Tektronix
4081
The Tektronix 4081 was a version of the 4010 series with an Interdata 7/16 minicomputer built into an office desk, which saw limited use. The 4081 is part of the Tektronix 4010 series of storage-tube-based text-and-graphics computer terminals.[1]
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Plate 01Demo reel Tektronix 4081 Shot in 1976
Audie NicaletteWatch on YouTubePlate 024081 1976 Demonstration
VintageTEK MuseumWatch on YouTube
Produced
1972–
Node / era
Tektronix 4010
What it is
The Tektronix 4081 is a computer terminal system based on storage-tube display technology, built around an Interdata 7/16 minicomputer integrated into an office desk.[1]
How it works
The display uses a direct-view bistable storage tube, which retains an image on the screen without needing additional electronics to refresh it; the image remains until deliberately erased.[1]
The 4081 incorporates an Interdata 7/16 minicomputer, providing a self-contained computing capability rather than relying solely on a remote host.[1]
Applications
The Tektronix 4010 series was widely used in the computer-aided design market during the 1970s and early 1980s.[1]
The 4081, as part of this series, would have been applied to similar tasks such as interactive graphics, drafting, and data plotting, benefiting from the integrated minicomputer for local processing.[1]
What do the numbers mean?
Control & software2
Configuration & options3
Vintage & configurations
- 1972Production start[1]
First model in the 4010 series released
Where are the manuals?
Generated from public-source data on file. Enter your email to access — nothing is published; details are routed privately.
Not publicly documented
Field notes
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Frequently asked questions
What is the Tektronix 4081?
The Tektronix 4081 is a storage-tube graphics terminal that integrates an Interdata 7/16 minicomputer into an office desk, part of the Tektronix 4010 series.[1]
What is the role of the built-in minicomputer in the 4081?
The Interdata 7/16 minicomputer provides local computing capability, making the 4081 a self-hosted system rather than a simple terminal.[1]
In what market was the 4010 series commonly used?
The 4010 series was widely used in the computer-aided design market in the 1970s and early 1980s.[1]
Not publicly documented
The following facts about the 4081 are absent from this record as of this revision. First-hand knowledge or a citation closes a gap; every submission is reviewed before publication.
No publicly documented variants, configuration options, or revision breakpoints of the 4081 are on record.
Answerable by: an OEM product catalog or an engineer who ordered or specified the tool
The control-system platform and OS era of the 4081 are not on record.
Answerable by: an engineer who operated it or OEM installation records
No publicly documented failure modes or field errata for the 4081 are on record.
Answerable by: a field service engineer, process engineer, or maintenance technician
No publicly documented compatible parts, consumables, or accessories for the 4081 are on record.
Answerable by: an OEM parts catalog or a service engineer
No publicly hosted manuals, SOPs, or datasheets for the 4081 are on record.
Answerable by: university cleanroom staff or an OEM application specialist
No research found yet — worked with this tool? Share what you know.
Sources & citations
Sources (1)Every fact above is drawn from these public sources
- [1]en.wikipedia.org — en.wikipedia.orgen.wikipedia.org
Last updated Sep 21, 2026.