Heathkit H11
The Heathkit H11 Computer is an early kit-format personal computer introduced in 1978. It is essentially a Digital Equipment PDP-11 in a small-form-factor case, designed by Heathkit. The H11 is one of the first 16-bit personal computers, at a list price of US$1,295,[2] (equivalent to $5,810 in 2022) but it also requires at least a computer terminal and some form of storage to make it useful. It was too expensive for most Heathkit customers, and was discontinued in 1982.[3]
| Manufacturer | Heathkit |
|---|---|
| Type | Personal computer |
| Release date | 1978 |
| Introductory price | US$1295 (equivalent to $5,810 in 2022)[1] (kit) or US$1595 (equivalent to $7,156 in 2022)[1] (assembled)[2] |
| Discontinued | 1982[3] |
| Media | optional 8-inch floppy disks, optional paper tape |
| Operating system | optional HT-11 |
| CPU | LSI-11 clocked at 2.5MHz |
| Memory | 4kword base system, maximum optional 32kword RAM, 8kword ROM (2 bytes/word) |
| Related | PDP-11 |
Specifications
The H11 featured:[4]
- Processor — LSI-11 (KD11-HA half-size or "double-height" card)
- Speed — 2.5 MHz
- ROM — 8 kWords (16 kBytes) (max)
- RAM — 32 kWords (64 kBytes) (max)
- Slots — 7 Q-bus slots
- Storage — H27 8-inch floppy drive (2 256k 8-inch single sided drives) or paper tape
- I/O — serial (RS-232) or parallel ports
- Operating system — HT-11 (a simplified version of RT-11)
- Instruction set — PDP-11/40 instruction set
- Languages — BASIC, Focal and others
Initial memory limitations restrict the selection of system software, but the system RAM can be expanded to 32 kWords * 16 bit. Many PDP-11 operating systems and programs run without trouble. The system will also work with most DEC PDP-11 equipment, including many Q-bus compatible peripherals.
See also
References
- 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- Heathkit 1978 catalog pages retrieved 2011 July 11
- Wise, Deborah (1982-09-13). "Heath joins Zenith to attract hobbyists, businesses". InfoWorld. p. 19. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
- 1977 advertising material from Heathkit of Benton Harbor, Michigan.
External links
- Heathkit H-11 Computer, Heathkit Computer Advertisements, Decode Systems
- Computer Museum illustration of fully expanded H11 with the Heath/Zenith label.