Symbolics systems can be put in one of two categories with regard to peripherals and I/O devices. The first category includes "regular" Symbolics systems (3600 through XL1200), these have a specialist processor cabinet with attached special I/O devices. The second category includes the MacIvory which uses an Apple Macintosh as host hence uses Mac monitor, keyboard and mouse (though the MacIvory can use the Symbolics keyboards and mouse via an ADB adapter box); the UX system uses a Sun host, Open Genera uses a Dec Alpha host.

The first category of normal Symbolics systems need a "console" to handle the monitor, keyboard, mouse and other interfaces (such as serial and video mirroring). Hence Symbolics offers a console which takes the form of a B&W monitor with console cable input from processor, this console provides sockets for mouse, keyboard, and RS232. This allows the processor to be housed at a distance from the user environment which keeps noise down and can help keep the processor clean.

I am often asked if the Symbolics can use only a 3rd party monitor. Yes and no. The default first catagory system has no ability to drive any monitor other than the Symbolics console and has no way of communicating with any independent kbd or mouse. However the console interface box offers an independent way to handle the kbd and mouse, so any system that can handle an extra monitor, using a console interface box, can operate as a single monitor system which uses a 3rd party monitor. To handle this 3rd party monitor, the Symbolics system must have the ability to drive a second display which in effect means that they will have either a CAD Buffer (8 bit graphics system) or a full animation graphics system.

Multisynch monitors can be linked in tandem with the normal Symbolics B&W
monitor to provide both color and extra screen real-estate.

I have available:

Standard Symbolics B&W console and cabling

Sony 17" color monitors GDM-1501

Mitsubishi 20M diamond Scan multisynch color monitor

Radius TPD 19" grayscale monitor

Assorted NTSC/PAL color monitors for TV res development work

Cabling of all sorts

Wacom A2 cordless track pad with cordless pressure pen

Original 3600 console cable (1 inch diameter pre-Lemo leviathon)

See monitor-issues . monitor photos . console interface