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Z-100 (computer)

The Z-100 computer was an early microcomputer made by Zenith Data Systems (ZDS). It was a pre-assembled version of the Heathkit (recently purchased by Zenith Electronics to become ZDS) H-100, which left the final component assembly to early computer hobbyists.

Z-100 Computers were early personal computer (PC) era alternatives to the hardware system that won the marketing shares war in the early to mid 1980s, the IBM PC/XT/AT succession or family of computers. Configured as a family (Z-120 was an all in one model, with self-contained monitor), the Z-100 (called the low profile model) was similar in size to the cabinet of an IBM PC, XT, or AT, but a bit shorter, and configured with a raised cabinet molding on the top surface within which one placed one's display monitor, designed to keep it from sliding off to either side or back. Both models had a built in keyboard that was tactitilly and in appearance modeled on an IBM Selectric typewriter, the premier office machine of the day. The keyboard had a wonderful "feel" and "stroke action" that Byte Magazine columnist and fiction author Jerry Pournelle raved about in several columns.

rough outline/points

1. Dual processors: 8085 and 8086
2. bundled w/both CP/M and Z-DOS
3. S-100 data bus
4. IEEE-488 interface, 2x serial ports, 2X parallel I/O port (3? no), 1x output only (Probably a dedicated PIA chip turned over wholly to external I/O
5. 8-16 colors, upgradable to 64
6. expansion slots
7. base 512k ram (when IBM's default was 256k), increasable to 640k limit imposed by video addresses
8. supported mem bank switching, or was that an addin card? both?

of IBM/XT-IBM/AT era PCs that were "near compatible", were factory equipped with a S-100 bus, IEEE-488 interface and which had better graphics than both an CGA or EGA video card equipped IBM system.

External links

• Z-100 information and pictures from the DigiBarn Computer Museum

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