ZP 150

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 to $999 in the Winter 1986 edition of the same catalog 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 × 11.1"D × 1.8"H

RAM: 32K, expandable to 416K

ROM: 224K, plus 2 sockets for software expansion

CPU: Intel 80C88

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:

LCD display (80 characters/line 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 typewritten 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 Multiplan (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 referred to in advertising as a "laptop". Like the IBM PC 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.