The Dulmont Magnum disk drive belongs with a laptop computer that is an example of a particular style of early laptop (being similar to the HP 110 and the Sharp PC-5000) but it is also one of the very few Australian PCs ever marketed. It is definitely the first and only Australian produced laptop personal computer.

The Dulmont Magnum had some market place success in Australia (especially in Canberra where is appears to have been recommended for Government departments) and achieved some success overseas where it was sometimes marketed as the Kookaburra.

The donor explained when asked why he and his wife had chosen the Dulmont Magnum 'it was very advanced, it was Australian and it was launched by Barry Jones'.

This Dulmont Magnum has a 16 line LCD screen (earlier versions had 8 lines) and comes with a Disk Expansion Kit.

Damian McDonald
April 2007

The disk drive was designed and made by Dulmont Electronic Systems Pty Ltd in Hornsby Northgate, New South Wales in 1985.

This Disk Expansion Box was used with the Dulmont Magnum laptop by the donor to write her doctoral thesis.

Disk Expansion Box with packaging and documentation, for Dulmont Magnum laptop computer, plastic / metal / electronic components / cardboard / styrofoam, designed and made by Dulmont Electronic Systems Pty Ltd, Hornsby Northgate, New South Wales, Australia, 1985

The Disk Expansion Box consists of a dark green rectangular plastic case without a lid. Two slots at the front take 51/4 floppy disks. There is a 60 pin connector socket and an AC power cable attached. A black power cord is attached to one end. The original packaging consists of a cardboard sleeve and two moulded styrofoam sheets. The packaging also contains a black lead with a 60 pin connector art each end to connect the disk box to the laptop.

Made: Dulmont Electronic Systems Pty Ltd; Hornsby Northgate, New South Wales; 1985

See part records for details.

2007/49/2

1985