LGR - The IBM Industrial PC from 1985 (Patreon)

https://youtu.be/a6CjUD6Tspk

Greetings, folks! I've got quite the special piece of vintage computing equipment to cover this time, one of those projects that's been on the table for the better part of a year now.

This LGR thing is all about the IBM Model 7532 Industrial Computer, first introduced in May of 1985. It started at $6,149 back then and only went up from there, easily surpassing $10,000 for a decent configuration with color graphics and a hard drive. And it is one massive monster of a rackmount computer, standing 5U high, around 21 inches deep, and weighing 44 pounds. Naturally, I had to give a proper LGR-style rackmount case, and that meant woodgrain. REAL woodgrain, as in real wood. Nice.

It also took a bit longer than usual since, well, I couldn't help myself. Once I tracked down a 7532 and saw how magnificent it was in person, it was all I could do not to spend a ton of cash on peripherals and add-ons. The first was the Industrial Model M keyboard, which I put together using a later Model M and a new old stock Industrial Gray shell. Next was the custom cabinet I commissioned specifically to house this beautiful beast, and once that showed up and looked incredible I simply had to hold out for an Industrial Display to complete the set. That was the final piece of the puzzle, which arrived around a month ago from a large industrial surplus company in New Jersey. It may not be 100% functional, but I love the way it looks regardless and the fact that it was used in the Salem Nuclear Power Plant cracks me up. This whole project does, really.

So I hope y'all enjoy this one! it's been a whole lotta fun to put together and try to push myself in terms of quality. I tweaked my new mic setup a little bit since the first time using it for the Fin Fin episode, and I think it sounds even better now. And I'm continually messing with lighting and framing and whatnot with every video, but decided to experiment even more with this one since I spent so much time over the past weeks/months shooting different chunks of b-roll. The result is not far off from the usual look but I think that the strategic amounts of dimmed overhead lighting and a little low-key and fill lighting helped it turn out well.

Anyway, yep, that's what this is. Off to bed now since I'm getting my first vaccine dose early in the morning if all goes well, and to say I'm stoked for that is an understatement. Have a good week and take care y'all!