| Feature | Detail | |---------|--------| | | Z80A (4-6 MHz) + Intel 8086 (8 MHz) | | Bus | S-100 / IEEE 696 | | RAM | 64KB – 16MB (bank-switched) | | Storage | Dual 5.25" floppy + optional MFM/RLL hard drive | | OS | CP/M 2.2/3.0, CP/M-86, Concurrent CP/M-86, MP/M-86 | | I/O | RS-232 serial, Centronics parallel | | Year introduced | 1982 | | Base price | ~$4,000 (without drives/terminal) |
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Introduction In the early 1980s, the microcomputer industry was in a state of flux. The dominant 8-bit CP/M operating system and its Z80 processor were being challenged by the emerging 16-bit processors, particularly the Intel 8086. Users faced a painful choice: stick with the vast software library of CP/M or leap to the raw power of 16-bit computing. The CompuPro System 8/16, released in 1982 by CompuPro (a division of Godbout Electronics), offered a radical third path: a true dual-processor machine that could run both 8-bit and 16-bit software natively, often simultaneously. It remains one of the most sophisticated S-100 bus computers ever built. Historical Context & Manufacturer CompuPro, based in Hayward, California, was legendary among S-100 enthusiasts. Founded by Bill Godbout and later led by the brilliant engineer George Morrow (though Morrow left before CompuPro's peak), the company was known for producing industrial-grade, no-compromise S-100 boards and systems. Unlike the hobbyist-oriented IMSAI or the consumer-focused Apple II, CompuPro targeted engineers, scientists, and serious business users who needed reliability, speed, and expandability. compupro system 8 16 computer
