good memento of years ago. I will find an old picture with the pc in the back ground to show how it looked.
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