---
title: IMSAI 8048
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Home Computer
origins:
- U.S.A.
years:
- '1977'
cpus:
- Intel 8048
params:
  name: '8048'
  company: /companies/imsai
  company_name: IMSAI
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: '8048'
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: IMSAI
  - label: TYPE
    value: Home Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: U.S.A.
  - label: YEAR
    value: '1977'
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: 24 pad hexadecimal
  - label: CPU
    value: Intel 8048
  - label: RAM
    value: 1 Kb. (processor) + 1 Kb. (board)
  - label: ROM
    value: 1 Kb. (processor)
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: 8.5 x 10 inches
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: 26 I/O pins, Teletype, tape recorder, relay output, power supply
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: 5V. external P.S.U.
  - label: PERIPHERALS
    value: |-
      RAM expansion up to 64 Kb.\
      5V. Power supply $99
  - label: PRICE
    value: |-
      ROM kit version: $249\
      EROM kit version: $399\
      ROM assembled version: $299\
      EROM assembled version: $499
  tabs:
  - photos
  - adverts
  - links
  photos:
  - title: 'BOXED VERSION #1'
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      Thomas says: "This was the most common form of the 8048's that were shipped, mostly as kits. I believe that fewer than 300 were sold."

      Thomas Fischer
    image: null
  - title: 'BOXED VERSION #2'
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      This was a limited production package for the IMSAI Express version of the 8048. It was targeted for the Model Railroad market and garnered much attention from the hobby community but, overall, was not successful. About 50 of these were produced.

      Thomas Fischer
    image: null
  - title: NOTEBOOK PROTOTYPE
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      A prototype of a 8048 "notebook" version packaged along with tutorials and design sheets. It was released with a solder-masked board and manual, all neatly packaged in an attractive white 3-ring binder

      Thomas Fischer
    image: null
  adverts:
  - title: '1977 ADVERT #1'
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      This ad is unique in that it features professional actors and IMSAI employees.

      Thomas Fischer
    image: null
  - title: '1977 ADVERT #2'
    subtitle: ''
    text: This ad uses actors, except for IMSAI's Finance Director Hersch Mandelman as the "Milk Man".
    image: null
  - title: ABORTED ADVERT
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      One of the aborted advert campaigns for the 8048 was "Micromania".

      Thomas Fischer
    image: null
  links:
  - title: IMSAI.NET
    url: http://www.imsai.net/
    text: ''
  comments:
  - author: Shawn (Alaska)
    date: Sunday 23rd May 2021
    text: I would like to buy this......18 years later. if you still have it? the IMSAI 8048
  - author: Dominic (Holland)
    date: Monday 25th August 2003
    text: Does anyboday have layouts for the s-100 motherboard from a imsai 8080 i want to reprint them.
  - author: Squibit (Northenr NJ)
    date: Friday 28th March 2003
    text: |-
      Is there anyone interested in obtaining an IMSAI\
      8048 Control Computer-there's one gathering dust\
      in my basement ; make a reasonable offer and it could be yours.
  oc_id: 564
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230208072021/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=564
    date: '2023-02-08'
---

A soon as the Intel single chip microcomputer was available, IMSAI developped this single board computer. The 8048 processor offered integrated RAM, ROM, I/O, Timer/counter and interrupts. IMSAI added a 24 keys hexadecimal keyboard, a 9-digit LED hex display, 26 I/O lines connectors, 5 relays, Teletype and audio cassette interfaces. 2 Kb of ROM and 1 Kb. of RAM was intalled. Sockets was available for one additional Kb. The system was expandable up to 64 Kb. of RAM off board. The 8048 board was intended for computers newcomers particularly interested in interfacing techniques.

Thanks to **Thomas Fischer** and his [IMSAI site](http://www.imsai.net/) for the pictures and some information.