RAMAC images
Computer Desktop Encyclopedia THIS DEFINITION IS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY. All other reproduction is strictly prohibited without permission from the publisher.Copyright © 1981-2010 by Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved.
The RAMAC, 1956
Part computer, part tabulator, IBM's RAMAC was the first machine with a hard disk, an extraordinary technology of the times. Each of the 24" diameter platters held a whopping 100,000 characters (they weren't called bytes then) for a total of five million characters. (Images courtesy of International Business Machines Corporation. Unauthorized use not permitted.)
Computer Desktop Encyclopedia THIS DEFINITION IS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY. All other reproduction is strictly prohibited without permission from the publisher.Copyright © 1981-2010 by Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved.
RAMAC Resurrected
In 1994, IBM reinstated the RAMAC name for its new hard disk arrays. In the ensuing 38 years, areal density grew from 2,000 to 259,500,000 bits per square inch and access time decreased from 600 milliseconds to 9.5. The first RAMAC held 5MB compared to this one which holds 90,000MB (90GB). Subsequent storage arrays from IBM hold terabytes in this much space. (Image courtesy of International Business Machines Corporation. Unauthorized use not permitted.)
Computer Desktop Encyclopedia THIS DEFINITION IS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY. All other reproduction is strictly prohibited without permission from the publisher.Copyright © 1981-2010 by Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved.
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