Zenith Data Systems

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Zenith Data Systems (ZDS) was a division of Zenith founded in 1979 after Zenith acquired Heathkit, who had, at that time, recently entered the personal computer market. Headquartered in Benton Harbor, Michigan, Zenith sold personal computers under both the Heath/Zenith and Zenith Data Systems names. Zenith was an early partner with Microsoft, licensing all Microsoft languages for the Heath/Zenith 8-bit computers. Conversely, Microsoft programmers of the early 80s did much of their work using Zenith Z-29 CRT display terminals hooked to central mainframe computers. The early Heath/Zenith computers were based on the Z80 processor and ran either HDOS or CP/M operating systems.

In October of 1989 Zenith's computer division was acquired by the French company Groupe Bull, which continued to sell personal computers under the Zenith Data Systems name until 1996 when Zenith Data Systems merged with Packard Bell and NEC, creating the company Packard Bell NEC Inc. 
 

Hardware Products

Zenith Data Systems 3.5-inch Floppy Disk Drive

Zenith Data Systems 3.5-inch Floppy Disk Drive
Unknown
This Zenith Data Systems 3.5-inch floppy disk drive was a peripheral for the Zenith MinisPort laptop. The laptop came with a built-in 2-inch floppy disk drive, as well as a port for the 3.5-inch disk...

Manufacturer : Zenith Data Systems
Type : Peripheral

Zenith Z 207-41 - 8-inch Disk Drive

Zenith Z 207-41 - 8-inch Disk Drive
Unknown
8-inch Disk Drive for the Zenith Z-100 PC Computer.

Manufacturer : Zenith Data Systems
Type : Peripheral

Zenith Z-100

Zenith Z-100
1982
The Zenith Data Systems Z-100 was a pre-assembled version of the Heathkit H100 electronic kit.

Manufacturer : Zenith Data Systems
Type : Computer

Zenith ZFL-171-42 Portable

Zenith ZFL-171-42 Portable
May 1985
The Z-171 portable personal computer is a lightweight, briefcase-sized computer designed for personal or business computing needs.

Manufacturer : Zenith Data Systems
Type : Computer

Zenith ZFL-181-93 Laptop

Zenith ZFL-181-93 Laptop
1987
The Zenith ZFL-181-93 was quite a practical laptop having two 'pop-up' 3.

Manufacturer : Zenith Data Systems
Type : Computer

Zenith  Laptop Computer ZWL-183-92

Zenith Laptop Computer ZWL-183-92
1987
Zenith pioneered the laptop computer market in 1985, with "lunchbox" portable computer Z-171, the first MS-DOS based small portable computer fit with two 5"1/4 floppy disks and blue LCD screen.

Manufacturer : Zenith Data Systems
Type : Computer

Zenith TurboSport 386

Zenith TurboSport 386
1988
Weighing only 26 pounds, the Zenith TurboSport 386 was one of the the first true battery-powered portables - as opposed to the 'luggable' systems that still required mains power.

Manufacturer : Zenith Data Systems
Type : Computer

Zenith MinisPort Laptop

Zenith MinisPort Laptop
1989
The Zenith MinisPort was a notebook-sized laptop released in 1989.

Manufacturer : Zenith Data Systems
Type : Computer

Zenith Supersport SX

Zenith Supersport SX
January 1989
Zenith Data Systems (ZDS) was a division of Zenith founded in 1979 after Zenith acquired Heathkit, who had, in 1977, entered the personal computer market.

Manufacturer : Zenith Data Systems
Type : Computer

Zenith Supersport

Zenith Supersport
January 1989
Zenith Data Systems (ZDS) was a division of Zenith founded in 1979 after Zenith acquired Heathkit, who had, in 1977, entered the personal computer market.

Manufacturer : Zenith Data Systems
Type : Computer

Zenith MasterSport 386SL

Zenith MasterSport 386SL
1992
This Zenith Data Systems laptop uses Intel's 20MHz 80386SL processor and comes with 2MB fixed RAM, upgradable to 8MB.

Manufacturer : Zenith Data Systems
Type : Computer

Zenith MasterSport 386SLe

Zenith MasterSport 386SLe
1992
The Zenith Data Systems MasterSport 386SLe is similar to the 386SL version, except it features the slightly faster 25MHz version of the 386SL processor and an enhanced parallel port (EPP).

Manufacturer : Zenith Data Systems
Type : Computer

Zenith MasterSport 386SX

Zenith MasterSport 386SX
January 1992
Zenith MasterSport 386SX is a notebook computer.

Manufacturer : Zenith Data Systems
Type : Computer


Software Products

Microsoft Windows 2.11 Zenith

Microsoft Windows 2.11 Zenith
1983
...

Manufacturer : Zenith data Systems
Type : Software

Microsoft Windows 2.0 and Zenith Video Drivers (Zenith)

Microsoft Windows 2.0 and Zenith Video Drivers (Zenith)
1988
This package contains Microsoft Windows 2.

Manufacturer : Zenith Data Systems
Type : Software

Microsoft Windows 3.0 Zenith

Microsoft Windows 3.0 Zenith
1990
...

Manufacturer : Zenith data Systems
Type : Software


Promotional Items

Zenith Data Systems Promotional Pin Badge

Zenith Data Systems Promotional Pin Badge
Unknown
Yellow 3.75cm diameter pin badge with a cartoon of a person loving their Zenith computer, and featuring the Zenith Data Systems logo....

Manufacturer : Zenith Data Systems
Type : Promotional Item


Magazine Articles About Zenith Data Systems

 

Zenith Data Systems

 

 

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