ADAM computer concept art, prototypes, and accessories

Pictures courtesy of engadget.com and dell.com

I am always curious to see the development of a tech device.  From concept to finished product.  One such product is Dell’s Windows Phone, the Venue Pro.  When I first saw the prototype, code-named “Lightning”, I was intrigued.  And of course, I wanted to get it.  Well, I don’t think I will ever get my hands on the prototype, but I do own the finished product.

The same goes for the Coleco ADAM computer.  I wasn’t aware of them at the time it was released, but these days I do try to find as much information as possible on the various prototypes.  Unfortunately, there isn’t much information available on the prototypes.  However, I did find that most of the hardware were non-working models.  Even so, I’d like to have them =)

According to ColecoVision.dk, a concept drawing of the ADAM exist.  Apparently, it is from July of 1982.   Check out the photo below.  It shows a keyboard attachment which plugs into the ColecoVision game console.  That was the approach that other game consoles makers were going with at the time.  Coleco obviously changed their mind.

ADAM concept drawing courtesy of ColecoVision.dk

Along with the concept art, there are also non-working hardware shown at the Consumer Electronics Show(s).  Using an online search engine will yield some results.

Coleco ADAM prototypes including 5.25" disk drive

There was also a 3.25 inch disk drive that never made it to market:

Photo courtesy of old-computers.com

It’s a real shame that this didn’t get mass produced.  Would have been an add-on to the top of the Coleco ADAM memory console.  Which would have looked like this:

My system is very discolored...

If you know of any other prototypes, please drop me a comment below and share.  Thanks!

ADAM software start-up screens

When I was young, personal computing was still in its infancy.  Everything was still fairly new including music and graphics on a computer screen or in my case, television screen.  Watching an animation or beautiful graphic appear on screen while I waited for a program to load kept my attention.  The following video are some of those load screens.  Keep in mind, I edited the video in such a way that it appears the load times are faster than they really are.

Back in the late 1970’s, early 1980’s, you had to be very patient when using a computer.  Loading a program from a digital data cassette or floppy disk was not a fast process.   Today, if an application doesn’t start-up within a few seconds, I usually uninstall it from my hard drive and look for something else.

ADAM software to help with programming homework.

Here’s a neat commercial for the ADAM computer.  It features a boy asking his father for help with his homework assignment for computer class.  Like most parents, he doesn’t have a clue what to do, but he knows what can; the ADAM computer and software.

Pay attention to the end of the commercial..
Look at all those software titles!
I’m envious.

ADAM, Little Miss Gamer, and Time Travel..?

Little Miss Gamer reviews video games in a light-hearted way.  In this video, she discusses the Coleco ADAM computer.  We must not forget that at the core of the ADAM is a ColecoVision.  With the ADAM you can play games on cartridge, cassette tape and floppy disks.  Check out this video for some good Coleco ADAM fun.

ADAM meets Archie!

A friend of mine, Dan Parent, gave me a gift today; a portrait of the Archie gang using the Coleco ADAM computer.  Seeing Jughead, Veronica, Betty and Archie hanging out with the ADAM warms my heart =)

The Archie gang using the Coleco ADAM computer.

Thank you Dan! 

• If you want to see more of Dan Parent’s artwork: http://www.danparent.com/
• If you like to buy comics in which he has written and/or drawn:
• http://www.archiecomics.com/Default.aspx?tabid=79&SearchValue=Kevin
• http://www.archiecomics.com/Store/Products/tabid/79/c/kevin-keller/Default.aspx

* ADAM logo was added by me to the television screen.

Best podcast ever!

My buddy The Retroist did a podcast, not that long ago, about the Coleco ADAM. He does a fantastic job. He recalls his earliest memories of the ADAM and goes over its history in detail.

You can listen to the podcast here: http://www.retroist.com/2011/06/17/retroist-podcast-episode-088-coleco-adam/

Be sure to leave a comment on his page!

Don’t have an ADAM computer, but want to use one?

I have a solution.  As long as you have a Windows PC, you can run “Virtual ADAM“; an emulator which reproduces the look, feel, and user experience of a Coleco ADAM computer.  Steve Pitman created this program for us to enjoy.  Run the SmartWriter word processor, load CP/M, or simply play a ColecoVision cartridge!

Thanks to Joe Blenkle for hosting this file: Virtual ADAM download

Sadly, the actual ADAM hardware can’t last forever, but thanks to emulators like this, we’ll be able to preserve the ADAM experience for the next generation.