Heathkit H-88 also referred to by Zenith as the Z-89 (around 1978-79)
All in one computer, build it yourself (really build and assemble it yourself)
Z-80 microprocessor running at the astounding speed of 2mHz
48K Ram upgradable to 64K Ram
5 1/4 inch drive (making it an H-89)
Screen showed 80 characters across, 24 rows down (better than Apple II and TRS-80)
CP/M operating system replacing the original HDOS, therefore had access to all the CP/M software
Heathkit users had their own magazine called SEXtant
It's the computer shown in the current AMC techno-drama Halt and Catch Fire on all the desktops
That's where all the Z-89's went to die, like the elephants.
I bought this computer kit for the word processing capabilities to write my doctoral dissertation, because I kept changing my mind when I wrote (WordStar, what happen to you?) . The Heathkit company didn't care if you opened the case, since you built it in the first place (unlike Apple and less so Radio Shack) . Many of the users upgraded the microprocessors to the 4mHz Z-80A and the 6mHz Z-80B. Now that's a real upgrade in speed, not the 10-20% you see today. Also, you could change the black and white CRT (cathode ray tube - "picture tube") to a green or (later) an amber CRT. These computers were real "hands on computers" for those of us than liked to tinker. I have the computer boxed up in my basement. I think I'll have it buried with me when I die.
-- J R, MD, PhD
(Boy, do I feel old.)
