Intertec Superbrain

Intertec SuperBrain

The twin-Z80 Intertec SuperBrain.
Manufacturer	Intertec Data Systems Corp.
Type	microcomputer
Release date	1979; 43 years ago (1979)
Operating system	CP/M
CPU	(2x) Z80 @ 4 MHz
Memory	64 KB
Display	12" monochrome
Dimensions	H: 14-5/8" W: 21-3/8" D: 23-1/8"
Mass	45 lb (20 kg)

The Intertec SuperBrain was an all-in-one commercial microcomputer that was first sold by Intertec Data Systems Corp. of Columbia, South Carolina, USA in 1979. The machine ran the operating system CP/M and was somewhat unusual in that it used dual Z80 CPUs, the second being used as a disk controller. In 1983, the basic machine sold for about US$2,000 (equivalent to $5,200 in 2020).

There were several variants, including the SuperBrain II, SuperBrain II Jr., "QD" (quad density disk drives) and "SD" (super density) models. Intertec also released a similar looking dumb terminal, the Intertube, and smart terminal, the Emulator.

The SuperBrain is notable for being at the user end of the first Kermit connection in 1981.

The machine was practical and useful in the office environment, but somewhat limited until the arrival of the first 5 MB hard drive in one of the floppy drive bays. This was soon replaced by the 10 MB hard drive that effectively removed all limitations on what could be programmed and stored.

Specifications[]

Peripherals[]

• CompuStar DSS-10 10 MB Hard Drive (CompuStar Disk Storage System)
• CDC 96 MB Hard Drive (80 MB fixed disk with 16 MB removable platter)
• Priam 14" 144 MB Hard Drive

Applications[]

• Microsoft Basic
• 8080 Assembler
• Microsoft COBOL 74
• APL

External links[]

• Intertec SuperBrain DAVES OLD COMPUTERS
• Superbrain at Old Computer Museum
• Marcus Bennett's Superbrain documentation
• Video walkthrough of restored unit on YouTube

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