---
title: Digital Micro Systems DMS-3/F
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Professional Computer
origins:
- U.S.A.
years:
- '1982'
cpus:
- Z80-A
params:
  name: DMS-3/F
  image: /media/museum/photos/digitalmicrosys_dms3_system_1.jpg
  company: /companies/digital-micro-systems
  company_name: Digital Micro Systems
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: DMS-3/F
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: Digital Micro Systems
  - label: TYPE
    value: Professional Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: U.S.A.
  - label: YEAR
    value: '1982'
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: Full stroke keyboard 80 keys, 16 function keys, numeric keypad
  - label: CPU
    value: Z80-A
  - label: SPEED
    value: 4 Mhz.
  - label: RAM
    value: 64 KB
  - label: ROM
    value: Unknown
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 80 col. x 25 lines
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: Unknown
  - label: COLORS
    value: Unknown
  - label: SOUND
    value: Unknown
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: 14 Kgs
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: 4 x Serial RS-232, 1 x Parallel, 1 x Network
  - label: OS
    value: CP/M
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: Built-in P.S.U.
  - label: PRICE
    value: Unknown
  tabs:
  - adverts
  forum_thread: 582
  adverts:
  - title: DMS-15
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      January 1983 advert.

      The DMS-15 is a DMS-3/F with a built-in 15 MB hard disk.
    image: /media/museum/pubs/digitalmicrosys_dms15_pub_1.jpg
  - title: COMPUTER TERMINAL TO NETWORK STATION
    subtitle: ''
    text: The HiNet local network system allowed data to be transfered at a 256 Kbyte/sec. speed. It was able to run under CP/M or MS/DOS operating systems.
    image: /media/museum/pubs/digitalmicrosys_hinet_pub_1.jpg
  oc_id: 593
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230417024951/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=593
    date: '2023-04-17'
---

Digital Microsystems, Inc. was founded by **John Torode**, a computer science professor at the University of California at Berkeley. John Torode previously built a computer with a friend called **Gary Kildall**, the 'father' of the CP/M operating system. From 1979 to 1986. Digital Microsystems designed and manufactured microcomputer-based subsystems, computers, and one of the first microprocessor-based local area networks called **HiNet**. Originally based in Oakland, CA, DMS was sold to a British firm and grew to more than 200 employees worldwide with a sister company in England.

Also called "Fox" the DMS-3/F was a CP/M based system. It could be used as a stand-alone system or as a network station able to emulate any video terminal. Digital Microsystems advertised that with its 9" diagonal screen, the Fox had triple the capacity of the most popular portable of that time, the [Osborne 1](/museum/osborne-corp-osborne-1/).

The system was sold with the HiNet local area network and four RS-232 serial ports allowing the professional user to connect its computer anywhere the business required for about the cost of a good typewriter.\
A 15 MB hard disk version called DMS-15 was launched in early 1983.

To note the lovely gilded 60's fashioned feet with red rubber tips.