---
title: Zenith Data Systems Z-160 PC
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Transportable
origins:
- U.S.A.
years:
- '1984'
cpus:
- Intel 8088
params:
  name: Z-160 PC
  image: /media/museum/photos/zenith_z160-pc.jpg
  company: /companies/zenith-data-systems
  company_name: Zenith Data Systems
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: Z-160 PC
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: Zenith Data Systems
  - label: TYPE
    value: Transportable
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: U.S.A.
  - label: YEAR
    value: '1984'
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: QWERTY full-stroke keyboard, 84 keys, 10 function keys.
  - label: CPU
    value: Intel 8088
  - label: SPEED
    value: 4.78 MHz ?
  - label: RAM
    value: 128 KB (upgradable to 640 KB)
  - label: VRAM
    value: Unknown
  - label: ROM
    value: Unknown
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 80 x 25 / built-in amber screen (23cm)
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: 320 x 200 (CGA)
  - label: COLORS
    value: Yes (Color graphic board included, but built-in monitor is monochrom)
  - label: SOUND
    value: Beeper
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: approx. 24'' (W) x 10'' (H) x 28'' (D) / 33 lbs
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: 2 serial ports, parallel port, 4 x IBM extension slots
  - label: BUILT IN MEDIA
    value: 2 x 5''1/4 disk-drives (360k each)
  - label: OS
    value: CP-M, MS-DOS, Z-DOS, PC-Dos.
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: Unknown
  - label: PERIPHERALS
    value: optional 20 MB hard disk
  - label: PRICE
    value: |-
      $2799 (USA, 1984)\
      128 KB model : 4565 (France, 1984)
  tabs:
  - photos
  forum_thread: 460
  photos:
  - title: Z-160 PC
    subtitle: ''
    text: Another picture of this beast
    image: /media/museum/photos/zenith_z160-pc_2.jpg
  oc_id: 465
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230331120249/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=465
    date: '2023-03-31'
---

A (trans)portable PC-XT computer made by Zenith, with double 5''1/4 disk drives and amber monitor built-in (23cm).

The computer is unusual in that the 2 built-in disk drives are mounted in a tilting case, on top of the computer. The keyboard folded up over the CRT (if you look at the picture just rotate the keyboard in place so that the spacebar is at the top of the machine). It forms the cover over the CRT. the cable went into the pop top.

To the right of the two 5.25" floppys is a dark rectangular area. That is an open space for the keyboard and power cable.

The Z-160 was equiped with a color graphic board which could be used with external monitor.

---

**William Pociengel** reports:\
You could remove one of the floppys and add a hard drive (with an additional card?), you had to format the HD with debug. You could also change the occilator crystal for overclocking but then you had to retune the video circuitry to get the image back to full screen. Original speed was approx 4.78Mhz? same as a standard PC of the day but by changing the crystal you could get up to (on mine at least) a blazing \~5Mhz (whoopie! ;-). I \_think\_ there was a IC socket for an 8087 on the motherboard (if memory serves me correctly). I ran DR-dos and Desqview (no mouse at the time but it had a serial port, so later you could add one -when they became available-). This was one heavy machine as I recall running through JFK trying to catch a flight while hauling this puppy.

<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>