The PRO-80 Computer
Dublin Core
Title
The PRO-80 Computer
Subject
Hardware: single-board computer
Description
The PRO-80 single-board computer kit was designed and manufactured by Protec Microsystems Inc. of Montreal, Quebec. It was introduced in 1981 and distributed by Protec as well as by General Electronics of Willowdale, Ontario. The computer was designed around the popular S-100 bus architecture that allowed the user to expand the system with a variety of S-100 boards available on the market.
In 1983, Protec introduced another single-board computer -- the PRO-83. The computer was followed with the Multi-Lab computer in 1984.
Hardware specification:
Protec also offered the PRO-VIDEO expansion card that provided:
The card was supported with an 8 Kb editor/assembler. In April 1983, the computer was priced at $169 while its expansion card at $249.
In 1983, Protec introduced another single-board computer -- the PRO-83. The computer was followed with the Multi-Lab computer in 1984.
Hardware specification:
- CPU: Zilog Z80A
- RAM: 1Kb expandable to 2 Kb
- EPROM: 1Kb containing the monitor software
- ports/interfaces: 2 parallel I/O ports, audio cassette interface
- keyboard: 16-key Hex with 8 additional keys
- display: 6-position Hex
- The PRO-80 Assembly and Operations Manual, Protec, 1981
- monitor (1K Byte)
Protec also offered the PRO-VIDEO expansion card that provided:
- video controller for a standard color or B/W TV
- Eprom programmer
- up to 22 Kb of RAM
The card was supported with an 8 Kb editor/assembler. In April 1983, the computer was priced at $169 while its expansion card at $249.
Creator
Protec Microsystems Inc., Montreal, Quebec
Coverage
Canada, early 1980s
Files
Citation
Protec Microsystems Inc., Montreal, Quebec, “The PRO-80 Computer,” York University Computer Museum Canada, accessed December 3, 2021, https://museum.eecs.yorku.ca/items/show/325.