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Timeline for When was the PDP-11/50 released?

Current License: CC BY-SA 4.0

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Feb 5, 2024 at 5:18 vote accept cjs
Feb 5, 2024 at 0:49 answer added Rick Smith timeline score: 3
Feb 4, 2024 at 20:47 comment added dave This paper says a US Navy postgrad school acquired a couple of 11/50s in late 1974 and early 1975.
Feb 4, 2024 at 19:20 comment added dave I checked my paper handbooks (circa 1976-1980) and the 11/45 and 11/55 appear together but nothing mentions the 11/50. I guess it had a short life. This tends to push the answer you're looking for towards 'earlier' rather than 'later' in the possible range.
Feb 4, 2024 at 18:12 comment added dave The 1973 11/45 handbook does not mention 11/50 or 11/55, but does (section 2.5) mention availability of core, MOS, or bipolar memory. I remain confused about what the /50 and /55 actually were (given they have the same CPU and same basic structure as the /45). The original idea seemed to be /45 = KB11-A + core, /50 = KB11-A + MOS, /55 = KB11-D + bipolar. But then the /45 was upgraded to KB11-D with options for MOS or bipolar memory. (Seems typical DEC practice).
Feb 4, 2024 at 17:34 comment added dave Interestingly, the 1976 04 to 55 processor handbook has the 11/55 but not the 11/50. I don't know if that means the 11/50 came and went before 1976, or that it was not yet available in 1976. Also, the 11/45 is said to be available with bipolar memory.
Feb 4, 2024 at 8:45 history asked cjs CC BY-SA 4.0