Magnetic Drum Data Processing System Machine 650

• Country
• United States of America (USA)

• Manufacturer / Brand
• IBM; Armonk, N.Y.

• Year
• 1954–1962

• Category
• Signal Processing and Computing

• Radiomuseum.org ID
• 297336

• Picture
• Schematics

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Click on the schematic thumbnail to request the schematic as a free document.

• Number of Tubes
• 2000

• Valves / Tubes
• 5696 6463

• Number of Transistors

• Semiconductors
• OA86C

• Main principle
• Special principle (see notes)

• Wave bands
• - without

• Power type and voltage
• Powered by external power supply or a main unit.

• Loudspeaker
• - - No sound reproduction output.

• Material
• Metal case

• from Radiomuseum.org
• Model: Magnetic Drum Data Processing System Machine 650 - IBM; Armonk, N.Y.

• Shape
• Boatanchor (heavy military or commercial set >20 kg).

• Dimensions (WHD)
• 62.125 x 30.25 x 50.75 inch / 1578 x 768 x 1289 mm

• Notes

• The IBM 650 Magnetic Drum Data-Processing Machine is one of IBM's early computers, and the world’s first mass-produced computer. Almost 2,000 systems were produced, the last in 1962

  The IBM 650 needs a IBM 655 Power Unit. It houses 650 power supply, translating circuitry

  Some 650 milestones - variants:
  July 14, 1953:  IBM 650 Magnetic Drum Data Processing System Machine is announced.
  December 8, 1954: The first 650 delivered to a customer.
  1955: Magnetic tape input-output and the IBM 407 accounting machine are announced as additional equipment for the 650 system.
  September 14, 1956: 650 RAMAC (which combines the IBM 650 Magnetic Drum Data Processing Machine and a series of IBM 355 disk memory units) and the 305 RAMAC are announced.
  March 30, 1959: IBM 355 Model 2 Disk Storage Unit with double capacity disk storage files for the IBM 650 is announced.
  June 12, 1959: IBM 650 Model 4 console unit is introduced.
  June 18, 1959: Double capacity magnetic drum storage for the 650 Data Processing System is announced.
  1962: The final IBM 650 is manufactured.
  August 18, 1969: The IBM 650 and its components are withdrawn from marketing (support end!).

  General information
  about 2000 tubes and 5000 Germanium diodes
  clock frequency: 125 kHz
  Storage capacity of magnetic drum:
  10,000 or 20,000 digits (1,000 or 2,000 words)
  Input units:
  IBM 533 Read-Punch Unit
  IBM 407 Accounting Machine
  IBM 727 Magnetic Tape Unit
  Output units
  IBM 533 Read-Punch Unit
  IBM 407 Accounting Machine (with Summary Punch)
  IBM 727 Magnetic Tape Unit
  Input-Output storage areas
  Independent storage areas are provided for simultaneous input and output operations.

  Approximate calculating speeds (optimally programmed)
  78,000 additions or subtractions per minute
  5,000 multiplications per minute (multiplier = 5,555,555,555)
  3,700 divisions per minute (divisor = 5,555,555,555)
  138,000 logical decisions per minute

  Floating-Point arithmetic

  Approximate calculating speeds (optimally programmed)
  35,300 floating additions or subtractions per minute (4 shifts)
  6,000 floating multiplications per minute (multiplier = 55,555,555)
  3,800 floating divisions per minute (divisor = 55,555,555)

  When a program error occurred, the computer could automatically jump back in the program and run through the program again, which meant a considerable time saving compared to manual re-entry for checking.

  It also had a magnetic drum memory, hence the official name IBM 650 Magnetic Drum Data Processing Machine.

• Net weight (2.2 lb = 1 kg)
• 905 kg / 1993 lb 6.3 oz (1993.392 lb)

• Mentioned in
• IBM History

• Author
• Model page created by Heribert Jung. See "Data change" for further contributors.

• Other Models

• Here you find 18 models, 18 with images and 12 with schematics for wireless sets etc. In French: TSF for Télégraphie sans fil.
  All listed radios etc. from IBM; Armonk, N.Y.