Humdinger (computer)
{{short description|8-bit computer introduced in 1983}}
{{Infobox information appliance
| image =
| type = Home computer
| release date = {{Start date and age|1983}}
| discontinued =
| cpu = Zilog Z80
| CPUspeed =
| os =
| memory = 4 KB expandable to 64 KB
| memory card = Cartridge
| display = 256×192 pixels, 8 colors
| connectivity = Joystick port, Centronics, RS-232,
| sound = 4 channels, 5 octaves
| aka =
| name = Humdinger Color Computer
| baseprice = US$129.95
| manufacturer = Venture Micro, Inc
}}
The Humdinger Color Computer was an 8-bit home computer introduced in 1983 by Venture Micro, Inc., of Cupertino, California.{{Cite news |date=March 29, 1983 |title=Humdinger on the way |pages=1, 5 |work=Home Computing Weekly |issue=4 |url=https://ia800606.us.archive.org/8/items/home-computing-weekly-004/Home_Computing_Weekly_004.pdf}}
It had the following specifications:{{cite journal | last=Ahl | first=David H. | date=June 1983 | url=https://archive.org/details/CreativeComputing198306/page/n181/ | title=The 8th West Coast Computer Faire, San Francisco, March 18–20, 1983 | journal=Creative Computing | publisher=Ziff-Davis | volume=9 | issue=6 | pages=180–190 | via=the Internet Archive}}{{rp|184}}
- Zilog Z80 microprocessor
- 4 KB of main memory (expandable to 64 KB)
- 58-key, chiclet-style keyboard with rubber keys
- A 256×192 pixel, 8 color display with 12 modes
- 4 channel, 5 octaves sound
- Centronics parallel printer interface
- RS-232 serial port
- Joystick port
- Cartridge port
The original retail price was US$129.95.{{cite journal | last=Desposito | first=Joe | date=June 1983 | url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Poptronics/80s/1983/CE-1983-06.pdf#page=52 | title=In This Corner... | journal=Computers & Electronics | publisher=Ziff-Davis | volume=21 | issue=6 | pages=48–54 | via=World Radio History | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831064905/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Poptronics/80s/1983/CE-1983-06.pdf | archivedate=August 31, 2020}}{{rp|54}} It made its first appearance at the eighth annual West Coast Computer Faire, held from March 18 to March 20, 1983.{{cite journal | last=Hartnell | first=Tim | date=June 1983 | url=https://archive.org/details/ZX-computing-1983-06/page/n53/ | title=Stateside | journal=ZX Computing | publisher=Argus Specialist Publications | volume=1 | issue=7 | pages=54}} It was released to retailers in the United States in mid-May 1983.{{cite journal | last=Kancitis | first=Shelley | date=May 11, 1983 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/602755391/ | title=Best to Research Before Shopping for Computers | journal=Lakeside Review | page=5 | via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite journal | last=Staff writer | date=July 1983 | url=https://archive.org/details/bitsavers_computerFatte37Jul83_6726738/page/n22/ | title=9th West Coast Computer Faire Exhibitors | journal=Silicon Gulch Gazette | issue=37 | page=23 | via=the Internet Archive}} Intended as a ZX Spectrum killer,{{cite journal | last=Kewney | first=Guy | date=April 8, 1983 | url=https://archive.org/details/mag_PersonalComputerNews004-08Apr1983/page/n5/ | title=California Faire remains micro mecca | journal=Personal Computer News | publisher=VNU Business Publications | volume=1 | issue=4 | page=4 | via=the Internet Archive}} the Humdinger computer proved short-lived in the marketplace, as Venture Micro dissolved in 1984.{{cite web | date=n.d. | url=https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_ca/C1175250 | title=Venture Micro, Inc. | work=OpenCorporates | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026060227/https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_ca/C1175250 | archivedate=October 26, 2022}}