Humdinger (computer)

Humdinger Color Computer

Manufacturer	Venture Micro, Inc
Type	Home computer
Release date	1983; 41 years ago (1983)
Introductory price	US$129.95
CPU	Zilog Z80
Memory	4 KB expandable to 64 KB
Removable storage	Cartridge
Display	256×192 pixels, 8 colors
Sound	4 channels, 5 octaves
Connectivity	Joystick port, Centronics, RS-232,

The Humdinger Color Computer was an 8-bit home computer introduced in 1983 by Venture Micro, Inc., of Cupertino, California.^[1]

It had the following specifications:^[2]: 184

• Zilog Z80 microprocessor
• 4 KB of main memory (expandable to 64 KB)
• 58-key, chiclet-style keyboard with rubber keys
• A 256×192 pixel, 8 color display with 12 modes
• 4 channel, 5 octaves sound^[3]
• Centronics parallel printer interface
• RS-232 serial port
• Joystick port
• Cartridge port

The original retail price was US$129.95.^[4]: 54 It made its first appearance at the eighth annual West Coast Computer Faire, held from March 18 to March 20, 1983.^[3] It was released to retailers in the United States in mid-May 1983.^[5][6][1] Intended as a ZX Spectrum killer,^[7] the Humdinger computer proved short-lived in the marketplace, as Venture Micro dissolved in 1984.^[8]

References

1. "Humdinger on the way" (PDF). Home Computing Weekly. No. 4. March 29, 1983. pp. 1, 5.
2. Ahl, David H. (June 1983). "The 8th West Coast Computer Faire, San Francisco, March 18–20, 1983". Creative Computing. 9 (6). Ziff-Davis: 180–190 – via the Internet Archive.
3. Hartnell, Tim (June 1983). "Stateside". ZX Computing. 1 (7). Argus Specialist Publications: 54.
4. Desposito, Joe (June 1983). "In This Corner..." (PDF). Computers & Electronics. 21 (6). Ziff-Davis: 48–54. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 31, 2020 – via World Radio History.
5. Kancitis, Shelley (May 11, 1983). "Best to Research Before Shopping for Computers". Lakeside Review: 5 – via Newspapers.com.
6. Staff writer (July 1983). "9th West Coast Computer Faire Exhibitors". Silicon Gulch Gazette (37): 23 – via the Internet Archive.
7. Kewney, Guy (April 8, 1983). "California Faire remains micro mecca". Personal Computer News. 1 (4). VNU Business Publications: 4 – via the Internet Archive.
8. "Venture Micro, Inc". OpenCorporates. n.d. Archived from the original on October 26, 2022.