---
title: Cromemco Z-1
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Professional Computer
origins:
- U.S.A.
years:
- '1976'
cpus:
- Z-80
params:
  name: Z-1
  image: /media/museum/photos/cromemco_z1_1.jpg
  company: /companies/cromemco
  company_name: Cromemco
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: Z-1
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: Cromemco
  - label: TYPE
    value: Professional Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: U.S.A.
  - label: YEAR
    value: '1976'
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: Basic Interpreter
  - label: CPU
    value: Z-80
  - label: SPEED
    value: 2 or 4 Mhz.
  - label: RAM
    value: 8 Kb. Static RAM (2 x 4 Kb. cards)
  - label: ROM
    value: 8 Kb.
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 25 lines x 80 char. with a RS-232 terminal
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: 1 x Serial RS-232
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: 28 amperes internal power supply
  - label: PERIPHERALS
    value: 22 card slots
  - label: PRICE
    value: 'Basic version : $2495'
  tabs:
  - adverts
  forum_thread: 536
  adverts:
  - title: ADVERT
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      Advert from Byte magazine (january 1977) said :

      ...It gets its speed and power from a selected version of the new Z80 microprocessor that can operate at a 4 Mhz. clock rate (The Z-1 also lets you switch to 2 Mhz. to be compatible with older systems)...\
      ...The Z-1 offers you all kinds of peripherals and softwares. It uses the standard ''S100'' bus supported by over a dozen manufacturers. And all Cromemco peripherals (PROM memory and programmer, Ram memory, analog I/O, color TV interface, etc) just plug into the Z1's sockets...\
      ... The Z-1 comes completely assembled ans tested. It's a quality, commercial grade microcomputer. It is not available as a kit.
    image: /media/museum/pubs/cromemco_z1_pub_1.jpg
  oc_id: 542
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230608222656/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=542
    date: '2023-06-08'
---

The Cromemco Z-1 uses an IMSAI chassis, with 22 card slots and a 28 amperes (about 300 watts) power supply. The major innovation of the Z-1 is the use of the 4 Mhz version of the Z-80 processor. It is also equiped with its own 2708 type EPROM burner card.

Like the IMSAI, the Basic version of the Cromemco Z-1 is programmed through the front panel switches, and results are read from the front panel leds... Hopefuly, it is possible to connect a standard Video terminal through the serial port.