PDP-20
The most famous computer that never was. PDP-10 computers running the TOPS-10
operating system were labelled "DECsystem-10" as a way of differentiating them
from the PDP-11. Later on, those systems running TOPS-20 were labelled
"DECSYSTEM-20" (the block capitals being the result of a lawsuit brought against
DEC by Singer, which once made a computer called "system-10"), but contrary to
popular lore there was never a "PDP-20"; the only difference between a 10 and a
20 was the operating system and the colour of the paint. Most (but not all)
machines sold to run TOPS-10 were painted "Basil Blue", whereas most TOPS-20
machines were painted "Chinese Red" (often mistakenly called orange).
[Jargon File]
(1994-12-21)
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