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Zenith Z-100
The Z-100 computer is a personal computer made by Zenith Data Systems (ZDS). It was a competitor to the IBM PC.
The Zenith Data Systems Z-100 is a pre-assembled version of the Heathkit H100 electronic kit, but unlike the Zenith Z-89 that Heathkit created, the Z-100 was designed first as a preassembled product. Design began in March 1981 for a Z-89 successor with faster processor, improved graphics, support for memory beyond 64K, and more sophisticated operating systems.
In the same family, the Z-120 is an all-in-one model with self-contained monitor, and the Z-110 (called the low profile model) is similar in size to the cabinet of an IBM PC.Both models have a built-in keyboard that was modeled after the IBM Selectric typewriter.
Zenith stated that the Z-100 would be compatible with most Intel 8080 and Z-89 software. The computer is partially compatible with the IBM PC, using standard floppy drives. It runs a non-IBM version of MS-DOS, so generic MS-DOS programs run, but most commercial PC software uses IBM BIOS extensions and do not run, including Lotus 1-2-3. Several companies offered software or hardware solutions to permit unmodified PC programs to work on the Z-100.
The Z-100 has unusually good graphics for its era, superior to the contemporary CGA (640×200 monochrome bitmap or 320×200 four-color), IBM Monochrome Display Adapter (MDA) (80×25 monochrome text-only), and with eight colors or grayscales available at a lower resolution than the Hercules Graphics Card (720×348 monochrome). Early versions of AutoCAD were released for the Z-100 because of these advanced graphics.
Aftermarket vendors also released modifications to upgrade mainboard memory and permit installation of an Intel 8087 math coprocessor.
In 1983, Clarkson College of Technology became the first college in the nation to give each incoming freshman a personal computer. The model issued to them was the Z-100. Each student paid $1800 for the computer during their time at Clarkson.
InfoWorld in 1986 described the Z-120 as "the Air Force's workhorse microcomputer".
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Zenith Z-100 AI simulator
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Zenith Z-100
The Z-100 computer is a personal computer made by Zenith Data Systems (ZDS). It was a competitor to the IBM PC.
The Zenith Data Systems Z-100 is a pre-assembled version of the Heathkit H100 electronic kit, but unlike the Zenith Z-89 that Heathkit created, the Z-100 was designed first as a preassembled product. Design began in March 1981 for a Z-89 successor with faster processor, improved graphics, support for memory beyond 64K, and more sophisticated operating systems.
In the same family, the Z-120 is an all-in-one model with self-contained monitor, and the Z-110 (called the low profile model) is similar in size to the cabinet of an IBM PC.Both models have a built-in keyboard that was modeled after the IBM Selectric typewriter.
Zenith stated that the Z-100 would be compatible with most Intel 8080 and Z-89 software. The computer is partially compatible with the IBM PC, using standard floppy drives. It runs a non-IBM version of MS-DOS, so generic MS-DOS programs run, but most commercial PC software uses IBM BIOS extensions and do not run, including Lotus 1-2-3. Several companies offered software or hardware solutions to permit unmodified PC programs to work on the Z-100.
The Z-100 has unusually good graphics for its era, superior to the contemporary CGA (640×200 monochrome bitmap or 320×200 four-color), IBM Monochrome Display Adapter (MDA) (80×25 monochrome text-only), and with eight colors or grayscales available at a lower resolution than the Hercules Graphics Card (720×348 monochrome). Early versions of AutoCAD were released for the Z-100 because of these advanced graphics.
Aftermarket vendors also released modifications to upgrade mainboard memory and permit installation of an Intel 8087 math coprocessor.
In 1983, Clarkson College of Technology became the first college in the nation to give each incoming freshman a personal computer. The model issued to them was the Z-100. Each student paid $1800 for the computer during their time at Clarkson.
InfoWorld in 1986 described the Z-120 as "the Air Force's workhorse microcomputer".