Micromint MPX-16

[Vin119]

The Micromint MPX-16 was a notable early 1980s build-it-yourself IBM PC-compatible single board computer designed by Steve Ciarcia, featured on the cover of BYTE magazine. Its claim to fame was its combination of Intel 8088 CPU with PC/AT bus compatibility and integrated serial terminal console capability, making it a flexible, low-cost option for hobbyists and small offices. Although it never achieved mass-market popularity, with around 400 units made mostly for in-house use, it was important historically as one of the first DIY kits bringing near-PC functionality to the hobbyist and academic communities, bridging the gap between simple SBCs and full PCs in university vintage computing collections. Its main OS was CP/M, and it had planned support for MS-DOS, highlighting its transitional role in early personal computing.

Manufacturer: Micromint
Type: Single Board Computer
Release Date: 1979
Cost at release: usd $1,895 (CAD ~$9,000 adjusted for inflation)
MIPS: 0.5 (500 KIPS)

Hardware Specifications

CPU: Intel 8088 microprocessor, 4.77 MHz clock speed
Memory: Typically 256 KB RAM expandable; includes ROM (up to 64 KB)
I/O: Integrated serial and parallel interfaces, floppy disk controller
System board: Single 9 x 12 inch, 5-layer printed circuit board
Clock generator: Intel 8284 generates system clock and reset signals
Operating Systems: CP/M-86 and early MS-DOS support
Compatibility: IBM PC-compatible bus and hardware architecture
Expandability: Multiple I/O expansion slots for peripherals
Power supply: External power supply unit

Operating System & Programming Languages

Operating System: CP/M-86 operating system, an early OS for 16-bit microprocessors. It also offered compatibility with early versions of MS-DOS due to its IBM PC bus and architecture compatibility, allowing it to run some MS-DOS software
Supported Languages: Assembly language for Intel 8088, BASIC (notably Tiny BASIC interpreters compatible with 8088), Higher-level languages available for CP/M-86 and MS-DOS such as Pascal, C, and FORTRAN (subject to availability of compilers for these operating systems at the time)

Notables

It was one of the first IBM PC-compatible single board computers produced, pioneering PC compatibility in a compact OEM form factor.
The MPX-16 appeared on the cover of BYTE magazine, highlighting its significance in early PC history and hobbyist culture.
Designed by Steve Ciarcia, it bridged the gap between hobbyist kits and fully compatible IBM PC clones, making PC technology more accessible.
Known for its high reliability and quality, it included features like watchdog timers and battery-backed RAM uncommon in hobbyist systems of the era.
It had nine expansion slots fully compatible with IBM PC I/O buses, allowing extensive peripheral expansion.
While not widely popular commercially, it became a cult classic among early PC enthusiasts and academic collections for its innovative design.
Its nickname “Vest Pocket Computer” referred to its unusually compact single-board format for the time.
No notable unusual advertisements survive, but its BYTE magazine feature helped cement its place in vintage computing lore.

Donated by: Dr Arlen Michaels

Vintage Computing Collection