Max-80

{{Infobox computer

| Photo =

| Caption =

| Type = Personal computer

| Released = {{Start date and age|1982}}

| Discontinued =

| Processor = Zilog Z80-B @ 5.07MHz

| Memory = 64K, 128K max

| Media = External disk drive

| OS = LDOS and CP/M

| manufacturer = Lobo Systems

| display = Composite video out; 64x16 or 80x24 characters

| memory card = Floppy Disks

}}

The MAX-80 is a personal computer released in 1982 by Lobo Systems (formerly Lobo Drives International, a company from California).{{Cite web |title=The Lobo MAX-80 |url=http://www.trs-80.org/lobo-max-80/ |access-date=2023-03-27 |website=www.trs-80.org}}{{Cite web |title=LOBO DRIVES INTERNATIONAL |url=https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_ca/1022569 |access-date=2023-03-27 |website=opencorporates.com}} It differed from other TRS-80 compatible computers in that it was not hardware compatible with the TRS-80.{{Cite web | last = Reed | first = Matthew | title = The Lobo MAX-80 | url = http://www.trs-80.org/lobo-max-80/ | accessdate = 2010-11-24}}

Hardware

The MAX-80 featured a Zilog Z80-B CPU which ran at 5.07 MHz, a very fast speed for its time. It came standard with 64KB of RAM, and was expandable via sockets for a further 64KB.

The standard configuration originally consisted of a 64KB unit (later 128KB) and CP/M. The user could buy a complete system, or provide their own monitor and disk drives.

The floppy disk controller could handle 8-inch drives using the standard IBM 3740 format in single-sided or double-sided modes, as well as 5.25-inch floppy drives with up to 80 cylinders. The Max-80 included a hard disk interface and two RS-232 serial ports. The MAX-80's character generator was user programmable.

Software

Up to 95% of TRS-80 Model III software would function without modification on the MAX-80. This did not include games. The special version of LDOS used was able to run most Model III programs with a patch disk available for those, such as VisiCalc, which it couldn't. The CP/M operating system was offered as well.

A patched version of the TRS-80 Model 4's LS-DOS 6.x operating system was later made available for the MAX-80. This was called MAXDOS.{{r|trs80}}

Community

A users' group called MAXIMUL published a MAX-80 newsletter.{{r|pournelle198309}} MAXIMUL actually outlived Lobo Systems, lasting until 1989.

Reception

Jerry Pournelle wrote in September 1983 that if the Max-80 came with more bundled software "it would be a strong contender for the best deal in microcomputerland. As it is, it's a lot of machine for the money". He recommended that customers join Maximul.{{Cite magazine |last=Pournelle |first=Jerry |author-link=Jerry Pournelle |date=September 1983 |title=Eagles, Text Editors, New Compilers, and Much More |url=https://archive.org/details/byte-magazine-1983-09/page/n321 |magazine=BYTE |page=307 |access-date=2019-04-07}}

References

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