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 in the same catalog to $999 in the Winter 1986 edition 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 x 11.1"D x 1.8"H
- RAM: 32K, expandable to 416K
- ROM: 224K, plus 2 sockets for software expansion
- 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, a type of external modem)
- Handset (of telephone)
- LCD Monitor (80 characters/ine 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 tyewritten 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 Miltiplan (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 refered to in advertising as a "laptop". Like the IBM 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