Osborne Executive
Encyclopedia
The Osborne Executive was the planned successor of the already commercially successful Osborne 1
portable computer by Osborne Computer Corporation
. The Executive was a collection of the good features from the Osborne 1 and fixed some of its predecessor's flaws.
The Osborne Executive, like the Osborne 1, came with application software
. The WordStar
word processor
, SuperCalc
spreadsheet, and the CBASIC
and MBASIC programming languages—all software packages that were the leading applications in their respective niches at the time—had a retail value of more than $2495.
The disk drives and built-in 7 inch amber CRT were covered by the keyboard when snapped on to the main case for transportation. Like the Osborne 1, the Executive could be supported by the keyboard at a convenient viewing angle.
The Executive included a cooling fan
, unlike the Osborne 1.
version 3.0. A complete listing of the ROM
BIOS
was available in the Osborne technical manual. Unlike version 2.2, this edition of CP/M supported bank switching
memory; this allowed compatible programs to use more RAM. The UCSD P-system
was also available.
Many CP/M systems of the time could not read diskettes formatted for any other brand (sometimes, for other models of the same brand) without using third-party special purpose interchange software. This built-in feature provided a useful amount of flexibility in exchanging data with other systems.
The Executive could also emulate certain models of computer terminal
, which was useful for dial-up access to remote systems.
or TCO
presentations commonplace today.
A number of Executives had custom ROM's which were personalised when booted, name plates were also etched onto the casing.
The Executive was only produced in limited numbers compared to the predecessor Osborne 1, before the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
. The financial problems of the Osborne company were aggravated by early announcement of the Executive, which cut into sales of the Osborne. This so-called Osborne effect
has become proverbial as a mistake that can be made by companies trading in high-technology products.
The company had announced yet another successor product, the Osborne Vixen
, the company went out of business before the Vixen could be established. An Osborne Executive II, using an 8088 processor, and providing MS DOS and IBM PC compatibility, was announced but never produced.
The Osborne Executive was powered by a wall plug
, and had no internal battery, although an aftermarket battery pack offering 1-hour run time was available.
Osborne 1
The Osborne 1 was the first commercially successful portable microcomputer, released on April 3, 1981 by Osborne Computer Corporation. It weighed 10.7 kg , cost USD$ 1795, and ran the then-popular CP/M 2.2 operating system...
portable computer by Osborne Computer Corporation
Osborne Computer Corporation
The Osborne Computer Corporation was a pioneering maker of portable computers.-The Osborne 1:After Adam Osborne sold his computer book-publishing company to McGraw-Hill in 1979, he decided to sell an inexpensive portable computer with bundled software and hired Lee Felsenstein to design it...
. The Executive was a collection of the good features from the Osborne 1 and fixed some of its predecessor's flaws.
The Osborne Executive, like the Osborne 1, came with application software
Application software
Application software, also known as an application or an "app", is computer software designed to help the user to perform specific tasks. Examples include enterprise software, accounting software, office suites, graphics software and media players. Many application programs deal principally with...
. The WordStar
WordStar
WordStar is a word processor application, published by MicroPro International, originally written for the CP/M operating system but later ported to DOS, that enjoyed a dominant market share during the early to mid-1980s. Although Seymour I...
word processor
Word processor
A word processor is a computer application used for the production of any sort of printable material....
, SuperCalc
SuperCalc
SuperCalc was a spreadsheet application published by Sorcim in 1980, and originally bundled as part of the CP/M software package included with the Osborne 1 portable computer....
spreadsheet, and the CBASIC
CBASIC
CBASIC is a compiled version of the BASIC programming language written for the CP/M operating system by Gordon Eubanks in 1976–77. It is an enhanced version of BASIC-E, his master's thesis project.-History:...
and MBASIC programming languages—all software packages that were the leading applications in their respective niches at the time—had a retail value of more than $2495.
The disk drives and built-in 7 inch amber CRT were covered by the keyboard when snapped on to the main case for transportation. Like the Osborne 1, the Executive could be supported by the keyboard at a convenient viewing angle.
The Executive included a cooling fan
Computer cooling
Computer cooling is required to remove the waste heat produced by computer components, to keep components within their safe operating temperature limits.Various cooling methods help to improve processor performance or reduce the noise of cooling fans....
, unlike the Osborne 1.
Software
The operating system was CP/MCP/M
CP/M was a mass-market operating system created for Intel 8080/85 based microcomputers by Gary Kildall of Digital Research, Inc...
version 3.0. A complete listing of the ROM
Read-only memory
Read-only memory is a class of storage medium used in computers and other electronic devices. Data stored in ROM cannot be modified, or can be modified only slowly or with difficulty, so it is mainly used to distribute firmware .In its strictest sense, ROM refers only...
BIOS
BIOS
In IBM PC compatible computers, the basic input/output system , also known as the System BIOS or ROM BIOS , is a de facto standard defining a firmware interface....
was available in the Osborne technical manual. Unlike version 2.2, this edition of CP/M supported bank switching
Bank switching
Bank switching is a technique to increase the amount of usable memory beyond the amount directly addressable by the processor. It can be used to configure a system differently at different times; for example, a ROM required to start a system from diskette could be switched out when no longer...
memory; this allowed compatible programs to use more RAM. The UCSD P-system
UCSD Pascal
UCSD Pascal was a Pascal programming language system that ran on the UCSD p-System, a portable, highly machine-independent operating system. UCSD Pascal was first released in 1978...
was also available.
| Program Name | Version | Published by | Program Type | Date | Part Number | Number of Disks |
Picture |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desolation | B.C Software Barry Campbell |
Game | 1984 | 1 | |||
| Wordstar | 3.3 | Application | |||||
| Supercalc | 1.12 | Application | |||||
| Personal Pearl | Application/Database |
Compatibility
The CP/M BIOS of the Executive could automatically detect and use single-sided disks formatted in the following systems:- Osborne 1Osborne 1The Osborne 1 was the first commercially successful portable microcomputer, released on April 3, 1981 by Osborne Computer Corporation. It weighed 10.7 kg , cost USD$ 1795, and ran the then-popular CP/M 2.2 operating system...
- IBM PCIBM PCThe IBM Personal Computer, commonly known as the IBM PC, is the original version and progenitor of the IBM PC compatible hardware platform. It is IBM model number 5150, and was introduced on August 12, 1981...
running CP/M 86 - DEC VT 180VT180The VT180 was a video terminal produced by Digital Equipment Corporation of Maynard, Massachusetts.An extension of their existing line of VT100 terminals, this version integrated a Z80 microprocessor and two external 5.25-inch floppy disk drives...
- Xerox 820Xerox 820The Xerox 820 was an 8-bit desktop computer sold by Xerox in the early 1980s. The computer ran under the CP/M operating system and used floppy disk drives for mass storage...
Many CP/M systems of the time could not read diskettes formatted for any other brand (sometimes, for other models of the same brand) without using third-party special purpose interchange software. This built-in feature provided a useful amount of flexibility in exchanging data with other systems.
The Executive could also emulate certain models of computer terminal
Computer terminal
A computer terminal is an electronic or electromechanical hardware device that is used for entering data into, and displaying data from, a computer or a computing system...
, which was useful for dial-up access to remote systems.
- VT100VT100The VT100 is a video terminal that was made by Digital Equipment Corporation . Its detailed attributes became the de facto standard for terminal emulators.-History:...
- ADM-3AADM-3AThe ADM-3A was one of the first computer terminals manufactured by Lear Siegler, first produced in 1975. It had a 12 inch screen displaying 12 or 24 lines of 80 characters.- Details :Originally priced at $1195, a DIY kit later sold for $995...
- HazeltineHazeltineHazeltine may refer to:*Ira Sherwin Hazeltine, American politician*Louis Alan Hazeltine, developer of the Neutrodyne receiver.*Hazeltine Corporation, the company which marketed the Neutrodyne and other electronic equipment.*Hazeltine National Golf Club....
- Hewlett-PackardHewlett-PackardHewlett-Packard Company or HP is an American multinational information technology corporation headquartered in Palo Alto, California, USA that provides products, technologies, softwares, solutions and services to consumers, small- and medium-sized businesses and large enterprises, including...
Use
The Osborne Executive was useful for presentations and projects at client sites. Unlike static presentations, the portable computer could provide on-the-spot answers to numerical questions when working with consulting clients. This laid the groundwork for the kind of 'show me the money' ROIRate of return
In finance, rate of return , also known as return on investment , rate of profit or sometimes just return, is the ratio of money gained or lost on an investment relative to the amount of money invested. The amount of money gained or lost may be referred to as interest, profit/loss, gain/loss, or...
or TCO
Total cost of ownership
Total cost of ownership is a financial estimate whose purpose is to help consumers and enterprise managers determine direct and indirect costs of a product or system...
presentations commonplace today.
A number of Executives had custom ROM's which were personalised when booted, name plates were also etched onto the casing.
The Executive was only produced in limited numbers compared to the predecessor Osborne 1, before the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
Chapter 11, Title 11, United States Code
Chapter 11 is a chapter of the United States Bankruptcy Code, which permits reorganization under the bankruptcy laws of the United States. Chapter 11 bankruptcy is available to every business, whether organized as a corporation or sole proprietorship, and to individuals, although it is most...
. The financial problems of the Osborne company were aggravated by early announcement of the Executive, which cut into sales of the Osborne. This so-called Osborne effect
Osborne effect
The Osborne effect is a term referring to the unintended consequence of the announcement of a future product ahead of its availability and its impact upon the sales of the current product....
has become proverbial as a mistake that can be made by companies trading in high-technology products.
The company had announced yet another successor product, the Osborne Vixen
Osborne Vixen
The Osborne Vixen was a "luggable" portable computer announced by the Osborne Computer Corporation in November 1984, as a follow up to their Osborne 1 and Osborne Executive system....
, the company went out of business before the Vixen could be established. An Osborne Executive II, using an 8088 processor, and providing MS DOS and IBM PC compatibility, was announced but never produced.
Features
- Dual half-height 5¼-inch, single-sided double-density 40 track floppy diskFloppy diskA floppy disk is a disk storage medium composed of a disk of thin and flexible magnetic storage medium, sealed in a rectangular plastic carrier lined with fabric that removes dust particles...
drives - 4 MHz Z80Zilog Z80The Zilog Z80 is an 8-bit microprocessor designed by Zilog and sold from July 1976 onwards. It was widely used both in desktop and embedded computer designs as well as for military purposes...
CPUCentral processing unitThe central processing unit is the portion of a computer system that carries out the instructions of a computer program, to perform the basic arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations of the system. The CPU plays a role somewhat analogous to the brain in the computer. The term has been in... - 124 kilobyteKilobyteThe kilobyte is a multiple of the unit byte for digital information. Although the prefix kilo- means 1000, the term kilobyte and symbol KB have historically been used to refer to either 1024 bytes or 1000 bytes, dependent upon context, in the fields of computer science and information...
s main memory - Fold-down keyboardComputer keyboardIn computing, a keyboard is a typewriter-style keyboard, which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys, to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches...
doubling as the computer case's lid - 7-inch, 80 character × 24 line amber monochromeMonochromeMonochrome describes paintings, drawings, design, or photographs in one color or shades of one color. A monochromatic object or image has colors in shades of limited colors or hues. Images using only shades of grey are called grayscale or black-and-white...
CRTCathode ray tubeThe cathode ray tube is a vacuum tube containing an electron gun and a fluorescent screen used to view images. It has a means to accelerate and deflect the electron beam onto the fluorescent screen to create the images. The image may represent electrical waveforms , pictures , radar targets and...
display - IEEE-488IEEE-488IEEE-488 is a short-range digital communications bus specification. It was created for use with automated test equipment in the late 1960s, and is still in use for that purpose. IEEE-488 was created as HP-IB , and is commonly called GPIB...
port configurable as a ParallelParallel portA parallel port is a type of interface found on computers for connecting various peripherals. In computing, a parallel port is a parallel communication physical interface. It is also known as a printer port or Centronics port...
printerComputer printerIn computing, a printer is a peripheral which produces a text or graphics of documents stored in electronic form, usually on physical print media such as paper or transparencies. Many printers are primarily used as local peripherals, and are attached by a printer cable or, in most new printers, a...
port - RS-232RS-232In telecommunications, RS-232 is the traditional name for a series of standards for serial binary single-ended data and control signals connecting between a DTE and a DCE . It is commonly used in computer serial ports...
compatible 1200 or 300 baud Serial portSerial portIn computing, a serial port is a serial communication physical interface through which information transfers in or out one bit at a time...
for use with external modemModemA modem is a device that modulates an analog carrier signal to encode digital information, and also demodulates such a carrier signal to decode the transmitted information. The goal is to produce a signal that can be transmitted easily and decoded to reproduce the original digital data...
s or serial printers
The Osborne Executive was powered by a wall plug
Mains electricity
Mains is the general-purpose alternating current electric power supply. In the US, electric power is referred to by several names including household power, household electricity, powerline, domestic power, wall power, line power, AC power, city power, street power, and grid power...
, and had no internal battery, although an aftermarket battery pack offering 1-hour run time was available.
Size
- Width: 20.5 inches (52.1 cm)
- Height: 9 inches (22.9 cm)
- Depth: 13 inches (33 cm)
- Weight 28 lbs