Vector Graphic
Encyclopedia
Vector Graphic is an early microcomputer from the mid 1970's. It is from the pre-IBM PC era as along with the NorthStar Horizon
, IMSAI, and MITS Altair.
It is based on the S-100 bus
using the Z80 microprocessor. There were several Vector Graphic models produced.
Although primarily used with the CP/M
operating system, it ran several others including OASIS
, Micropolis Disk Operating System (MDOS), and Micropolis Z80 Operating System (MZOS).
Early Vector Graphic models used the Micropolis floppy disk controller and Micropolis floppy disk drives. Later models were designed with the integrated Floppy Drive/Hard Drive controller and used Tandon floppy drives. Almost all used unusual 100 track per inch 5.25" floppy drives and 16 sector hard sector media. Some models included 8" floppy drives and hard disk drives.
Vector Graphic computers had many innovations such as the Flashwriter integrated video and keyboard controller. Vector Graphic is commonly known for their MEMORITE word processing application. When combined with the Flashwriter, the Vector Graphic MEMORITE software gave low cost word processing capability which had previously only been available with dedicated word processors.
Vector Graphic has a small but active user community.
Mailing List:
NorthStar Horizon
Introduced in October 1977, the NorthStar Horizon was an 8-bit computer system based on the ZiLOG Z80A microprocessor. It was produced by North Star Computers, and it could be purchased either in kit form or pre-assembled....
, IMSAI, and MITS Altair.
It is based on the S-100 bus
S-100 bus
The S-100 bus or Altair bus, IEEE696-1983 , was an early computer bus designed in 1974 as a part of the Altair 8800, generally considered today to be the first personal computer...
using the Z80 microprocessor. There were several Vector Graphic models produced.
Although primarily used with the CP/M
CP/M
CP/M was a mass-market operating system created for Intel 8080/85 based microcomputers by Gary Kildall of Digital Research, Inc...
operating system, it ran several others including OASIS
OASIS operating system
The OASIS operating system was originally developed and distributed in 1977 by Phase One Systems of Oakland, California...
, Micropolis Disk Operating System (MDOS), and Micropolis Z80 Operating System (MZOS).
Early Vector Graphic models used the Micropolis floppy disk controller and Micropolis floppy disk drives. Later models were designed with the integrated Floppy Drive/Hard Drive controller and used Tandon floppy drives. Almost all used unusual 100 track per inch 5.25" floppy drives and 16 sector hard sector media. Some models included 8" floppy drives and hard disk drives.
Vector Graphic computers had many innovations such as the Flashwriter integrated video and keyboard controller. Vector Graphic is commonly known for their MEMORITE word processing application. When combined with the Flashwriter, the Vector Graphic MEMORITE software gave low cost word processing capability which had previously only been available with dedicated word processors.
Vector Graphic has a small but active user community.
External links
- old-computers.com
- retrotechnology.com
- www.classiccmp.org
- www.vintage-computer.com
- www.vectorgraphics.org.uk
Mailing List: