Sord IS-11
Encyclopedia
The Sord IS-11 was an A4-size, lightweight, portable
Z80
-based computer
. The IS-11 ('IS' stands for 'Integrated Software') had no operating system
, but came with built-in word processing
, spreadsheet
, file manager and communication software.
The machine was manufactured by Sord Computer Corporation
and released in 1983. It was later followed by the IS-11B and IS-11C.
version of the Z80A running at 3.4 MHz
with 32-64 KiB
NVRAM
and 64 KiB ROM
. The monochrome non-back-lit
LCD
screen allowed for 40 characters
x 8 lines or 256 x 64 pixel
s. Data was stored on built-in microcassette
recorder (128kb, 2000 baud).
Portable computer
A portable computer is a computer that is designed to be moved from one place to another and includes a display and keyboard. Portable computers, by their nature, are generally microcomputers. Portable computers, because of their size, are also commonly known as 'Lunchbox' or 'Luggable' computers...
Z80
Zilog Z80
The 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...
-based computer
Computer
A computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...
. The IS-11 ('IS' stands for 'Integrated Software') had no operating system
Operating system
An operating system is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system...
, but came with built-in word processing
Word processing
Word processing is the creation of documents using a word processor. It can also refer to advanced shorthand techniques, sometimes used in specialized contexts with a specially modified typewriter.-External links:...
, spreadsheet
Spreadsheet
A spreadsheet is a computer application that simulates a paper accounting worksheet. It displays multiple cells usually in a two-dimensional matrix or grid consisting of rows and columns. Each cell contains alphanumeric text, numeric values or formulas...
, file manager and communication software.
The machine was manufactured by Sord Computer Corporation
Sord Computer Corporation
Sord Computer Corporation was a Japanese electronics company, founded in 1970 by the entrepreneur Takayoshi Shiina.- History :In the 1980s, Sord was known for 8-bit home computers...
and released in 1983. It was later followed by the IS-11B and IS-11C.
Technical description
The IS-11 had a CMOSCMOS
Complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor is a technology for constructing integrated circuits. CMOS technology is used in microprocessors, microcontrollers, static RAM, and other digital logic circuits...
version of the Z80A running at 3.4 MHz
Hertz
The hertz is the SI unit of frequency defined as the number of cycles per second of a periodic phenomenon. One of its most common uses is the description of the sine wave, particularly those used in radio and audio applications....
with 32-64 KiB
Kibibyte
The kibibyte is a multiple of the unit byte for quantities of digital information. The binary prefix kibi means 1024; therefore, 1 kibibyte is . The unit symbol for the kibibyte is KiB. The unit was established by the International Electrotechnical Commission in 1999 and has been accepted for use...
NVRAM
NVRAM
Non-volatile random-access memory is random-access memory that retains its information when power is turned off, which is described technically as being non-volatile...
and 64 KiB 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...
. The monochrome non-back-lit
Backlight
A backlight is a form of illumination used in liquid crystal displays . As LCDs do not produce light themselves , they need illumination to produce a visible image...
LCD
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display is a flat panel display, electronic visual display, or video display that uses the light modulating properties of liquid crystals . LCs do not emit light directly....
screen allowed for 40 characters
Character (computing)
In computer and machine-based telecommunications terminology, a character is a unit of information that roughly corresponds to a grapheme, grapheme-like unit, or symbol, such as in an alphabet or syllabary in the written form of a natural language....
x 8 lines or 256 x 64 pixel
Pixel
In digital imaging, a pixel, or pel, is a single point in a raster image, or the smallest addressable screen element in a display device; it is the smallest unit of picture that can be represented or controlled....
s. Data was stored on built-in microcassette
Microcassette
A Microcassette is an audio storage medium introduced by Olympus in 1969. It uses the same width of magnetic tape as the Compact Cassette but in a much smaller container. By using thinner tape and half or a quarter the tape speed, microcassettes can offer comparable recording time to the compact...
recorder (128kb, 2000 baud).
External links
- Sord IS-11 at Obsolete Technology website
- Sord IS-11 at old-computers.com
- Sord IS-11 at The Machine Room
- Sord IS-11C