Digital PDP15 Price List, April, 1970 — Reading Notes

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Authors: Digital Equipment Corporation Digital Source: Project Gutenberg Gutenberg Release Year: 2011 First Publication Year: Not confirmed

Key Word: PDP-15 (Computer) -- Catalogs Target Reader: Readers of public-domain and historical texts

Book Edition: Project Gutenberg digital edition Book Language: en

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Words 5,319

Reading time 24 min

Text sections 2

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Source: Project Gutenberg record #37237

A close reading of the April 1970 PDP-15 price list reveals a structured catalog of computer systems, options, and global sales offices, where pricing tiers, discount statuses, and component dependencies form a precise technical and commercial document.

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DIGITAL PDP15 PRICE LIST; April 1970

DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION

Price 1-Shift Discount Service Status =PDP-15/10: BASIC SYSTEM=

4,096 18-bit, 800-ns core memory $15,600 $150.00 Yes with KSR-33 Teletype--PC15 required $16,200 $175.00 Yes with ASR-33 Teletype $16,500 $180.00 Yes with KSR-35 Teletype--PC15 required $17,800 $172.00 Yes with ASR-35 Teletype $19,300 $175.00 Yes

=PDP-15/20: ADVANCED MONITOR SYSTEM= $36,000 $278.00 Yes

8,192 18-bit, 800-ns core memory KSR-35 Teletype PC15 High Speed Paper Tape Reader and Punch KE15 Extended Arithmetic Element TC02D DECtape Control TU56 Dual DECtape Transport

=PDP-15/30: BACKGROUND/FOREGROUND SYSTEM= $59,200 $384.00 Yes

16,384 18-bit, 800-ns core memory KSR-35 Teletype for BACKGROUND use KSR-33 Teletype for FOREGROUND use LT15A Single-Teletype Control PC15 High-Speed Paper Tape Reader and Punch KE15 Extended Arithmetic Element KA15 Automatic Priority Interrupt KM15 Memory Protection KW15 Real-Time Clock TC02D DECtape Control 2 TU56 Dual DECtape Transports

=PDP-15/40: DISK-ORIENTED $91,000 $532.00 Yes BACKGROUND/FOREGROUND SYSTEM=

24,576 18-bit, 800-ns core memory KSR-35 Teletype for Background use KSR-33 Teletype for Foreground use LT15A Single-Teletype Control PC15 High Speed Paper Tape Reader and Punch KE15 Extended Arithmetic Element KA15 Automatic Priority Interrupt KM15 Memory Protection KW15 Real-Time Clock TC02D DECtape Control TU56 Dual DECtape Transport RF15 DECdisk Control 2 RS09 DECdisk Drives

NOTE: Note 1 applies to all systems (see last page of price list)

Pre- 1-Shift Field Discount Notes req. Service Inst. Price Status

=MEMORY EXPANSION AND OPTIONS=

MM15-A 4K Memory Module 7 PC15 $20 $100 $8,000 Yes with Space to Add Additional MK15-A

MK15-A Expands MM15-A to MM15A 20 60 6,000 Yes 8K Increases PDP-15/10 to 8K

MP15 Memory Parity for 2 None 15 1,500 Yes each 4K of Memory added

KT15 Memory Relocation KM15 25 125 3,000 Yes

MX15 Memory Multiplexer None 5,000 Yes

=CENTRAL PROCESSOR OPTIONS=

KE15 Extended Arithmetic None 20 60 2,800 Yes Element

KM15 Memory Protect None 10 100 2,900 Yes

KF15 Power Fail None 2 60 1,000 Yes

KP15A Dual Memory Bus--One 8 2 or more 5,000 Yes bus for I/O Processor MX15's One Bus for Central Processor

=INPUT/OUTPUT PROCESSOR OPTIONS=

KA15 Automatic Priority KW15 15 100 3,900 Yes Interrupt

KW15 Real Time Clock, Line None 2 60 500 Yes Frequency

DW15A Positive to Negative None 15 100 2,000 Yes Bus Converter

=MASS STORAGE DEVICES=

TC02D DECtape control for 3 DW15A 20 240 5,400 Yes up to 4 TU56 DECtape transport units

TU56 Dual DECtape Transport TC02D 12 60 4,700 Yes

TC59D Magnetic Tape Transport 3 DW15A Control for up to 8 KW15 25 400 8,000 Yes TU20, TU20A, TU30, TU30A Magnetic Tape Transport Units

TU20B 7-Track, 45 ips Magnetic TC59D 70 400 12,000 No Tape Transport 200, 556 and 800 bpi

TU20A 9-Track, 45 ips Magnetic TC59D 80 400 13,000 No Tape Transport 800 bpi

TU30B 7-Track, 75 ips Magnetic TC59D 80 400 21,000 No Tape Transport 200, 556 and 800 bpi

TU30A 9-Track, 75 ips Magnetic TC59D 90 400 22,000 No Tape Transport 800 bpi

RF15 DECdisk Control for up None 30 180 6,000 Yes to 8 RS09 DECdisk Drives

RS09 262,144 Word DECdisk RF15 40 240 9,000 Yes

RP15 Disk Pack Control for None 100 450 18,000 Yes up to 8 RP02 Disk Pack Drives

RP02 10.24 Million word Disk RP15 100 400 26,000 No Pack Drive Unit Includes one RP02P Disk Pack

RP02P Disk Pack 650 No

Pre- 1-Shift Field Discount Notes req. Service Inst. Price Status

VP15A Storage Tube Display 6 None 86 200 5,800 $3,000 VT01 Storage Display not Unit, Control, and disc. Mounting Hardware

VP15B Oscilloscope Display None 21 70 3,600 $ 800 Tektronix RM503 X-Y not Oscilloscope, Control, disc. and Mounting Hardware

VP15BL Oscilloscope Display $ 800 Tektronix RM503 X-Y None 24 150 5,225 not Oscilloscope, Control, disc. Mounting Hardware, and DEC Type 370 Light Pen

VP15C Oscilloscope Display None 38 220 5,250 Yes VR12 X-Y Display Unit (7" x 9" CRT), Control, and Mounting Hardware

VP15CL Oscilloscope Display None 41 300 6,875 Yes VR12 X-Y Display Unit (7" x 9" CRT), Control, Mounting Hardware, and DEC Type 370 Light Pen

VP15M Display Multiplexer None 3,900 Yes for up to 8 VT01's

VT01 Storage Tube Display 6 VP15M 3,000 No *(+$300 for cables 300* and connectors)

VT15 Graphic Display None 70 500 14,400 Yes Processor

VT04 Graphic Display VT15 25 250 4,500 No Console

LK35 Keyboard VT04, 30 120 1,200 No LT15A or LT19 Series

VL04 Light Pen VT04 5 75 700 Yes

CR03B Card Reader--200 cpm 3,6 DW15A 50 240 5,200 No Reader and Control

PC15 Paper Tape Station-- None 24 320 3,900 Yes 300 cps Reader 50 cps Punch

LP15F Line Printer--356 lpm None 110 250 14,000 No 80 column Line Printer and Control

LP15C Line Printer--1000 lpm None 135 280 40,000 No 132 column Line Printer and Control

=CALCOMP PLOTTERS AND CONTROL=

12-Inch Drum Plotter, Model 565, and Control

XY15AA 0.01-Inch Step 3,6 DW15A 22 280 8,900 No 18,000 Steps/Minute

XY15AB 0.005-Inch Step 3,6 DW15A 27 280 8,900 No 18,000 Steps/Minute

31-Inch Drum Plotter, Model 563, and Control

XY15BA 0.01-Inch Step 3,6 DW15A 27 320 13,400 No 12,000 Steps/Minute

XY15BB 0.005-Inch Step 3,6 DW15A 32 320 13,400 No 18,000 Steps/Minute

XY15 Control Only 3 DW15A 15 200 3,000 No

Pre- 1-Shift Field Discount Notes req. Service Inst. Price Status

=DATA COMMUNICATIONS=

LT19D Multi-Station 3,5 DW15A 2 160 1,200 Yes Teletype Control Separate Transmit Clock per Channel Accommodates up to 5 LT19E Line Units

LT19E Line Unit LT19A 2 120 800 Yes (One Required for each Teletype or EIA Line Adapter)

LT19F EIA Line Adapter LT19A, B 2 60 100 Yes (Per Line)

Continue Reading →

The April 1970 PDP-15 price list is structured as a hierarchical catalog, moving from complete systems to individual components and options. Each system entry—from the basic PDP-15/10 to the disk-oriented PDP-15/40—lists a fixed configuration, a price, a monthly service fee, and a discount status. The document then expands into memory expansions, central processor options, and peripheral devices, each with prerequisites and field-installable pricing. This structure mirrors the modularity of the computer itself, where components are designed to be added or upgraded.

System Tiers and Pricing Logic

The price list opens with four system configurations, each building on the previous. The PDP-15/10 starts at $15,600 with 4K memory and a Teletype, while the PDP-15/40 at $91,000 includes 24K memory, dual Teletypes, DECtape, and DECdisk drives. The progression is linear: each step adds memory, peripherals, and processing capabilities. Notably, the discount status for all systems is marked “Yes,” indicating a standard discount applies. The monthly service fee scales with system complexity, from $150 to $532, reflecting the cost of maintaining increasingly elaborate hardware.

Component Dependencies and Prerequisites

Each option lists prerequisites in a “Pre-req.” column. For example, the MM15-A memory module requires a PC15 paper tape reader/punch, while the TC02D DECtape control requires a DW15A bus converter. These dependencies create a network of required purchases, ensuring that customers buy compatible components. The price list thus functions as both a catalog and a technical specification, guiding the buyer through a logical upgrade path. Some items, like the KE15 Extended Arithmetic Element, have no prerequisites, making them standalone additions.

Discount Status and Field Installation

Each line item includes a discount status (Yes or No) and a field installation price. Most options are eligible for discount, but some, like the TU20B magnetic tape transport, are marked “No.” The field installation price is listed separately from the base price, often as a two-part figure (e.g., $20 $100 for the MM15-A). This split suggests that installation labor is priced independently, and the discount may apply only to the hardware. The presence of a “1-Shift Service” column further indicates that ongoing maintenance is a separate cost.

Global Sales Network and Addresses

The final pages list sales and service offices across North America, Europe, Australia, and Japan. Each entry includes a street address, telephone number, and often a TWX or telex number. The offices are concentrated in industrial hubs: Cologne, Munich, Reading, Paris, Milan, Sydney, Tokyo. The inclusion of multiple Australian offices (Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane) suggests a significant market in that region. This geographic appendix transforms the price list from a mere catalog into a document of corporate reach, showing where Digital Equipment Corporation maintained a physical presence in 1970.

Readers approaching this document should attend to the interplay between system configurations and component options, noting how prerequisites and discount statuses shape the total cost. The price list is not merely a list of numbers but a structured guide to building a PDP-15 system, with each decision point documented. The global office list further contextualizes the product as part of an international sales network.

Holding that April 1970 price list, I remembered my grandfather’s order book for the old railway—every bolt and sleeper accounted for, yet somehow alive. That same quiet reverence for detail surfaces in A Pioneer Railway of the West — A Reader’s Guide, where cold engineering facts warm into a story of real hands and stubborn hope. Odd, how affection hides in ledgers.