---
title: Quasar Data Products QDP-300
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Professional Computer
origins:
- U.S.A.
years:
- '1982'
cpus:
- Z80-C
params:
  name: QDP-300
  company: /companies/quasar-data-products
  company_name: Quasar Data Products
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: QDP-300
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: Quasar Data Products
  - label: TYPE
    value: Professional Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: U.S.A.
  - label: YEAR
    value: November 1982
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: None
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: Serial video terminal
  - label: CPU
    value: Z80-C
  - label: SPEED
    value: 6 Mhz.
  - label: RAM
    value: 64 KB
  - label: ROM
    value: Unknown
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 80 columns x 25 lines
  - label: COLORS
    value: Monochrome
  - label: SOUND
    value: Beeper
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: Serial interface
  - label: BUILT IN MEDIA
    value: |-
      Dual 8'' 1.2 MB F.D. drives\
      Optional 10 or 15 MB internal hard disk, or 30 MB external
  - label: OS
    value: CP/M, MP/M
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: Built-in power supply unit
  - label: PERIPHERALS
    value: S-100 bus boards range
  - label: PRICE
    value: Unknown
  comments:
  - author: curt mayer (USA)
    date: Saturday 4th September 2021
    text: I picked one of these up for a song earlier this year. I''m disassembling the rom, and it''s heavy going. are there any docs anywhere on this amazing double high board?
  - author: Greg Bradley (Southern California, USA)
    date: Monday 2nd July 2018
    text: |-
      I became a dealer for QDP right about the time the 300 was introduced. The first 300 I received was September 1984 for $6795 List less 34$ so $4485 net. It was 1 floppy, 15Mb HD 4 user MPM with 256K Memory. The next one was a month later and the first of the high end version with 32Mb HD and a 512K Cache board. It was $9795 List.\
      The first one ran an Automotive Parts Importer for many years as we had to upgrade the software for Y2K compatability in 1999.
  oc_id: 616
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230603010941/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=616
    date: '2023-06-03'
---

The hardware features of the QDP-300 were very close to those of the [QDP-100](/museum/quasar-data-products-qdp-100/) model. Apart from the shape of the case, the major differences were:\
\- An integrated help system,\
\- A cache memory to speed up the disk drives operations,\
\- A new motherboard design allowing the 6 Mhz. Z80-C microprocessor to be used.

The QDP-300 was backed by one-year on-site warranty performed by the General Electric Company.

---

**Mark Penacho** adds:\
The Quasar Data Products QDP-300 was rebranded the **TDS-300** (by QDP) and was used as the development system for the now defunct handheld computer company Telxon in the early 80's for their handheld devices.\
The rebranding was a darker metal case (I think dark blue), and a blue front panel. Cosmetically, the TDS version looked nicer.

**Roger Chalonec** remembers:\
I used these on US Navy ships. We ultimately had a 10meg hard drive in these I belive. We ran a pretty impressive database called MDBS (Micro Database Systems) out of Cleveland, OH.

<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>