Section 1.1: The Mattel Intellivision and the Keyboard Component

The "Keyboard Component," affectionately dubbed the Blue Whale, was a significant anticipated upgrade for the Mattel Intellivision console, which debuted in 1977. Developed with the help of Caltech interns, the Keyboard Component was more than just a keyboard; it boasted impressive features such as:

• 16K of shared dynamic RAM.
• An independent 6502 processor to manage input/output tasks.
• Special software available on cassette tapes with a sophisticated block-addressable cassette interface.
• A built-in tape deck that allowed audio synchronization with graphics and re-recording capabilities via a microphone.
• A cartridge port for standard Intellivision games and a printer port for output to a thermal printer.

Despite its promise, the Keyboard Component was never widely distributed, leading to scrutiny from the FTC and subsequent lawsuits. In 1982, Mattel introduced a less powerful module called the "Entertainment Computer System," developed quietly by another division. While around 4,000 units of the Keyboard Component were produced, it remains unclear how many were sold, as many were dismantled for parts.

Video Description: Unboxing a '90s Mystery PC! - A nostalgic look at an unboxing experience featuring a mysterious PC from the 1990s.

Section 1.2: The Atari VCS and CompuMate

The Atari VCS, which later became known as the Atari 2600, essentially launched the home gaming console market in 1977 and led the industry until the Video Game Crash of 1983. In 1983, the Spectravideo CompuMate extension was released, transforming the Atari into a PC-like device. Unlike many other expansions, it didn't add a processor, but provided:

• A physical keyboard that fit atop the console.
• A means to save and load programs.
• An additional 2K of RAM.
• A BASIC programming interpreter and software for music composition and painting.

The keyboard connected to the 2600's cartridge port and joystick ports, proudly asserting its identity as a computer.

Section 2.1: The MacCharlie

In April 1985, Byte Magazine featured a captivating ad for a product called MacCharlie, which allowed users to run DOS software on a Mac. This hardware-software solution was essentially an IBM-compatible PC with an 8088 processor and floppy drives. Although it connected to the Mac via an RS-232 serial cable, it lacked a direct bus connection.

Despite its innovative premise, MacCharlie was met with skepticism, as it only accepted non-graphical software. Users found that the experience was far from the vibrant graphics available on PCs at the time.

Section 2.2: The Commodore Amiga Sidecar

Released in 1986, the Amiga Sidecar was another 8088 PC that could run graphics and sound, thanks to Amiga's superior expansion port. Unlike the Mac, it could run Microsoft Flight Simulator and even support a second monitor configuration. Eventually, Amiga streamlined this concept into a more compact internal expansion card known as the Bridgeboard for Amiga 2000+ models.