Date   : Mon, 23 Jun 1986 09:32:00 EST
From   : RLH <HAAR%RCSMPA%gmr.com@CSNET-RELAY.ARPA>
Subject: Re: HD64180 info req.

Ken Brookner requested info on HD64180 systems. I know of two types:

Steve Ciarcia (of BYTE fame) thru the Circuit Cellar offers a single 
board computer with HD64180, 256K RAM, floppy controller, etc. for $369,
with Z-System software for $499. There are a couple of add-on boards with
modem/voice communications and SCSI interface available.

There are a couple of companies offering S-100 bus boards with similar
capabilities as well as access to other S-100 boards for additional
hardware capabilities.

As far as software, you could also run CP/M since the HD64180 executes
Z80 machine code directly. The HD64180 would be a natural for CP/M 3.0
since it's extended addressing fits CP/M's idea of banked memory quite
well. For those with a little more adventurous spirits, I would 
recommend using the Z-system instead. It consists of ZCPR, a replacement
for CP/M's CCP that can be used with a slightly modified CP/M BIOS, and
ZRDOS, a complete replacement for the CP/M BDOS/BIOS. Z-system currently
offers a number of nice features over CP/M. There are some new versions
coming out that support banked memory and multi-tasking on the HD64180.
(If anyone from Echelon is listening, would comment on availablity dates?)
One of the big advantages of the Z-system is the large and continually
growing collection of utility programs that take advantage of it's special
features. And, as you might have gathered, it is alive and well with
committed support, unlike CP/M's death under Digital Research.


                       Bob Haar

[usual disclaimer == these opinions are purely my own personal ones, not
that of my employer, my wife and kids, or the guinea pig.]