---
title: THE Z80-A BECOMES AVAILABLE IN PRODUCTION QUANTITIES
date: '1977-05-01'
years:
- '1977'
topics:
- Hardware
params:
  when: MAY 1977
  image: /media/history/images/proocessors_z80_inside_1.jpg
  oc_id: 33
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230423040406/http://www.old-computers.com/history/detail.asp?n=33
    date: '2023-04-23'
---

![](/media/history/images/proocessors_z80_inside_1.jpg)

At its new manufacturing facilities in Cupertino, Zilog announced the manufacture of the Z80-A in February 24 1977. The Z80-A has a standard clock rate of 4 Mhz. which is made possible by a new technology developped by Zilog. Single quantity prices are $65 for the ceramic package and $59 for the plastic version. According to Zilog, the Z80-A is considered to be the fastest standard microprocessor. Its instructions cycle is 1 µs, and its throughput is 60% above the one of the Z80.

From now, it becomes available in production quantities for computer manufacturers. The standard Z80 at a clock rate of 2.5 Mhz. wil be continued at a reduced price.

![](/media/history/images/zilog_z80_series_1.jpg)