[ Captured from The ZCPR3 BBS/Z-NODE CENTRAL - Jun 25, 1986 ] Msg #6612 posted 06/22/86 by Ken Davidson To: Rick Charnes About: Micromint (12 lines) Rick, Are you familiar with Steve Ciarcia of BYTE magazine? Micromint markets and supports the projects he writes about in his articles. Take a look at the September/October 1985 issues of BYTE for a description of the HD64180 and the SB180 which uses it. The chip is basically a super Z-80 with an on-board MMU, DMAC, 2 serial ports, internal timers, etc. We (yes, I work there) run the Circuit Cellar BBS to support customers (203/871-1988). If you want more information about the company, call the BBS or our toll-free number (800/635-3355) and ask for a catalog. (That wasn't too commercial, was it Dave?) Ken Msg #6619 posted 06/23/86 by BRUCE MORGEN To: Rick Charnes About: micromint (20 lines) Rick, the Micromint SB-180 is the first of a new generation of CP/M-compatible computers bundled with full-up Z-System (Z3 plus ZRDOS). Instead of a Z80, it's built around Hitachi's HD64180, an all-CMOS microprocessor that, for all intents and purposes, is fully compatible with existing 8080/8085 and Z80/NSC800 programs. It is fast - currently 6.144 mHz, with faster parts already in the Trans-Pacific pipeline. Because of improved microcoding, the 64180 is faster than a Z80 running at the same clock speed - to the user, a 6.144 mHz 64180 `looks' like about 7.5 to 8 mHz in Z80 terms. The SB180 is a very good (NOT perfect - first shots seldom are) microcomputer, discernably faster and more refined than a Morrow or Kaypro (especially when using the VERY rapid 190k ramdisk). On the down side, the SB180 has a rather large BIOS, all of which resides in the "user bank" of memory. This makes the TPA with the stock Z-System a bit skinny by Kaypro/Morrow standards: it has a 56k system size - a similarly full-up (w/IOP) system on a floppy-based Kaypro is 2k larger. This has given very few users problems, but NAOG will be supplying a bigger (59.5 to 60k) system without IOP and RCP to support the few in need. Hope this addresses your question. NOW will you drop the absurd notion of running MESS-DOS?