"Microscribe is a general-purpose, miniature terminal that's equally at home in the office, on site, at home — or on the move. It's stylish, compact and lightweight. Superb ergonomic design makes it very easy to use. And inside that neat exterior, there's a formidable array of powerful features.

Microscribe works just like any other terminal, with keyboard input and visual display output. The big difference is that where other terminals dominate the work surface, Microscribe is little larger than a textbook. It can even fit easily into a briefcase. Yet it is rugged enough to stand up to everyday use in industrial applications. It uses the industry standard RS232 serial interface protocol, so it can communicate with virtually any host computer or peripheral either directly or via modems or acoustic couplers. A battery operated version using low-power CMOS technology is ideal for field or mobile use, acting as an electronic notebook or data capture device. For dedicated applications, where the terminal is permanently linked to and powered from a host computer there is a standard low cost NMOS version. An optional AC adapter provides power and can act as a charger for the battery versions.

Microscribe gives a single line display of 16, 32 or 40 alphanumeric characters with true descenders. Special control circuitry in the battery-powered models ensures that the contrast ratio of the display remains constant during the full discharge curve of the battery.

The keyboard is microprocessor controlled, and each key has full travel and tactile response, with selectable audio feedback. It is designed for years of trouble-free operation — the switch pads, for example, are made of pure gold. Setting up the terminal to suit a particular role is carried out interactively via the keyboard, and a range of preprogrammed function keys simplifies frequently-used operations.

Superb styling, careful ergonomics and innovative electronic design makes Microscribe the ideal terminal for today's industrial and commercial computer systems. Its size and power brings new dimensions to applications hitherto considered impractical for reasons of cost, environment or space."

Our unit was very kindly donated by Mike Voss.

Manufacturer: Terminal Technology
Date: December 1983

This exhibit has a reference ID of CH50252. Please quote this reference ID in any communication with the Centre for Computing History.