HP 2000 Data System
Physical Object
HP introduced its bundled Time-Share BASIC systems starting in 1969 with the 2000A ($90,500). Subsequent models included the 2000B (1970), 2000C (1971) and 2000E (1971, priced under $50,000). The original 2000A was based around the 2116B. Later models were based around 2100-series computers. HP introduced only one version (the last) of its 2000 Systems based around 21MX computers in 1975. The low end of the 2000/Access systems was priced at $62,900.
These rack-mounted systems included a number of components. The 2000F (1974, $105,000) included a 2100A, 2100S, 7905 Disc Drive, 7970B magnetic tape drive and 2748B paper tape reader. In the 2000F, the 2100S handled system control, storage and computation tasks, while the 2100A managed terminal communications (up to 32 concurrent users).
From the original owner:
Bought from government liquidation in 2008. Another interesting story. I won a lot of 8 of these computers. They were spares for some sort of navigation test system. I drove down to Barstow to pick them up. When I got there, they said the computers had been wrongly sold and they would refund the money.
Almost a year later, I got an email saying to come pick them up and the money was automatically withdrawn from my account again. Went there again (it's a six hour drive) and got the same story, they were being held again. I told the commander what happened last time. He took pity on me and helped me load them up, saying he would say I got there before he got the hold notice. Never heard back again, whew.
These were packed in wood crates that were in poor condition from sitting in a warehouse for decades. I juncked the crates, but the computers are sealed in cardboard boxes inside a foil bag. They are pristine.