MCM/70

The MCM/70 was a microcomputer designed and built by Micro Computer Machines (MCM) in Canada, beginning in 1972. It is considered one of the earliest personal computers, predating better-known machines like the Apple II and the IBM PC. The "70" in its name referred to the planned retail price of $7,000.

The MCM/70 was notable for its portability (for the time), resembling a large briefcase. It featured an Intel 8008 processor, a built-in keyboard, a 5-inch CRT display, and used magnetic tape cartridges for data storage. It ran a proprietary operating system called APL/70, an implementation of the APL programming language.

The target market for the MCM/70 was businesses, educational institutions, and engineering professionals who needed a compact, self-contained computer for calculations and data analysis. While not a commercial success on a scale comparable to later personal computers, the MCM/70 played a significant role in the early development of microcomputing technology and the popularization of APL. The machine found a niche in specific areas, such as actuarial science and financial modeling, where APL was commonly used.