Ohio Scientific Challenger 1P, Apple II+, TRS-80 Model 1, Atari 400, Osborne 1a, System-80/Video Genie/PMC-80, IBM-5150 (IBM-PC), ZX-81, TRS-80 Colour Computer 1, Vic-20, Epson HX-20, BBC-B, ZX-Spectrum, Kaypro II, Eaca Colour Genie, RX-8800, Apple IIe, Atari 800XL, Tandy Model 100, Commodore 64, Commodore 64C, Commodore SX-64, Spectravideo 318, Mattel Aquarius, Sinclair QL, Atari 130XE, Apple IIe Platinum, IBM PS/2 30-286, Compaq SLT/286, Amiga 500, Atari 1040ST, Mac SE/30, Mac Classic II, Mac Powerbook 145B, Generic 386DX-40

Osborne 1a

Released in 1980, the Osborne was one of the first computers designed for the busy executive on the go. It was also good for building biceps. This Z80-driven, CP/M "luggable" was one of the first complete microcomputer business packages. By this I mean a full head of 8-bit Z80 RAM (64k), a useable full-stroke keyboard, two disk drives and the full library of business software. You got everything you would probably ever need with one purchase.

One feature of interest is the screen. It's a tiny 5 inch 24 line x 52 characters. I wonder how many cases of user eye strain and migraines this caused? It's remarkably clear for such small characters though.

I remembering seeing ads for this computer when it first came out. I really wanted one, primarily because it was portable. In these days of laptops (and Ipods) we take it for granted that computers can go with us but that was not the case back then. Mobility was a real novelty. It had that wow factor!

I got this ugly old beast in September 2007 off an auction site complete with original manual and software disks. It was the first vintage computer I bought after deciding to start a collection. It didn't bode well for my new hobby when five minutes after I turned it on there was a loud bang and smoke started to pour out the disk drives! I opened it up and found blown capacitors in the power supply, presumably from non-use after all these years. Luckily these were easily fixed. The troubles didn't end there though, as it then simply refused to boot. After some experimentation I found the cause. A faulty RAM chip. This was replaced with a spare chip (socketed) from one of my parts-only System 80s. Luckily the latter used exactly the same RAM.

It now goes ok, but it's still cantankerous. It will lock up on occasions after an hour or two of continuous use. Maybe a gimpy power supply as the screen starts fluctuating in width just before it happens. If you switch off and turn it on again it's fine..at least until the next time. Also, the B drive is also getting rather worn and despite disassembly, cleaning and lubing it definitely reads better than it writes.

The original software disks were fine except for one utility file on the CP/M boot disk. Thankfully it's the LEAST important one. One day I'll try to get it off the Internet and into the machine for writing on a disk. Then the original software set will be complete.

Although (or perhaps because) it looks positively Jurassic, I love this old computer. It's one of the more treasured in my collection.

Want to know more about this micro? Google is your friend.

This page last edited 10th August, 2008

Comments welcome...

Comments by Haloscan