{"id":21591,"date":"2025-07-08T15:09:31","date_gmt":"2025-07-08T19:09:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/?page_id=21591"},"modified":"2026-06-19T15:41:58","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T19:41:58","slug":"vin76","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/vintage-computing\/item\/vin76\/","title":{"rendered":"Kaypro II"},"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                        Kaypro II\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=\"kaypro-ii\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Kaypro II<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>[Vin76]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250708_191823690-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250708_191823690-400x300.jpg\" alt=\"Kaypro II\" class=\"wp-image-21597\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250708_191823690-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250708_191823690-160x120.jpg 160w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250708_191823690-240x180.jpg 240w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250708_191823690-768x577.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250708_191823690-1536x1153.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250708_191823690-2048x1538.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250708_191823690-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250708_191823690-360x270.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The Kaypro II, introduced in 1982, was a pioneering &#8220;luggable&#8221; computer known for its rugged, all-metal aluminum case and portability, weighing approximately 26 pounds (11.8 kilograms). It featured a 2.5 MHz Zilog Z80 microprocessor, 64 KB of RAM, and two 5\u00bc-inch double-density floppy disk drives, paired with a bright 9-inch green monochrome CRT display that was notably larger and clearer than many contemporaries. The computer ran the CP\/M operating system, which supported a vast library of software, making it a versatile and practical choice for business and professional use. The Kaypro II helped popularize the concept of &#8220;turnkey&#8221; portable computers that were ready to use out of the box, influencing the design and marketing of later portable and laptop computers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Manufacturer<\/strong>: Non-Linear Systems (NLS), founded by Andy Kay. The computer division was later spun off as Kaypro Corporation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Released<\/strong>: 1982<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Type<\/strong>: Luggable\/Personal Computer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cost at release<\/strong>: USD $1,795 (CAD ~$6,500 adjusted for inflation)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>MIPS<\/strong>: 0.1 (100 KIPS)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"hardware-specifications\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW169789978 BCX0\">Hardware Specifications<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>CPU<\/strong>: Zilog Z80, 2.5 MHz<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>RAM<\/strong>: 64 KB dynamic RAM<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>ROM<\/strong>: 2 KB system ROM<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Display<\/strong>: 9-inch green phosphor CRT, 80 columns \u00d7 24 lines text-only<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Storage<\/strong>: Two internal 5.25-inch single-sided, double-density floppy disk drives (approx. 191\u2013195 KB each)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Keyboard<\/strong>: Detachable, full-stroke keyboard with numeric keypad (typically 76 keys)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Weight<\/strong>: 26 lbs (approx. 11.8\u201313 kg)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"operating-system-programming-languages\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW50331614 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW50331614 BCX0\">Operating System &amp; Programming Languages<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW50331614 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:0}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Operating System<\/strong>: CP\/M 2.2 (Control Program for Microcomputers) operating system, a widely used OS for 8-bit microcomputers of the early 1980&#8217;s<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Programming Languages<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>S-BASIC: A structured, compiled BASIC language supplied by Kaypro, suitable for both beginners and advanced users.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>MBASIC (Microsoft BASIC): The de facto standard interpreted BASIC for CP\/M systems, widely used for general programming and education.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>C-BASIC: A bytecode-compiled BASIC available for more advanced programming needs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Assembler (Z80 Assembly Language): CP\/M included tools for assembly language programming, allowing direct access to the Z80 CPU.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Other CP\/M Languages: Because the Kaypro II could run any standard CP\/M software, users could install and use a variety of third-party languages, such as:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>FORTRAN<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>COBOL<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pascal<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>dBase II (database programming)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>C (via third-party compilers)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Utility and Scripting Languages: CP\/M also supported scripting and batch file automation for advanced users<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"notables\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Notables<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>All-Metal Construction: The Kaypro II was famous for its rugged, all-metal aluminum case, making it exceptionally durable and giving it a &#8220;built like a tank&#8221; reputation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Luggable, Not Portable: Weighing about 26 pounds, it was marketed as portable, but users often called it &#8220;luggable&#8221; due to its hefty size.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Appliance\/Turnkey Machine: It was one of the first computers marketed as a complete, ready-to-use system, bundled with a large suite of productivity software.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>User Groups: Its popularity led to the formation of numerous user groups across North America for support and community.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;The Tank&#8221;: Due to its heavy, metal case and durability.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Donated By<\/strong>: Arlen Michaels<\/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>Kaypro II [Vin76] The Kaypro II, introduced in 1982, was a pioneering &#8220;luggable&#8221; computer known for its rugged, all-metal aluminum case and portability, weighing approximately 26 pounds (11.8 kilograms). It featured a 2.5 MHz Zilog Z80 microprocessor, 64 KB of RAM, and two 5\u00bc-inch double-density floppy disk drives, paired with a bright 9-inch green monochrome [&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":[90,123],"class_list":["post-21591","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","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\/21591","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=21591"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21591\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24989,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21591\/revisions\/24989"}],"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=21591"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"cu_page_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_page_type?post=21591"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}