--- title: Intertec SUPERBRAIN categories: - Computers types: - Professional Computer origins: - U.S.A. years: - '1980' cpus: - 2 x Zilog Z80 params: name: SUPERBRAIN image: /media/museum/photos/intertec_superbrain_system_2.jpg company: /companies/intertec company_name: Intertec specs: - label: NAME value: SUPERBRAIN - label: MANUFACTURER value: Intertec - label: TYPE value: Professional Computer - label: ORIGIN value: U.S.A. - label: YEAR value: '1980' - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE value: None - label: KEYBOARD value: Full-stroke 80 key with numeric keypad - label: CPU value: 2 x Zilog Z80 - label: SPEED value: 4 Mhz - label: CO-PROCESSOR value: Zilog Z80 (for I/O) - label: RAM value: 16 kb (upgradable to 64 kb) - label: ROM value: 2 kb EEPROM - label: TEXT MODES value: 80 chars x 25 lines - label: GRAPHIC MODES value: None - label: COLORS value: monochrome - label: SOUND value: Beeper - label: I/O PORTS value: RS232 (2), Bus Z80, Bus S100 (optional) - label: BUILT IN MEDIA value: Two 5.25'' disk-drives - label: OS value: CP/M 2.2 - label: POWER SUPPLY value: Built-in power supply unit - label: PERIPHERALS value: S-100 boards - label: PRICE value: |- 2 x 175 KB: about $4200\ 2 x 350 KB: about $5000 tabs: - photos - adverts forum_thread: 214 photos: - title: QD VERSION subtitle: '' text: |- The QD version was an enhanced version of the SuperBrain with:\ \- 64 KB of RAM\ \- Two double sided disk drives, each of 360 KB formatted capacity. Price: $2995 image: /media/museum/photos/intertec_superbrain_system_3.jpg - title: RIGHT SIDE subtitle: '' text: '' image: /media/museum/photos/intertec_superbrain_qdright_1.jpg - title: LEFT SIDE subtitle: '' text: '' image: /media/museum/photos/intertec_superbrain_qdleft_1.jpg - title: QD LABELS subtitle: '' text: '' image: /media/museum/photos/intertec_superbrain_qdlabels_1.jpg - title: BACK SIDE subtitle: '' text: Only two serial ports provide connections to various peripherals image: /media/museum/photos/intertec_superbrain_back_1.jpg - title: KEYBOARD CLOSE-UP subtitle: '' text: '' image: /media/museum/photos/intertec_superbrain_keyboard_1.jpg - title: 'INSIDE #1' subtitle: '' text: Logic board is located between the keyboard and CRT image: /media/museum/photos/intertec_superbrain_inside_1.jpg - title: 'INSIDE #2' subtitle: '' text: Power supply is located below the floppy drives image: /media/museum/photos/intertec_superbrain_inside_2.jpg adverts: - title: U.S. ADVERT (1980) subtitle: '' text: |- Advert said: Most small system users think all microcomputers are created aqual. And they're right. If you want performance, convenience, styling, high technology and reliability (and who doesn't?) your micro usually has a price tag that looks mote like a mini. It seems big performance always means big bucks. But not so with the SuperBrain... image: /media/museum/pubs/intertec_superbrain_pub_1.jpg - title: QD VERSION ADVERT subtitle: '' text: |- 1980 Advert said: Our new QD model has all of the features of our phenomenally popular SuperBrain with the addition of double-sided disk drives and an extra of dynamic RAM. So, for only a modest increase in price, you can order your next SuperBrain with more than twice the disk and memory storage capability. But, best of all, the new QD model has the same tough, rugged construction and exceptional quality that made our SuperBrain such a success. image: /media/museum/pubs/intertec_superbrain_qd_1.jpg - title: COMPUSTAR NETWORK subtitle: '' text: Compustar is the network version of the SuperBrain. Each SuperBrain computer became an 'intelligent' video terminal called a Video Processing Unit and containing its own microprocessor and 64 KB of RAM. Single or double floppy disc could be added for 350 KB to 1.5 MB local storage. Up to 255 terminals could be connected into the same network. Maximum cable length between two terminal was one mile at a 1.6 MB data transfer rate. Each of them could share a disk storage system, from 10 to 96 MB with CP/M operating system. image: /media/museum/pubs/intertec_compustar_1.jpg - title: US ADVERT (1982) subtitle: '' text: '' image: null - title: US ADVERT (APRIL 1982) subtitle: '' text: '' image: null - title: SUPERBRAIN II ADVERT subtitle: '' text: |- SuperBrain II's internal circuitry has been completely redesigned. There were four models availables, from 350 KB to 10 MB of storage capacity. The new version offered a faster enhanced disk operating system, new video visual attributes ans better graphics capabilities. Prices started at $2,495 image: /media/museum/pubs/intertec_superbrain2_pub_2.jpg - title: THE PERSONABLE COMPUTER subtitle: '' text: |- January 1983\ Advert said: What's a personable computer? It's a computer with business application versatility at personal computer price. It's a computer powerful enough to tackle even your toughest business jobs, yet at a price that wont put you out of business... image: /media/museum/pubs/intertec_superbrain2_pub_3.jpg - title: 'COMPUSTAR AD #2' subtitle: '' text: |- Compustar standard features in 1983:\ \- 350 KB / 750 KB / 1.5 MB workstation disk capacities\ \- 10 to 144 MB storage options Advert said: Compustar is built and backed by the company that's been in the microcomputer business as long as microcomputers have been in business. Would you trust your business to anything less? image: /media/museum/pubs/intertec_superbrain2_pub_4.jpg - title: CMC INTERNATIONAL subtitle: '' text: It seems that the CMC Company (We have no more info about this company) used SuperBrain systems in which they added various hard disks, from 5 to 20 MB. image: /media/museum/pubs/cmcinternational_superfive_1.jpg oc_id: 204 source: url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230601044954/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=204 date: '2023-06-01' --- The Superbrain was an integrated system with keyboard, display and disc drives. The system used two Z80A microprocessors at 4 MHz, one for the main processing, and the other for peripheral activities. The dual 5" floppy disc units could be 2x170 KB (single side), 2x340 KB (DS), and a 10 MB CompuStar hard disk could be added. The SuperBrain was sold with the CP/M operating system, Microsoft Basic, an 8080 assembler and Microsoft Cobol 74. The **SuperBrain II** appeared in 1982. It offered a faster and enhanced disk operating system, new video visual attributes and better graphics capabilities. --- More information from **Michael Hoyle** who was an application engineer for Intertec; he is now the President of CornerStone Technologies, Inc.:\ All Intertec systems were sold, installed and serviced by dealers around the world.\ Intertec manufactured the entire product including designing and producing the circuit boards and molding the cabinets.\ Intertec first manufactured dumb and smart terminals. The dumb version was called **Intertube**. The smart one emulated various common terminals (VTxxx etc) and was called **the Emulator**. They looked similar to the Superbrain, but smaller.\ The SuperBrain and SuperBrain II was 5¼ floppy disk based CP/M machines. Four models in each category:\ \- **10** (no drives - network only),\ \- **Jr** 170K,\ \- **QD** 340K,\ \- **SD** 780K.\ Each could have one or two drives. Intertec did not sell or support a hard drive or an S-100 bus for these machines.\ The network version of the SuperBrain was called **CompuStar**. The network was a parallel cable design with large gray cables about ½" diameter. CompuStar had three "file servers" that accepted up to 255 machines:\ \- **DSS-10** 10MB 8" Winchester drive,\ \- **CDC** 96MB, 80MB fixed with a 16MB removable platter,\ \- **Priam** 144MB 14" platter winchester.\ Intertec manufactured the controllers for the last two and an enclosure/PS for the Priam. CDC had to go on-site to install the 96MB.