---
title: COMPUTER DEVICES INCORPORATED Miniterm
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Professional Computer
origins:
- U.S.A.
years:
- '1980'
cpus:
- Motorola 6800
params:
  name: Miniterm
  image: /media/museum/photos/cdi_miniterm.jpg
  company: /companies/computer-devices-incorporated
  company_name: COMPUTER DEVICES INCORPORATED
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: Miniterm
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: Computer Devices Incorporated
  - label: TYPE
    value: Professional Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: U.S.A.
  - label: YEAR
    value: '1980'
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: Full-stroke keyboard
  - label: CPU
    value: Motorola 6800
  - label: RAM
    value: 32 KB
  - label: ROM
    value: About 20 KB
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: Unknown
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: Unknown
  - label: COLORS
    value: None
  - label: SOUND
    value: Unknown,
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: 17 lbs
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: Unknown
  - label: BUILT IN MEDIA
    value: Mini-cassette
  - label: OS
    value: Unknown
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: Unknown
  - label: PERIPHERALS
    value: 132 column printer, alphanumeric bar-code reader, 1.44 MB disk drive.
  - label: PRICE
    value: About $5,000
  forum_thread: 622
  oc_id: 636
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20221205020435/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=636
    date: '2022-12-05'
---

The "Miniterm" portable computer terminal was the Computer Devices Incorporated's primary product.

This "hand-carried" computer was preprogrammed to lead sales, manufacturing, and other untrained in computer operation through data processing tasks. Stored on a minicassette, the program was called up automatically when the computer is switched on.

Model 1206/PAT had a 64k processor with 32k RAM and included a modem acoustic coupler, and an 80-column thermal printer that could produce 50 characters per second. Programs were developped in Basic or in Motorola 6800 assembly language on a companion unit.

Options included a 132-column printer, alphanumeric bar-code reader, and a 1.44 MB disk drive.

---

More information from **Ken Steiner**:\
I was the software guy for this product. It had no display, 80 or 132 column printing, it could print raster graphics using Digital Equipment format. I forget the name of the OS, but it was unusual, even for 6800 standards. It had two different versions of basic - one in ROM that was similar (not as powerful) as in the Apple2, and one called STRUBAL - structured Basic Language. The disk drive was optional. I don't know if any were sold with disk drive, and a few were sold without disk drive.

<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>