Cromemco Advert - April 1977
From Byte - The Small Systems Journal
Cromemco Z-2: Meet the most powerful μC system available for dedicated work
Just a few months after Crommeco's Z-1 Z-80-based micro comes the update in the shape of the Z-2. Only there doesn't seem to be that much updated - it still runs the same 4MHz Z-80 microprocessor, or μP as Cromemco seemed to like saying, with a similar number of S-100 bus slots.
There's no mention of memory, so that was probably an "optional extra", but otherwise the biggest difference is that the Z-2 lacks the switches and indicator lights of its predecessor - making it "tamper proof", which apparently meant no more "accidental program changes or surprise memory erasures". On the downside, it would mean that it was now essential to buy a terminal - at extra cost - to talk to the Z-2 in order to do anything with it.
The kit version of the Z-2 retailed for $595, or about £3,230 in 2024. However it must have required quite a lot of assembly, as the pre-built version - the Z-2W - cost nearly twice as much at $995 or £5,350 now.
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