 The twin-Z80 Intertec SuperBrain | |
| Manufacturer | Intertec Data Systems |
|---|---|
| Type | microcomputer |
| Release date | 1979; 46 years ago (1979) |
| Operating system | CP/M |
| CPU | (2x)Z80 @ 4MHz |
| Memory | 64KBRAM 2 KBROM |
| Display | 80 x 25 character text; 12" monochrome CRT |
| Connectivity | TwoRS-232serial ports |
| Dimensions | H: 14-5/8" W: 21-3/8" D: 23-1/8" |
| Weight | 45 lb (20 kg) |
TheIntertec SuperBrain was an all-in-one commercialmicrocomputer that was first sold byIntertec Data Systems Corporation ofColumbia, South Carolina, USA in 1979. The machine ran the operating systemCP/M and was somewhat unusual in that it used dualZ80 CPUs, the second being used as adisk controller. In 1983, the basic machine sold for aboutUS$2,000 (equivalent to $6,310 in 2024).
There were several variants, including the SuperBrain II (released in 1982), SuperBrain II Jr., "QD" (quad density disk drives) and "SD" (super density) models.
Intertec also released a similar lookingdumb terminal, theIntertube, and smart terminal, theEmulator.
The SuperBrain is notable for being at the user end of the firstKermit connection in 1981.
The machine was practical and useful in the office environment, but somewhat limited until the arrival of the first 5MBhard drive in one of the floppy drive bays. This was soon replaced by the 10 MB hard drive.
Up to 255 CompuStar workstations could bedaisy-chained together via DC-37 "Chaining Adaptor"parallel ports to share the "central disk system" (one of the three hard drive peripheral options below). Each computer, or VPU (Video Processing Unit), was assigned a unique number from 1 to 255 by setting an eight-positionDIP switch.[1]
The brazilian companyPrológica introduced theSistema 700 in 1981, based on the SuperBrain and with similar characteristics.[2][3]
| Model Number | Processor | Disk Drives | Clock Speed | RAM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CompuStar 10 | Z80 | No drives (network device) | 4 MHz | 64 KB |
| Jr / CompuStar 20 | Z80 | 170 KB | 4 MHz | 64 KB |
| QD (Quad Density) / CompuStar 30 | Z80 | 340 KB | 4 MHz | 64 KB |
| SD (Super Density) / CompuStar 40 | Z80 | 780 KB | 4 MHz | 64 KB |
The Superbrain can be seen in two episodes ofKnight Rider: one in Season 1, Episode 10, "The Final Verdict" (1982), and the second in Season 1, Episode 18, "White Bird" (1983).[4]
In John Carpenter’sThe Thing, Dr. Blair uses a Superbrain to analyse samples from The Thing from which he estimates that it will take over the world in about three years.[4]
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