ZP-150

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The 1984 Zenith 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

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