Adler 1630: Because computer professionals need a professional computer

This computer doesn't seem to exist - at least there doesn't seem to be any information on it, although ribbons for its printer still seem to be available. 

OldComputers.com mentioned one of the company's other machines - the Alphatronic - and, in passing, suggested that Triumph-Adler was not particularly successful as a computer company. 

It also referenced the TA-1600, although it said that that machine wasn't released until 1983[source: www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=1304 (dead link)]. 

Also available, according to the advert, were the TA 1610 - a "stand-alone interactive computer" - which retailed for £5,995, or the 1620 which could support up to four terminals for the bargain price of £8,495 - that's around [[8495|1982]] in [[now]]. 

Both of these were pitched as "cheaper" solutions for businesses which didn't need the top-of-the-range system.

It's interesting therefore to draw a comparison with [@Commodore], as both Commodore and Triumph-Adler (a German company originally, before it was bought by the US Royal Typewriter Co. in 1969) were originally manufacturers of typewriters, with the Triumph part of the merged T/A company even producing mechnical calcuators, as did Commodore.

[picture: adler1100C_pcw_apr80.webp|Evidence that Adler computers even existed, at least in 1980, in the form a photo of the Triumph Adler 1100C, installed with an enclosed printer, two floppy disk units and a screen/keyboard - all for £8,500, or [[8500|1980]] in [[now]]. From PCW, April 1980]

But there the similarities end, as despite a modest run of success when the company was producing machines that competed with IBM's mighty Systems /34 and /36, their computers seemed to disappear without trace. 

That's unlike Commodore, which was the company that had launched the world's first true personal computer in 1977 and which continued to influence the computer industry up until the end of the 80s (it survived up until 1994, but the late-80s Amiga was the last real hurrah).

In 1979, Volkswagen, somewhat improbably, purchased a majority stake in the Triumph/Royal typewriter group and in 1986 it was sold on to Italian typewriter/computer company [@Olivetti] - the same company that had recently rescued Acorn from its financial difficulties.

The advert itself primarily refers to the 1630 system, which seems to be one of the popular-at-the-time micro systems whose job was to run a bunch of terminals, like the [=practical_computing_1983-06_005|RAIR Business Computer] or perhaps ICL's DRS 200. 

It was unusual in seeming to offer only customised software that would be "specifically written by one of the finest teams of software specialists in the country". 

The starting price of £25,300 (including VAT) is a not-inconsiderable [[25300|1982]] in [[now]] money - and that's without any sofware. 

Perhaps it's no wonder it didn't seem to do that well.

