Hyperion Dynalogic

snuci · 29 Nov 2015, 19:56

The Hyperion Dynalogic is a Canadian computer that was the first portable computer (before the Compaq and IBM varieties). It was licensed by Commodore but the design was never used. The keyboard on the Hyperion is fairly thin and I was quite shocked when I opened it up and say Key Tronic foam and foil switches. For the age of this computer, the foam is immaculate and usable.

Anyway, here are some pics of one of my favourites:

: Dynalogic Hyperion - side view; Dynalogic Hyperion - side view.JPG (70.24 KiB) Viewed 3178 times

: Dynalogic Hyperion - top of keyboard; Dynalogic Hyperion - top of keyboard.JPG (90.75 KiB) Viewed 3178 times

: Dynalogic Hyperion - bottom of keyboard; Dynalogic Hyperion - bottom of keyboard.JPG (61.16 KiB) Viewed 3178 times

: Dynalogic Hyperion - keyboard profile; Dynalogic Hyperion - keyboard profile.JPG (57.12 KiB) Viewed 3178 times

: Dynalogic Hyperion - Key Tronic circuit board top; Dynalogic Hyperion - Key Tronic circuit board top.JPG (132.8 KiB) Viewed 3178 times

: Dynalogic Hyperion - keyboard bottom of key switches (foam and foil); Dynalogic Hyperion - keyboard bottom of key switches (foam and foil).JPG (116.74 KiB) Viewed 3178 times

: Dynalogic Hyperion - keyboard opened; Dynalogic Hyperion - keyboard opened.JPG (125.7 KiB) Viewed 3178 times

: Dynalogic Hyperion - Key Tronic board identification; Dynalogic Hyperion - Key Tronic board identification.JPG (127.64 KiB) Viewed 3178 times

: Dynalogic Hyperion - key switches and key caps; Dynalogic Hyperion - key switches and key caps.jpg (232.46 KiB) Viewed 3175 times

: Dynalogic Hyperion - front view; Dynalogic Hyperion - front view.JPG (84.02 KiB) Viewed 3178 times

: Dynalogic Hyperion - keyboard tucked in for transport; Dynalogic Hyperion - keyboard tucked in for transport.JPG (70.84 KiB) Viewed 3178 times

terrycherry · 30 Nov 2015, 13:02

The back of PCB looks like a map about America?

Halvar · 30 Nov 2015, 14:07

The "suburbia keyboard"...

Interesting. So the Apple Lisa's / Mac's case form factor wasn't so original after all...

snuci · 30 Nov 2015, 14:18

Halvar wrote: Interesting. So the Apple Lisa's / Mac's case form factor wasn't so original after all...

There is no doubt that the Lisa was modeled after the Xerox Alto shown below. The keyboard could also be tucked away under the CRT, sort of like this Hyperion. In case of the Hyperion, it locks into place for transport. The Lisa had a similar space to tuck in the keyboard but it was not fully hidden away but only partially.

Halvar · 30 Nov 2015, 14:36

That's probably right. I saw the (older) Steve Jobs movie starring Ashton Kutcher last week, and if I remember correctly, there was a little mention where Jobs insists on this as an advantage in comparison to the Apple ][. I'll have to watch the scene again.

Also, the carrying handle is often stated to have been something very original about the Macintosh design.