The Datapoint 3600 is a terminal. They were introduced in June 1975 and cost $1,950, which is $9,320 in 2020 (£7,030). It was sold as a low cost video terminal intended for use with the Datashare multi-terminal time-sharing system, where the 3600 communicates with a Datapoint 2200 or 5500 via the Multiple Port Communications Adaptor. A Terminal Printer was also available to connect to the 3600.
In 1978 there was an option to buy the model with a detatchable keyboard, which had to be ordered from the factory at an additional cost of $250. The 3600 could also be rented from Datapoint at a cost of $77 per month. Datapoint offered a maintenance cost of $20.
Screen capacity is 1920 characters formatted as 80 characters per line by 24 lines. A full upper and lower case character set compatible with all the Datapoint processors is standard. The serial data is transmitted in ASCII format normally at 1200 baud.
Computerworld 25th Sepember 1978 explains how eight Datapoint 3600 terminals, with printers, could be attached to one Datapoint Datashare 5500 Processor. These Processors could interface with each other around the world to form a common network, without the need for a centralised branch printer.
Sadly our Datapoint 3600 is in poor state of repair. Thankfully the CPU board appears to be ok, with only the anti-glare coating of the CRT and the keyboard steel work having taken a big hit.
Specifications are:
- Screen Size: 5″ x 7.9″ (12.7cm x 20cm)
- Character Size: 0.146″ x .071″ (3.7mm x 1.Bmm)
- Refresh Rate: 50/60 cps (power line frequency)
- Deflection Method: Raster Scan
- Buffer Memory: 1920 characters
- 110, 150, 220, 300, 440, 600, 2400, 4800, 9600 Baud
- Receive & Transmit speeds are independent
- Interface: RS232B
- Power: 115V (230V Optional)
- Width: 18″ (45.7cm) Length: 19″ (48.3cm) Height: 12″ (30.5cm)
- Weight: 30 lbs. (16.5 kg)
- Model Code 3601: Datapoint 3600 Datastation – Datashare compatible
- Model Code 3111: 230 VAC, 50-60Hz power option
| Year | 1975 |
| Make & Model | CTC Datapoint 3600 |
| Generation | Terminal |
| CPU | NA |
| Speed | 9600 baud |
| RAM & ROM | NA |
| Power | 115V AC |
| Exhibit No. | 1326 |
