Zenith ZP-150

The ZP-150 was one of the earliest commercially available laptops. It was released in late 1984 by Zenith Data Systems.

Market life
The ZP-150 was offered for US$1995 when bundled with the US$800 Microsoft Works software, but could be found in the Fall 1985 Heathkit catalog for US$1195. The price came down to US$999 in the Winter 1986 edition of the same catalog and US$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:
 * Parallel printer
 * RS-232C
 * Telephone line (300 baud modem)
 * System bus
 * BCR (for a bar code reader)
 * CMT (for data cassette recorder)
 * ACP (for acoustic coupler)
 * Handset (of telephone)


 * 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.