The announcement last year that Bill Moggridge was selected to be the new head of the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt Museum in New York gave me pause. In my daily work I tend to stay on a narrow path of aerospace-related topics, but that name sounded familiar.

Bill Moggridge, director of the Smithsonian's Cooper Hewitt Museum in New York.

A glance at my bookshelf gave me the answer: before joining the Cooper-Hewitt, Moggridge was a co-founder of the international design firm IDEO, and while there he played a crucial role in the design of the world’s first laptop computer: the GRiD Compass, first marketed in 1982. The unusual capitalization of “GRiD” was a trademark of the company that developed it. I knew about the Compass because that device was also the first laptop flown in space. According to a press release from GRiD Systems, Inc., “The GRiD Compass was first used on the Space Shuttle mission launched from Kennedy Space Center on November 28, 1983. The computer, code-named SPOC (Shuttle Portable On-Board Computer) by NASA was slightly modified for operation in a weightless environment…” (Neither this press release nor any from NASA notes the similarity between the acronym and the better-known character from the television series Star Trek.)

The National Air and Space Museum has several GRiD compass computers in its collections, including one that has flown on two Shuttle flights, STS-35 and STS-36. The modifications were minor: the attachment of pieces of Velcro to fasten it to various places on the flight deck, a modification of the power cord to plug into the Shuttle’s power supply, and the addition of a small fan to compensate for the lack of convective cooling in zero-G. A lot of custom work went into the development of specialized software, however: to aid Shuttle astronauts in managing their mission and assisting with navigation, and as a back-up to prepare the vehicle for return to Earth. As with every item carried on the Shuttle, the software had to be rigorously tested before it was loaded onto the computer.

GRiD 'Compass' Laptop The National Air and Space Museum has several GRiD compass computers in its collections, including one that has flown on two Shuttle flights, STS-35 and STS-36. Shuttle VPN for PC & Windows 10,8,8.1,7/Laptop & Mac You do not know how to unlock the websites or banned games or apps in your region using the Shuttle VPN on PC. Then here I guide you on how you can download Shuttle VPN for PC and browse the internet anonymously and access the banned sites easily using the VPN on PC. The Shuttle family of products are the premiere multi-media editing tool. Whether you are working in video, audio, photography, graphic design or any creative setting the Shuttle can help maximize productivity and allow you to focus on what matters, creating. Staples.com: Samsonite Aramon Laptop Notebook, Black Neoprene with fast and free shipping on select orders. Shuttles and Pick-up Sticks are integral components to your weaving time and effectiveness at your loom. Shuttles are the most used weaver’s tool and can make or break your weaving time if you’re holding the wrong one. Knowing your shed height and yarn requirements are important, but don’t forget about the look and feel of the Shuttle too!

STS-46 Mission Specialist Franklin R. Chang-Diaz works with GRiD 'Compass' laptop on the middeck of Atlantis, Orbiter Vehicle 104.

To return to its design: the GRiD pioneered the so-called “clamshell” case for laptops, but it also had several unique qualities. Its case was made of rugged magnesium, not plastic. It had no rotating disk, which might have caused reliability problems; but rather a “bubble” memory that had no moving parts. And it used a custom, bright orange “electro-luminescent display, visible in the brightest sunlight. It is a beautiful machine to hold, and a testament to Moggridge’s, and GRiD Systems’ attention to detail. Laptop computers are nothing special today—they seem to be giving way to smaller devices including smart phones—but this one is special.

What is a Barebone?

Barebones are semi-finished PCs. At Shuttle, these consist of a Mini-PC case, power supply, cooling system and mainboard. To complete your barebone you need a processor (if not already soldered on the mainboard), some memory, the required drives and sometimes a graphics card. So accordingly an operational Mini-PC is no longer a barebone.

Shuttle Laptops & Desktops Driver Download For Windows 10 64-bit

Shuttle product range

• Mainboards
  Mainboards are an integral part of every PC. The main circuit board, also called motherboard, contains all the essential components such as the processor or memory.
  Note: Shuttle mainboards are no longer sold separately.
• Monitors
  Slim TFT monitors in 17“ format with a convenient handle, or in 19” format and low-reflection safety glass.
  Note: The Shuttle monitor product range has phased out and is no longer available.
• XPC Accessories
  VESA mount, WLAN module or just a more powerful power supply - Shuttle’s line-up of XPC accessories offers this and much more.
• XPC Barebones
  XPC Barebones are half-assembled PCs that include a motherboard, power supply and cooling system in a compact case. You choose the CPU, memory, graphics card and drives that fit your needs. XPC Barebones are available in different versions. Learn more about the various models here.
• XPC complete systems
  Complete systems are Shuttle's fully-configured PCs in a compact casing including a 24-month pick-up and return service. The design can differ greatly.
• NAS (Network Attached Storage)
  Under the name OMNINAS, Shuttle markets its own network storage systems. These small devices have space for hard drives and feature a network connection.
  Note: The OMNINAS product range has phased out and is no longer available.

What's my Shuttle model?

Try our search function for easier model identification.

This is how you find the name of the XPC Barebone model

Silicon image hard disk controller driver download free. The name of the Shuttle XPC Barebone model is indicated on a label on the bottom or back of the case.

This is how you find the name of the XPC complete system model

Shuttle Laptops & Desktops Driver Download For Windows 10 Laptop

This is how you find the name of the OMNINAS model

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