What machine is this?

[mloewen]

Can anyone identify the desktop computer/terminal in these pictures?

http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/Scanners1.jpg

http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/Scanners2.jpg

http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/Scanners3.jpg

These appear in the movie "Scanners", released in 1981. The filming itself took place in Canada in the latter months of 1979. Green screen, and what appears to be two full-height 5-1/4" diskette drives. Pretty futuristic design for 1979.

 

[falter]

My guess would be some rando CPM thing or maybe a word processor. Very cool looking. But for a few more points of resolution you could read the tag... blast you pre-4k world!

 

[Chuck(G)]

Well, the configuration is vaguely similar to the CPT 103 Wupro, but while the time is right, the configuration and color doesn't quite match. Sad that there aren't a lot of photos and brochures on the web for these things.

 

[krebizfan]

AES Data does seem likely. They designed the very similar 103 sold under their label and Lanier's label plus they were located in Montreal, convenient for a local film shoot. Unfortunately, while AES had a line of products, the PDFs on bitsavers don't have pictures of their terminals or more advanced word processors (which would have the extra keys).

 

[Chuck(G)]

They're not 103s--the case is wrong as is the keyboard. The CRT and disk drives are in the right place, as is the label.

The 103 was sold as NBI, Lanier, CPT and maybe Harris rebadgings of the AES brand.
The later 203/7100 looked very different.

Cautionary tale about AES from CBC

I wonder if there's a product catalog floating around somewhere...

 

[Chuck(G)]

Apparently, Stephen Dorsey is still around; you might reach out to him with the photos and ask. He may have some interesting stories.

 

[mloewen]

I tried to contact Stephen Dorsey, but heard nothing back.