Comments on: Osborne Computer liquidated April 9, 1986 https://dfarq.homeip.net/osborne-computer-liquidated-april-9-1986/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=osborne-computer-liquidated-april-9-1986 David L. Farquhar on technology old and new, computer security, and more Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:23:41 +0000 hourly 1 By: S.M. Oliva https://dfarq.homeip.net/osborne-computer-liquidated-april-9-1986/#comment-56934 Fri, 18 Apr 2025 21:32:47 +0000 https://dfarq.homeip.net/?p=37396#comment-56934 As part of my own research, I have a copy of Adam Osborne’s book “Hypergrowth,” which he released in the midst of Osborne Computer Corporation’s collapse. It’s quite a fascinating read, particularly because he goes into great financial and logistical detail about the company. Obviously, he tries to shift most of the blame to the CEO he hired to run the business. The book’s foreword even contains a copy of a letter from the CEO threatening a lawsuit if Osborne proceeded with publishing the book!

]]> By: Mark R https://dfarq.homeip.net/osborne-computer-liquidated-april-9-1986/#comment-56931 Tue, 15 Apr 2025 23:08:41 +0000 https://dfarq.homeip.net/?p=37396#comment-56931 Another good analysis. I remember playing with the Osborne at a computer store back when it was relatively new. My strongest memory of it was being shocked by the size of the CRT display and the resulting tiny text. Of course, using a 19-inch television as my display and later a 14-inch Amdek composite video monitor had made me used to much larger and more legible text. Being a late-teen, the monochrome also put me off because I was so interested in games and graphics. Of course, the price was also an issue because there was no way I could consider anything over $500 at the time.

In retrospect, I think the final nail of my disinterest in the Osborne was my teenaged self not yet having any experience working a “real” job in an office. So the idea of having a (sort of) portable computer would have held no relevance or value for me. In fact, I can’t recall even considering that aspect of the machine at the time.

And how the hell did I *not* know until today that Lee Felsenstein designed the Osborne? Although I knew about Lee’s many other exploits, somehow I missed that. Which is unfortunate because a few months ago I randomly ran into Lee at the Hacker’s Conference and we ended up hanging out for a while chatting about all kinds of fun early days retro stuff. Of course, I’ve run into Lee before over the years but never really had time to get to know him one on one. If I wasn’t so deficient on the vital Jeopardy category “Early CP/M Computer Designers”, I would have been curious to get his perspective on Osborne the company and the man. Now that I’m less ignorant, maybe at this year’s Hacker’s… 🙂

Lee was so nice he found me later just to give me a signed copy of this latest book – which I’m ashamed to admit I’ve only gotten part way through. Apparently, I must have stopped just before the Osborne chapter!

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