TR 440

Recently, I did an introduction to a documentary about the Chaos Computer Club (See: www.ccc.de). Since I was studying shortly before the club was founded, I refreshed my memories of the computer days of that time. During my studies I learned to program on a TR 440  Computer (Telefunken Rechner 440). One result of these memories is a comparison of the processing power of the TR 440 with my current smartphone (a Nokia 5.3).



TR 440

Nokia 5.3

Difference (factor)

CPU clock speed

16 MHz

8 x 2 GHz

1024

RAM, main memory

2 MByte

4 GByte

2048

Disk/Flash memory

377 MByte

64 GByte

138

Price (approx.)

2.500.000 €

160 €

15.000

Area required

400 m²

0,0126 m², 164x77 mm

30.000

Volume required

Room height 2.5 m

Height 0,0085 m

5.000.000


If we multiply the volume required by the computing power, we get an increase in computing power per volume of about 5 billion over the last 40 years. Pretty cool.
Available computer storage and connectivity has increased at a similar rate over this period.

I personally find it a pity that the publication of useless knowledge and know-it-all articles has increased to the same extent.

Year 1974. Presentation of the TR 440 at the University of Würzburg.
Year 1974. Presentation of the TR 440 at the University of Würzburg.
Punched tape reader of the TR 440.
Punched tape reader of the TR 440.
A TR440 hard disk from 1974, 300 kilobyte capacity but 10 kg weight.
A TR440 hard disk from 1974, 300 kilobyte capacity but 10 kg weight.
Computer technology over time. A gathering of facts.
Computer technology over time. A gathering of facts.