---
title: COMPUTER DEVICES INCORPORATED DOT
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Pocket
origins:
- U.S.A.
years:
- '1983'
cpus:
- Intel 8088
params:
  name: DOT
  image: /media/museum/photos/dot_computer.jpg
  company: /companies/computer-devices-incorporated
  company_name: COMPUTER DEVICES INCORPORATED
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: DOT
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: Computer Devices Incorporated
  - label: TYPE
    value: Pocket
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: U.S.A.
  - label: YEAR
    value: may 1983
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: None
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: Full-stroke 89 keys with numeric keypad and 10 function keys
  - label: CPU
    value: Intel 8088 (16-bit cpu)
  - label: SPEED
    value: 5 Mhz
  - label: CO-PROCESSOR
    value: optional Intel 8087 math co-processor, optional Z80 board for CP/M compatibility
  - label: RAM
    value: 64 KB or 128KB of main user RAM expandable to 256KB on a single board (optional 64K OEM unit). Up to 704KB of main memory with an expander board. 2KB of static RAM memory for terminal configuration
  - label: VRAM
    value: 32 KB
  - label: ROM
    value: 24 KB or 64 KB depending models
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 40 columns x 25 or 16 lines / 80 x 25-16 / 132 x 25-16
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: 40 x 16 / 40 x 25 / 320 x 200 / 640 x 200 / 512 x 254 / 1024 x 254 / 1056 x 254
  - label: COLORS
    value: Monochrome
  - label: SOUND
    value: Beeper
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: 46 x 38 x 19 cm / 19 Kg
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: Two expansion slots, two RS232/V24 ports, external monitor, parallel port optional
  - label: BUILT IN MEDIA
    value: 'one or two 3.5'''' floppy disk drives (287 KB each); average acces time: 365 ms; transfer rate: 500 KB/s'
  - label: OS
    value: MS DOS
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: Built-in power supply unit, 100w
  - label: PERIPHERALS
    value: Embedded printer, 2 x Serial RS-232 ports, Z80 card, built-in 300/1200 bauds modem, IBM 3780 & 327x compatible boards
  - label: PRICE
    value: From $2995 to $3997, depending upon options
  tabs:
  - photos
  forum_thread: 129
  photos:
  - title: THE DOT COMPUTER
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/dot2.jpg
  - title: THE DOT LOGO
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/dot3.jpg
  - title: HAPPY GUY
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/cdi_dot_pub_2.jpg
  oc_id: 116
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230330085435/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=116
    date: '2023-03-30'
---

The DOT was a portable IBM PC compatible computer. It was the last portable computer developed by Computer Devices Incorporated (CDI) back in 1981-1983. It followed the example of the Osborne systems, its main competitors. But while most other transportable systems were powered by 8-bit microprocessors, the DOT used a "powerful" 16-bit Intel 8088.

It has a wide built-in 5 x 9" green monochrome display which can display up to 1056 x 254 pixels or 132 x 25 characters. There are 256 characters from the original IBM PC character set for compatibility, as well as 256 more characters for double size displays. The DOT features a real time clock. One or two (depending models) 3.5'' Sony disk drives were mounted inside the system (287 KB each).

An optional Zilog Z80 expansion board allowing to run CP/M 2.2 was also available.

There is also an optional thermal printer (160 cps) mounted on top of the monitor, which can print everything displayed on the screen. It can also be remotely operated through 1200 baud line. Here are the Printer characteristics :

\- Print method: Thermal, with a 5 x 10 dot matrix\
\- Print speed: 160 characters per second bidirectional\
\- Paper: 8 3/4 " wide, thermal paper; 150' or 100' roll with last 5' color coded\
\- Line length (characters): 80/132 columns, selectable\
\- Automatic carriage return and line feed: At 81st or 137th column\
\- Character spacing: Vertical - 6 lines per inch Horizontal 80 column: 10 . 7 characters/inch 132 column: 18.4 characters/inch\
\- Graphics density: Vertical - 64 dots per inch Horizontal - 64 or 128 dots per inch\
\- Paper feeds : friction drive, 30 line feeds per second

This is some of the software available: MS-DOS, CP/M (optional), assembler, Basic, Fortran, Cobol, Pascal, C, macro-assembler, Pearl, Record Manager, terminal emulation (TTY, IBM 3101, 327x, 3780, VT100), mailing, Volkswriter (wordprocessor), Multiplan, Time Manager, Project Manager...