Humdinger (computer)
| Manufacturer | Venture Micro, Inc |
|---|---|
| Type | Home computer |
| Release date | 1983 |
| Introductory price | US$129.95 |
| CPU | Zilog Z80 |
| Memory | 4 KB expandable to 64 KB |
| Removable storage | Cartridge |
| Display | 256×192 pixels, 8 colors |
| Sound | 4 channels, 5 octaves |
| Connectivity | Joystick port, Centronics, RS-232, |
The Humdinger Color Computer was an 8-bit home computer introduced in 1983 by Venture Micro, Inc., of Cupertino, California.[1]
It had the following specifications:[2]: 184
- Zilog Z80 microprocessor
- 4 KB of main memory (expandable to 64 KB)
- 58-key, chiclet-style keyboard with rubber keys
- A 256×192 pixel, 8 color display with 12 modes
- 4 channel, 5 octaves sound[3]
- Centronics parallel printer interface
- RS-232 serial port
- Joystick port
- Cartridge port
The original retail price was US$129.95.[4]: 54 It made its first appearance at the eighth annual West Coast Computer Faire, held from March 18 to March 20, 1983.[3] It was released to retailers in the United States in mid-May 1983.[5][6][1] Intended as a ZX Spectrum killer,[7] the Humdinger computer proved short-lived in the marketplace, as Venture Micro dissolved in 1984.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Humdinger on the way" (PDF). Home Computing Weekly. No. 4. March 29, 1983. pp. 1, 5.
- ^ Ahl, David H. (June 1983). "The 8th West Coast Computer Faire, San Francisco, March 18–20, 1983". Creative Computing. 9 (6). Ziff-Davis: 180–190 – via the Internet Archive.
- ^ a b Hartnell, Tim (June 1983). "Stateside". ZX Computing. 1 (7). Argus Specialist Publications: 54.
- ^ Desposito, Joe (June 1983). "In This Corner..." (PDF). Computers & Electronics. 21 (6). Ziff-Davis: 48–54. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 31, 2020 – via World Radio History.
- ^ Kancitis, Shelley (May 11, 1983). "Best to Research Before Shopping for Computers". Lakeside Review: 5 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Staff writer (July 1983). "9th West Coast Computer Faire Exhibitors". Silicon Gulch Gazette (37): 23 – via the Internet Archive.
- ^ Kewney, Guy (April 8, 1983). "California Faire remains micro mecca". Personal Computer News. 1 (4). VNU Business Publications: 4 – via the Internet Archive.
- ^ "Venture Micro, Inc". OpenCorporates. n.d. Archived from the original on October 26, 2022.
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