---
title: Applied Technologies Computer In a Book
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Professional Computer
origins:
- Australia
years:
- '1985'
cpus:
- Z80A
params:
  name: Computer In a Book
  image: /media/museum/photos/microbee_compinabook_system_s2.jpg
  company: /companies/applied-technologies
  company_name: Applied Technologies
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: Computer In a Book
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: Applied Technologies
  - label: TYPE
    value: Professional Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: Australia
  - label: YEAR
    value: '1985'
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: None
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: Typewriter type, 60 keys
  - label: CPU
    value: Z80A
  - label: SPEED
    value: 3.375 MHz
  - label: CO-PROCESSOR
    value: 6545 video controller
  - label: RAM
    value: 64 KB
  - label: VRAM
    value: Unknown
  - label: ROM
    value: 4 KB BIOS + 4 KB FDD controller
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 64 x 16 (Microbee BASIC) - 80 x 24 (CP/M)
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: 128 x 48, 512 x 256 dots
  - label: COLORS
    value: Black & white
  - label: SOUND
    value: Built-in loudspeaker, one channel, 2 octaves
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: 35.5 (W) x 23 (D) x 5.5 (H) cm / 1.5 kg (main unit)
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: Power/Video/tape, Expansion/drive Interface, Serial ,Parallel, RGB, user ports
  - label: BUILT IN MEDIA
    value: 1 to 4 3.5'' book-floppy-disk drives
  - label: OS
    value: CP/M
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: Switching PSU in the FDD book
  - label: PERIPHERALS
    value: Modem
  - label: PRICE
    value: About $1,600
  tabs:
  - photos
  - adverts
  forum_thread: 1032
  photos:
  - title: LARGE VIEW
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/microbee_compinabook_system_s1.jpg
  - title: FOUR-BOOK SYSTEM
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/microbee_compinabook_4fd_s2.jpg
  - title: OPENED DRIVE-BOOKS
    subtitle: ''
    text: The drive units simply slide in the book cases.
    image: /media/museum/photos/microbee_compinabook_openedfdunit_s1.jpg
  - title: INSIDE A DRIVE-BOOK
    subtitle: ''
    text: This is a master drive-book, containing a power supply unit and a 3.5" floppy-disk drive.
    image: /media/museum/photos/microbee_compinabook_insidefdunit_s1.jpg
  - title: INSIDE THE MANUAL BOOK
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/microbee_compinabook_manual_s1.jpg
  - title: REAR SIDE
    subtitle: ''
    text: Rear side of a master and slave FDD unit.
    image: /media/museum/photos/microbee_compinabook_rearfdunit_s1.jpg
  adverts:
  - title: NEW-ZEALAND ADVERT (OCT. 1985)
    subtitle: ''
    text: from Bits & Bytes magazine
    image: null
  oc_id: 1059
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230608212613/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1059
    date: '2023-06-08'
---

The Computer-In-A-Book (CIAB) was released just after the **Microbee 64**. This strange machine was composed of one main unit and at least two 'books'.

The computer was actually not in a book, but in the main unit, a Microbee 64. The first book held the user manual in a ring binder, the second book (Vol. 1) held a - new at the time - 3.5" floppy-disk drive and a power supply unit which supplied the main unit and the drive. This unit could also supply a second slave disk-book (Vol. 2).

The designer's idea was to offer a low-cost and expandable CP/M machine. Up to 4 disk-books could be connected in chain. Even though the idea was original, the day-to-day use of these light units wasn't very convenient. The bad idea was to mount them in a bookcase, between other books, causing PSU to overheat and system failure.

<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>