ZP-150
The ZP-150 was one of the early commercially available portable computers. It was released in late 1984 by Zenith data systems and sold by Heathkit.
Market life
The ZP-150 was offered for US$1995 when bundled with the $800 Microsoft Works software, but could be found in the Fall 1985 Heathkit catalog for US$1195. The price came down to $999 in the Winter 1986 edition of the same catalog and $699 in the Fall 1987 edition, as it was being phased out with the release of the Z-181 and Z-183. The main target market was the U.S. government and "the mobile executive", for on-site applications. Its relatively small dimensions and light weight allowed it to be easily carried in a standard briefcase or the included carrying case.
Hardware specifications
- Weight: 7.7 lb
- Dimensions: 13"W × 11.1"D × 1.8"H
- RAM: 32K, expandable to 416K
- ROM: 224K, plus 2 sockets for software expansion
- CPU: Intel 80C88
- Power: 12VDC or 10 AA alkaline batteries (providing 15 hours run-time w/o modem), plus internal nickel-cadmium battery for retaining memory while off, up to 8 days
- Ports:
- Parallel printer
- RS-232C
- Telephone line (300 baud modem)
- System bus
- BCR (for a bar code reader)
- CMT (for data cassette recorder)
- ACP (for acoustic coupler)
- Handset (of telephone)
- LCD display (80 characters/line with 16 lines), contrast control, volume control, and low-battery indicator
- 75-key typewriter-style keyboard
The stock 32K RAM could hold up to 10 typewritten pages. The main methods of file transfer were via the modem or the RS-232C port and a file transfer program.
Software specifications
The ZP-150 came with a built-in System Manager and calculator program, as well as a special version of Microsoft Works 1.10 stored in ROM. Most programs are very similar to the desktop versions, but with reduced functionality.
- Word word processor
- Plan electronic spreadsheet, similar to Multiplan (spreadsheet size up to 255 rows x 63 columns)
- Calendar appointment organizer with alarm
- File database manager
- Telcom telecommunications package
- BASIC program editor and compiler
Accessories
- ZP-150-1 power transformer
- ZP-150-2 32K RAM module
- ZP-150-4 Parallel to Centronics printer cable
- CB-5063-27 File transfer software
Historical significance
The most significant aspect of the ZP-150's history is that it is not remembered as one of the first portable computers, despite its relatively early appearance in the marketplace and being referred to in advertising as a "laptop". Like the IBM PC and Apple II computers, the ZP-150 was quickly copied. The most well-known clone is the Tandy 600, which was very similar in packaging, software, and hardware except for the addition of a floppy drive and the lacking of BASIC. This was not the first laptop that Tandy manufactured, but was one in the TRS-80 line.
See also
References
- ZP-150 User's guide, (1985) Zenith Data Systems Corporation, St. Joseph, MI and Heath Company, Benton Arbor, MI
- Heathkit catalogs, Fall 1985 (No. 870R) pp90-91, Winter 1986 (No. 201) p89, Fall 1987 (No, 207) p84
- OLD-COMPUTERS.com Museum TRS-80 Model 600
- 8bit-Micro.com - TRS-80 Laptops
External links
- IEEE Annals of the History of Computing
- Tandy 600 and Zenith ZP150 photographic comparison of the internal hardware of the Tandy 600 and the Zenith ZP-150
- Zenith Data Systems company timeline