{"id":19721,"date":"2024-10-16T14:38:32","date_gmt":"2024-10-16T18:38:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/?page_id=19721"},"modified":"2026-06-19T15:22:41","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T19:22:41","slug":"vin3","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/vintage-computing\/item\/vin3\/","title":{"rendered":"Cromemco Z-2D"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section class=\"w-screen px-6 cu-section cu-section--white ml-offset-center md:px-8 lg:px-14\">\n    <div class=\"space-y-6 cu-max-w-child-5xl  md:space-y-10 cu-prose-first-last\">\n\n            <div class=\"cu-textmedia flex flex-col lg:flex-row mx-auto gap-6 md:gap-10 my-6 md:my-12 first:mt-0 max-w-5xl\">\n        <div class=\"justify-start cu-textmedia-content cu-prose-first-last\" style=\"flex: 0 0 100%;\">\n            <header class=\"font-light prose-xl cu-pageheader md:prose-2xl cu-component-updated cu-prose-first-last\">\n                                    <h1 class=\"cu-prose-first-last font-semibold !mt-2 mb-4 md:mb-6 relative after:absolute after:h-px after:bottom-0 after:bg-cu-red after:left-px text-3xl md:text-4xl lg:text-5xl lg:leading-[3.5rem] pb-5 after:w-10 text-cu-black-700 not-prose\">\n                        Cromemco Z-2D\n                    <\/h1>\n                \n                                \n                            <\/header>\n\n                    <\/div>\n\n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/vintage-computing\/item\">Vintage Computing Collection<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"cromemco-z-2d\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Cromemco Z-2D<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>[Vin3]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250521_125005090-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250521_125005090-400x300.jpg\" alt=\"Cromemco Z-2D\" class=\"wp-image-21192\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250521_125005090-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250521_125005090-160x120.jpg 160w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250521_125005090-240x180.jpg 240w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250521_125005090-768x577.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250521_125005090-1536x1153.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250521_125005090-2048x1538.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250521_125005090-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250521_125005090-360x270.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The Cromemco Z-2D, introduced in 1977, was a pioneering microcomputer notable for its robust modular design, use of the Zilog Z80 processor, and especially its built-in dual 5\u00bc-inch floppy disk drives\u2014an advanced feature at the time that provided substantial data storage and flexibility. Its claim to fame was its exceptional reliability, expandability (supporting up to 21 S-100 bus cards), and adoption in demanding professional, scientific, and military environments, such as the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the U.S. Navy\u2019s Aegis Combat System, which established Cromemco as a leader in early microcomputing. While not a mass-market consumer machine, the Z-2D was highly respected among professionals and enthusiasts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Manufacturer<\/strong>: Cromemco Inc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Type<\/strong>: Rackmount computer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Release Date<\/strong>: 1977<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cost at release<\/strong>: $3,990 (~$20,000 adjusted for inflation)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cost with peripherals<\/strong>: including dual floppy drives and controllers USD $8,000 (CAD ~$40,000 adjusted for inflation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>MIPS<\/strong>: 0.07 MIPS (70 KIPS)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"w-screen px-6 cu-section cu-section--white ml-offset-center md:px-8 lg:px-14\">\n    <div class=\"space-y-6 cu-max-w-child-5xl  md:space-y-10 cu-prose-first-last\">\n\n        \n    \n    <dl class=\"cu-description cu-component-updated\">\n        \n    <div class=\"grid pt-4 pb-3 border-b accordion border-cu-black-100 md:pt-6 md:pb-5 first:border-t\">\n        <dt class=\"font-semibold not-prose\">\n            <button class=\"flex items-center justify-between w-full text-left accordion__button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-hardware-specifications\">\n                <span class=\"flex-1 ml-auto text-left break-words whitespace-normal cu-icon\">\n                    Hardware Specifications\n                <\/span>\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\" class=\"w-5 h-5 ml-auto transition-transform rotate-0 accordion__icon text-cu-black-500\">\n                    <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M8.25 4.5l7.5 7.5-7.5 7.5\"><\/path>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/dt>\n        <dd class=\"p-0 mt-0 cu-prose cu-prose-first-last accordion__content md:p-0 md:mt-0\" hidden=\"\" id=\"accordion-hardware-specifications\">\n            \n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>CPU<\/strong>: Zilog Z80 microprocessor, 4 MHz<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Memory<\/strong>: Standard 64 KB RAM (expandable via S-100 bus)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Storage<\/strong>: Two internal 5\u00bc-inch double-density floppy disk drives<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Motherboard<\/strong>: S-100 bus with up to 21 expansion slots<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Case<\/strong>: Sturdy, industrial-style all-metal rack-mountable chassis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ports<\/strong>: TU-ART dual serial and parallel interface board<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n        <\/dd>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"grid pt-4 pb-3 border-b accordion border-cu-black-100 md:pt-6 md:pb-5 first:border-t\">\n        <dt class=\"font-semibold not-prose\">\n            <button class=\"flex items-center justify-between w-full text-left accordion__button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-operating-system-programming-languages\">\n                <span class=\"flex-1 ml-auto text-left break-words whitespace-normal cu-icon\">\n                    Operating System &amp; Programming Languages\n                <\/span>\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\" class=\"w-5 h-5 ml-auto transition-transform rotate-0 accordion__icon text-cu-black-500\">\n                    <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M8.25 4.5l7.5 7.5-7.5 7.5\"><\/path>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/dt>\n        <dd class=\"p-0 mt-0 cu-prose cu-prose-first-last accordion__content md:p-0 md:mt-0\" hidden=\"\" id=\"accordion-operating-system-programming-languages\">\n            \n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Operating System<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>CP\/M (Control Program for Microcomputers)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cromemco DOS (CDOS), an enhanced derivative of CP\/M<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cromix, a Unix-like multi-user operating system (supported on later or expanded Z-2D systems)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Supported Languages<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>BASIC (including disk BASIC and multi-user BASIC)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>FORTRAN IV (and FORTRAN 77 on later systems)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>COBOL<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pascal<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>C (notably for Cromix and advanced development)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Macro Assembler<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>RATFOR, LISP, RPG-II (available on some Cromemco systems and through CP\/M compatibility)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n        <\/dd>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"grid pt-4 pb-3 border-b accordion border-cu-black-100 md:pt-6 md:pb-5 first:border-t\">\n        <dt class=\"font-semibold not-prose\">\n            <button class=\"flex items-center justify-between w-full text-left accordion__button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-notables\">\n                <span class=\"flex-1 ml-auto text-left break-words whitespace-normal cu-icon\">\n                    Notables\n                <\/span>\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\" class=\"w-5 h-5 ml-auto transition-transform rotate-0 accordion__icon text-cu-black-500\">\n                    <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M8.25 4.5l7.5 7.5-7.5 7.5\"><\/path>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/dt>\n        <dd class=\"p-0 mt-0 cu-prose cu-prose-first-last accordion__content md:p-0 md:mt-0\" hidden=\"\" id=\"accordion-notables\">\n            \n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Cromemco Z-2D was sometimes nicknamed the \u201cSystem Two,\u201d distinguishing it from earlier models.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It featured a robust, industrial metal chassis and was known for its reliability and quiet, stable S-100 bus operation\u2014qualities rare among early microcomputers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Z-2D\u2019s switch-selectable CPU speed (250 or 500 ns cycle time) was unusual for its era, allowing compatibility with a wide range of S-100 expansion cards.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Its dual 5\u00bc-inch floppy drives (the \u201cD\u201d in Z-2D) provided significant storage and enabled the use of more complex applications, a major advantage over tape-based systems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Z-2D was available both as a kit and fully assembled, appealing to both hobbyists and professionals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It was widely used in scientific, financial, and military applications, including the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (where it processed every trade for a decade) and the U.S. Navy\u2019s Aegis Combat System.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cromemco\u2019s Z-2D helped pioneer the use of microcomputers in mission-critical environments, paving the way for later multi-user and Unix-like systems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Its modularity\u2014supporting up to 21 S-100 expansion cards\u2014set a benchmark for expandability in early computing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Z-2D\u2019s legacy is its role in establishing microcomputers as reliable, professional tools for business, science, and government, rather than just as hobbyist devices.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n        <\/dd>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"grid pt-4 pb-3 border-b accordion border-cu-black-100 md:pt-6 md:pb-5 first:border-t\">\n        <dt class=\"font-semibold not-prose\">\n            <button class=\"flex items-center justify-between w-full text-left accordion__button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-donated-by\">\n                <span class=\"flex-1 ml-auto text-left break-words whitespace-normal cu-icon\">\n                    Donated By\n                <\/span>\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\" class=\"w-5 h-5 ml-auto transition-transform rotate-0 accordion__icon text-cu-black-500\">\n                    <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M8.25 4.5l7.5 7.5-7.5 7.5\"><\/path>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/dt>\n        <dd class=\"p-0 mt-0 cu-prose cu-prose-first-last accordion__content md:p-0 md:mt-0\" hidden=\"\" id=\"accordion-donated-by\">\n            \n\n<p>Dr. Arlen Michaels<\/p>\n\n\n        <\/dd>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/dl>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/vintage-computing\/item\">Vintage Computing Collection<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cromemco Z-2D [Vin3] The Cromemco Z-2D, introduced in 1977, was a pioneering microcomputer notable for its robust modular design, use of the Zilog Z80 processor, and especially its built-in dual 5\u00bc-inch floppy disk drives\u2014an advanced feature at the time that provided substantial data storage and flexibility. Its claim to fame was its exceptional reliability, expandability [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":19704,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_cu_dining_location_slug":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"cu_page_type":[135,90,123],"class_list":["post-19721","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","cu_page_type-business-industrial","cu_page_type-vintage-computing","cu_page_type-vintage-inventory"],"acf":{"cu_post_thumbnail":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19721","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19721"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19721\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24952,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19721\/revisions\/24952"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19704"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19721"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"cu_page_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_page_type?post=19721"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}