---
title: IMSAI VDP 80
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Professional Computer
origins:
- U.S.A.
years:
- '1977'
cpus:
- Intel 8085
params:
  name: VDP 80
  image: /media/museum/photos/imsai_vdp80_1.jpg
  company: /companies/imsai
  company_name: IMSAI
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: VDP 80
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: IMSAI
  - label: TYPE
    value: Professional Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: U.S.A.
  - label: YEAR
    value: '1977'
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: None
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: Full stroke keyboard
  - label: CPU
    value: Intel 8085
  - label: SPEED
    value: 3 MHz
  - label: RAM
    value: 48 or 64 KB
  - label: ROM
    value: Bios'es were located on the VIO-C video card and the DIO-C floppy controller
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 80 x 24 (with inverse video and 256 programmable characters)
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: None
  - label: COLORS
    value: Monochrome
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: 55 kg (121 lbs)
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: Parallel port - Serial port (asynch/synch, programmable from 0.05 to 56 Kbauds)
  - label: BUILT IN MEDIA
    value: Two PERSCI 8
  - label: OS
    value: CP/M 1.4 to 2.2
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: Built-in power supply unit
  - label: PRICE
    value: between $9,995 and $12,995, depending on RAM and FDD configuration
  tabs:
  - photos
  forum_thread: 347
  photos:
  - title: THE VDP 80 AND ITS PERIPHERALS
    subtitle: ''
    text: The VDP 80 supports up to 6 terminals or modems and four drive tapes.
    image: /media/museum/photos/imsai2.jpg
  - title: WOMAN USING A VDP-80
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/imsai_vdp80_pub_1.jpg
  oc_id: 343
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230401021936/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=343
    date: '2023-04-01'
---

The IMSAI VDP-80 was the first commercially succesful business computer, accounting for almost 50% of the store sales where I worked at the time.

It was delived with 48 KB or 64 KB of RAM, and newer systems offered the Persci 299, double-sided, double density floppy drives. Both models of Persci (277 or 299) were a dual drive with a shared voice coil positioner in the center.

The primary CP/M applications were Electric Pencil or Wordstar which made them a hit in law offices. FMS-80 (database), Supercalc (spreadsheet) and Accounting Plus were also used.

Several languages were also available for this computer : BASIC (with compiler) and Fortran IV level 2 ANSI compiler.

These units were the first used by the Alexandria Police department to automate their booking and arrest database in 1978.

---

**Douro** says :\
This computer had a very simplified design; it was built around the Intel 8085. This processor contains the complete 8080 core and additional glue logic (i.e. the clock chip). The 8085 performed five times faster than the 8080 due to its smaller transistor size and the use of very large scale integration (VLSI). The CMOS version of this chip was the Oki 80C85, and the EPROM version was the 8075.

<table> <tr> <td></td> <td>We need more info about this computer ! If you designed, used, or have more info about this system, please send us pictures or anything you might find useful.</td> <td></td> </tr> </table>