Get Your Retrocomputing Fix in an Altoids Tin with a Z80 Membership Card

For a certain type of geek, there is something extremely appealing about retrocomputing. Reliving, or experiencing for the first time, what…

Cameron Coward
7 years ago

For a certain type of geek, there is something extremely appealing about retrocomputing. Reliving, or experiencing for the first time, what the early days of personal computers were like can be fascinating. While our current computers are a wonder of modern technology, the limitations of early computers lend themselves towards thinking about computing in a whole new way. It can be thrilling to experience for yourself what can be done with so little power (by modern standards), and that you don’t need an 8-core 4GHz processor for everything.

There are a few ways to get started with retrocomputing, and the purest method is to just go out and buy yourself an old computer. But, as reliable as they were, electronics still fail. If you’re more interested in actually using the computer than hunting down blown capacitors, a modern reproduction is the way to go. There a few options for reproductions, but a Z80-based system is about as popular as it gets.

The Zilog Z80 8-bit microprocessor was one of the earliest and most popular microprocessors ever made. It was used in an incredibly wide range of products by a huge number of companies, and is therefore very well documented. This particular unit is a complete Z80 Membership Card microcomputer that fits in an Altoids tin, and uses parts that were commonly available in the ‘80s.

Even if you don’t want to actually purchase the Z80 Membership Card, the website is definitely worth a read. It’s a very entertaining story about early computing, and full of Easter eggs for those of you were are familiar with the early days of personal computers. If you do want to purchase one, it’ll cost you a mere $80 + shipping for a complete kit.

Cameron Coward
Writer for Hackster News. Proud husband and dog dad. Maker and serial hobbyist.
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