Research any topic before you write.

Find related topics. | Discover entities. | See connections. | Build a topical map.

Grid Compass

The Grid Compass is a family of laptop computers introduced in 1982 by the Grid Systems Corporation. The design for the Compass was rendered by Bill Moggridge. Owing to its clamshell design—the first in a portable computer—some historians credit the original Compass as the first ever laptop.

History, Measurement, Companies & Products

Use the mouse wheel or two fingers (on touchscreens) to zoom in and out of the map.

Research this topic

Explore the main themes, entities and connections around Grid Compass. Start with the topic map, then use the sections below for research and deeper semantic analysis.

Explore this topic

Start with a few of the strongest sections from the source topic. These are research directions, not a list of keywords you must use.

Key facts & relationships

High-confidence facts extracted from structured source data. Use them as anchors for further research.

Connectivity
19-pin "serial", Telephone line+Audio 1,200 bit/s modem, GPIB
CPU
Intel 8086
Developer
Bill Moggridge
Display
320 × 240
Introductory price
US$8,150 (equivalent to $27,190 in 2025)
Manufacturer
GRiD Systems Corp.

Topics to explore

Browse the full topic structure. Each item opens a new analysis centered on that subject.

Overview

History

Models

Advanced semantic analysis

Deeper signals for content research, entity SEO and topical coverage. The plain-language headings explain what each technical view is useful for.

Map overview Semantic statistics

Grid Compass

Nodes36
Edges35
Triples62
Avg. degree1.94
Density0.055556
Components1

How this topic connects Entity context

See the strongest relationship patterns around the current topic before diving into the raw triples.

Grid Compass

Top relations

related to External links · 18
Grid Compass → April, Clare, Compass, Cool Old Junk, Cooper-Hewitt, GRiD CompassVideo, GRiDs, NASA Shuttle, National Design Museum, Net, Nov, October, Retrieved, Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt, Space, SPOC, TotalInfoWorld Aug, Vintage Laptop Museum
related to history · 15
Grid Compass → Along, Compass, Development, Dynabook, Gavilan SC, GRiD Systems Corporation, NASA, SAIC, Sharp PC-5000, Space Shuttle, Special Forces, TEMPEST-compliant, The, The National Security Agency, Xerox PARC
related to Models · 14
Grid Compass → Compasses, Customers, Grid, Grid Central, Grid Server, GRiD-OS, IBM, IBM PCs, Its, MS-DOS, PC, The Compass, The Server, US
Connectivity · 1
Grid Compass → 19-pin "serial", Telephone line+Audio 1,200 bit/s modem, GPIB
CPU · 1
Grid Compass → Intel 8086
Developer · 1
Grid Compass → Bill Moggridge
Display · 1
Grid Compass → 320 × 240
Introductory price · 1
Grid Compass → US$8,150 (equivalent to $27,190 in 2025)
Manufacturer · 1
Grid Compass → GRiD Systems Corp.
Memory · 1
Grid Compass → 256 KB

Important terminology Word statistics

Use these terms to understand the vocabulary surrounding the topic, not as a checklist for keyword stuffing.

Important terminology

compass grid design computer laptop 1982 model ii systems original released bill moggridge gridcase first battery external clamshell april operating

Entity relationships Subject–Predicate–Object triples

SubjectPredicateObjectConfidenceSrc
Grid CompassConnectivity19-pin "serial", Telephone line+Audio 1,200 bit/s modem, GPIB1.00infobox
Grid CompassCPUIntel 80861.00infobox
Grid CompassDeveloperBill Moggridge1.00infobox
Grid CompassDisplay320 × 2401.00infobox
Grid CompassIntroductory priceUS$8,150 (equivalent to $27,190 in 2025)1.00infobox
Grid CompassManufacturerGRiD Systems Corp.1.00infobox
Grid CompassMemory256 KB1.00infobox
Grid CompassOperating systemCCOS (Compass Computer Operating System), optionally MS-DOS 21.00infobox
Grid CompassReleasedApril 1982 (1982-04)1.00infobox
Grid CompassStorage384 KB magnetic bubble1.00infobox
Grid CompassSuccessorGridCase 21.00infobox
Grid CompassTypeLaptop computer1.00infobox
Grid Compassis afamily of laptop computers introduced in 1982 by the Grid Systems Corporation0.90text

Related concept clusters Concept neighborhoods

These clusters group vocabulary that occurs around closely connected concepts in the source material.

    Connections between topic areas Semantic bridges

    Bridges can reveal useful research angles that are easy to miss in a flat list of related terms.

    Min side: 3
    For writers, content strategists, SEOs, marketers and creators — from quick topic research to advanced semantic analysis.