1980s Vintage Computers |
|||||||||||||
|
WelcomeMy main interest in old computers are old business microcomputers particular the Hewlett-Packard HP-85 and the IBM PC family. Please follow the links on the left to enter the main sections. Recent Updates20/6/21 - Added Merlin Tonto page 10/8/16 - Updated HP-85 Software and added Hornets nest from Practical Computing August 1980 20/7/14 - Updated Celetronics Promicron page 18/2/13 - Added NEC PC-8001 page 1/12/12 - Added another chapter to Son of Hexadecimal Kid 21/11/12 - Added Microwriter MW4 page 12/1/12 - Added PSI Comp 80 page 29/6/11 - Added Larr's Ghost from Practical Computing, November 1980 5/11/08 - Added List of Machines in collection. 5/10/08 - Added Acorn BBC Computer pages 27/5/07 - Added Wireless World magazine. 9/5/07 - Added Cromemco Z-2D and NorthStar Advantage pages to the CP/M section. 17/1/07 - Added more Practical Computing magazine covers. 1/6/06 - Added Transam Tuscan page 23/5/06 - Updated HP-85 pages with Forth ROM info 16/4/06 - Added AES Superplus pages. 8/4/06 - Added HP-9915 pages, updated CP/M pages. 14/10/05 - Added PRM-85 section, and more Practical Computing covers. 22/6/05 - Added Transam Triton review to Practical Computing section. 15/5/05 - Added CP/M Computers page. 23/3/05 - Minor updates to HP-85 pages. 23/11/04 - Added more Practical Computing covers to December 1981 and added pictures to The Hexadecimal Kid stories. 15/11/04 - Added Practical Computing covers for Oct 78 to Dec 79. Updated HP-85 pages for links and tips. 22/4/04 - Added HP-85 Standard and Math Pacs, HP-87 Demo disk, Action Games and UCSD p-system disks to HP-85/87 software. 1/4/04 - Added HP-85 Service ROM to HP-85 / 87 ROMs, and full HP-85 Assembler disk to HP-85/87 software. 16/3/04 - Added HP-85 / 87 parts list, Ski game screen shot. 28/6/03 - Added The Hexadecimal Kid story in 16 parts from Practical Computing. I would like to find more program listings for the Hewlett-Packard HP-85, which is an unusual 'all-in-one' machine that was a favorite of engineers such as myself. Top machines: Apple II Europlus Other machines: I have the obligatory BBC B, BBC B+ 128k, Master line-up. I also have the Z80 and 6502 additional processors, the Teletext adapter, and hope to run CP/M on a BBC B/Z80 set-up. I have had a few CP/M systems eg Pericom S-100 with twin 8" floppies, Transam Tuscan, Osbourne 1 portable, Merlin 2100 (a rebadged ICL DRS20), Cromemco Z2-D, Zenith Z-120 and NorthStar Advantage. I also have a Research Machines 380Z and 480Z. Portable systems are also of interest, I have a range going from the HP-110, Husky Hunter 2, Epson PX-4+ through to some DOS based Toshiba machines (from the early 1990s). I have a few stand-alone systems too which don't really fit into the 'business machines' category, but are representative of the period. These include: Sharp MZ-80K (built in screen and tape drive) Lastly I have had some fun with a few microprocessor development type boards, in particular a Sinclair MK-14 and a Motorola MEK6800-D2. The MK-14 was sold to fund other projects. I hope to add some info on other machines that I had an interest in: UK101 (now sold) Apart from Practical Computing, I also have a set of 'Computer User Magazine' from the 1980s, which was aimed at home users but ran some interesting articles & interviews, and featured a detailed look (in colour) at a different machine each month. I will update my links to other favourite computer collections on the web, but I would recommend a web search for vintage computer collections. Search and Site MapPlease enter a keyword, or have a look at a map of the whole site.
Thanks to..Matthew Saxby, who got me started with BBC Bs and an IBM AT; Graham Vine, for a wide range of machines and manuals; Bob Hahm, Oliver Williams, Gil Smith, Vassilis Prevelakis, Everett Kaser and many more HP collectors for their support and encouragement; several very kind people for donations of old equipment; plus many more of you out there who have given advice in response on various web forums and e-mail pleas for help (and back in the day usenet postings too). About meI am John Shadbolt and live in the UK. General linksDigidome (sadly no more, this is link to the Internet Archive. I particularly like the use of plants in most of the photos) |
||||||||||||
This page was last revised on: 30/12/17 |