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---
title: Morrow Designs Micro Decision
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Professional Computer
origins:
- U.S.A.
years:
- '1982'
cpus:
- Z80-A
params:
name: Micro Decision
image: /media/museum/photos/morrow_microdec_system_1b.jpg
company: /companies/morrow-designs
company_name: Morrow Designs
specs:
- label: NAME
value: Micro Decision
- label: MANUFACTURER
value: Morrow Designs
- label: TYPE
value: Professional Computer
- label: ORIGIN
value: U.S.A.
- label: YEAR
value: '1982'
- label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
value: None
- label: KEYBOARD
value: Full-stroke keyboard
- label: CPU
value: Z80-A
- label: SPEED
value: 4 Mhz.
- label: CO-PROCESSOR
value: None
- label: RAM
value: 64 KB
- label: ROM
value: Unknown
- label: TEXT MODES
value: 80 chars. x 25 lines
- label: GRAPHIC MODES
value: None
- label: COLORS
value: Monochrome
- label: SOUND
value: Beeper
- label: SIZE / WEIGHT
value: Unknown
- label: I/O PORTS
value: 2 x serial ports
- label: BUILT IN MEDIA
value: 1 or 2 x 200 KB 5.25 floppy disc drives
- label: OS
value: CP/M
- label: POWER SUPPLY
value: Integrated power supply unit
- label: PRICE
value: |-
Complete system: $1790\
Computer alone with one drive: $1195\
Video terminal only: $595
tabs:
- photos
- adverts
- docs
photos:
- title: DUAL F.D. VERSION
subtitle: ''
text: All of these pictures are dedicated to **Michael Dolan** the owner of this system.
image: /media/museum/photos/morrow_microdec_system_2.jpg
- title: TOP VIEW
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/morrow_microdec_topview_1.jpg
- title: KEYBOARD
subtitle: ''
text: The good quality keyboard is actually a part of the ADM-20 video terminal.
image: /media/museum/photos/morrow_microdec_keyboard_1.jpg
- title: REAR CONNECTORS
subtitle: ''
text: |-
**(1)** Auxiliary RS-232 connector\
**(2)** Expansion drives connector\
**(3)** Serial connection to the computer\
**(4)** Printer/Modem serial connector\
**(5)** Keyboard connector\
**(6)** Serial connection to the video terminal
image: /media/museum/photos/morrow_microdec_back_1.jpg
- title: INSIDE
subtitle: ''
text: |-
No plastic parts inside the Micro Decision case.\
Notice the (japanese) switching power supply on the right which doesn't need fan.
image: /media/museum/photos/morrow_microdec_inside_1.jpg
- title: MOTHERBOARD
subtitle: ''
text: |-
A very compact board compared with other systems of the time.
**(1)** Terminal (left) and printer/modem (right) serial ports\
**(2)** Nec D765 floppy disc controller chip\
**(3)** Expansion drives connector\
**(4)** Power connectors\
**(5)** 64 KB RAM memory area (8 x 4164 chips)\
**(6-7)** Built-in floppy disc connectors\
**(8)** Z80A processors, here a Nec D780 version\
**(9)** 2716 (2 KB) Monitor ROM chip\
**(10)** Serial port controller 8251 chips\
**(11)** Serial port baud rate dip-switches adjustment.
image: /media/museum/photos/morrow_microdec_mainboard_1.jpg
- title: FLOPPY DISC DRIVE
subtitle: ''
text: The Micro Decision floppy drives was assembled by Morrow Designs although all the components (motors, I.C.) came from Japan.
image: /media/museum/photos/morrow_microdec_fddrive_1.jpg
- title: INSIDE THE TERMINAL
subtitle: ''
text: |-
The video display and keyboard are actually a Lear Siegler ADM-20 serial video terminal.
Notice the electronic card, a complete computer with microprocessor, ROM, RAM, two serial ports and keyboard DIN plug.
image: /media/museum/photos/morrow_microdec_terminal_1.jpg
adverts:
- title: US ADVERT
subtitle: ''
text: Thanks to Dave Dunfield and his [website](http://parse.com/~ddunfield/museum/index.htm) for this advert
image: /media/museum/pubs/morrow_decision_pub_2.gif
- title: GERMAN ADVERT
subtitle: ''
text: The Micro Decision have been presented at the 1983 Hannover show.
image: /media/museum/pubs/morrow_microdec_pub_1.jpg
docs:
- title: MICRO DECISION USER'S GUIDE
url: http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/morrow/index.htm
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/morrow_micro-decision_user-guide.jpg
text: |-
[**MICRO DECISION USER'S GUIDE**](http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/morrow/index.htm)written by Dr Lawrence J. Magid / Morrow Designs
 compiled/archived by Dave Dunfield\
 type of document : PDF\
 source : [Daves Old Computers](http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/)
- title: MICRO DECISION SERVICE GUIDE
url: http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/morrow/index.htm
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/morrow_micro-decision_service-guide.gif
text: |-
[**MICRO DECISION SERVICE GUIDE**](http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/morrow/index.htm)written by Morrow Designs
 compiled/archived by Dave Dunfield\
 type of document : PDF\
 source : [Daves Old Computers](http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/)
- title: MICRO DECISION BOARD - REVISION 2.0 - TECHNICAL INFORMATION SUPPLEMENT
url: http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/morrow/index.htm
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/morrow_micro-decision_rev-board-2_technical-supplement.gif
text: |-
[**MICRO DECISION BOARD - REVISION 2.0 - TECHNICAL INFORMATION SUPPLEMENT**](http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/morrow/index.htm)written by Morrow Designs
 compiled/archived by Dave Dunfield\
 type of document : PDF\
 source : [Daves Old Computers](http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/)
- title: MICRO DECISION SCHEMATIC DRAWINGS
url: http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/morrow/index.htm
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/morrow_micro-decision_schematic-drawings.gif
text: |-
[**MICRO DECISION SCHEMATIC DRAWINGS**](http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/morrow/index.htm)written by Morrow Designs
 compiled/archived by Dave Dunfield\
 type of document : ZIP\
 source : [Daves Old Computers](http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/)
- title: MICRO DECISION QUESTIONS & ANSWERS BOOK
url: http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/morrow/index.htm
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/morrow_micro-decision_questions-and-answers-book.gif
text: |-
[**MICRO DECISION QUESTIONS & ANSWERS BOOK**](http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/morrow/index.htm)written by Morrow Designs
 compiled/archived by Dave Dunfield\
 type of document : PDF\
 source : [Daves Old Computers](http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/)
- title: MDT20 TERMINAL REFERENCE MANUAL
url: http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/morrow/index.htm
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/morrow_micro-decision_mdt20-terminal-reference-manual.gif
text: |-
[**MDT20 TERMINAL REFERENCE MANUAL**](http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/morrow/index.htm)written by Morrow Designs
 compiled/archived by Dave Dunfield\
 type of document : PDF\
 source : [Daves Old Computers](http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/)
- title: SHUGART SA200 MINIFLOPPY DISKETTE STORAGE DEVICE - OEM MANUAL
url: http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/morrow/index.htm
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/morrow_micro-decision_sa200-mini-floppy_disk-storage-device.gif
text: |-
[**SHUGART SA200 MINIFLOPPY DISKETTE STORAGE DEVICE - OEM MANUAL**](http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/morrow/index.htm)written by Shugart
 compiled/archived by Dave Dunfield\
 type of document : PDF\
 source : [Daves Old Computers](http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/)
comments:
- author: Alliene Turner (United States)
date: Thursday 26th September 2019
text: I have a Morrow Computer and complete documentation. Anyone interested in it?
- author: mike fetting (United States)
date: Friday 6th September 2019
text: |-
In 1979, Two of my college friends and I started a small business selling Morrow Design computers and writing software while attending Northwest Nazarene College, Nampa, ID.
We sold quite a few MD1, MD2, and MD3s. Sold one Decision One to a client that needed a multi-user system.
Somewhere I have all the sales material for the computers (three ring binder). If I can find it, I will scan them and send them to the site.
- author: Don Ricketts (United States)
date: Monday 1st January 2018
text: |-
I bought a Morrow MDII in 1982, because I needed a computer to manage a multi-defendant t lawsuit I wanted to file. (I am a lawyer.) I couldn''t handle it without a computer which I understood would do the job. It did I could run a law office with that computer. It was a revelation to me and a revolution.
It finally failed Disk drives I failed as I remember. Still have it. Anyone have any ideas onail how how I could get it fixed. E-mail me at don@donricketts.com
- author: Jeff Drescher (Madison, Wisconsin)
date: Tuesday 10th October 2017
text: |-
1st Purchased In 1978 w/10MB HD $ 300 Baud External Modem Paid Aprox 3k. Had Choice Between OS CPM or DOS.Mainframe Frames Then Using CPM86, Got That One,\
Who Would Thought, Right. Use Modem To Log Into\
BBS''s, 1 Favorite Was "The Listening Post" Frequency\
Data Base, Lived Around Langley, VA @ Time.\
PC Came w/A lot of Manuals/5-1/4 Floppy Disks, Did\
Not Have a Clue, Me $ Brother Doug, Went Book By Book\
and Discovered. Not Sure About Anything @ 1st, Except\
We Needed a Computer.
- author: Steve Hofer (Indiana USA)
date: Thursday 19th January 2017
text: They sold these Morrow computers ar Von''s Computer Store In West Lafayette Indiana when I was in college in 1982. I remember thinking that the Morrow wa the only system that I would consider buying at that time. The system looked good, felt good and, above all, just worked. It was relatively inexpensive and came with useful software.
- author: Chuck Rose (USA)
date: Thursday 1st August 2013
text: |-
To Greg H,
It''s a standard 25 pin RS-232 connector. If you get a 9 pin to 25 pin cable, you should be able to make a PC act as a terminal (with appropriate software).
- author: Greg Havenga (Austin, TX)
date: Sunday 28th July 2013
text: I have one of these - and all the software, it was my first real computer in college. The Liberty terminal is long gone, but I have the rest of it. Was going to see if the floppies had anything on them and try to at least boot the thing. Need pinout for the terminal port. I''ll just have to meter it out.
- author: Melvin Lewis Jr (Maple Shade Burlington)
date: Thursday 28th June 2012
text: I have a Northstar computer for sell with all the triming. hope to here from someone. Have picture if asked.
- author: Melvin Lewis Jr (Maple Shade Burlington)
date: Thursday 28th June 2012
text: I have a Northstar computer for sell with all the triming. hope to here from someone. Have picture if asked.
- author: Sean (USA)
date: Thursday 25th August 2011
text: My first PC was a Morrow MD-3. Many nights spent playing adventure, zork and racking up phone bills on CompuServe.
- author: Hans Lienesch (Edmonds, WA)
date: Sunday 11th July 2010
text: I used Morrow MD3''s in my Computer Science class in high school. This was in 1991, believe it or not, in Anacortes, WA. They were pretty rickety little boxes... I''ve owned a couple in the past and it gets me when people complain about DOS and how antiquated it is. They blab about their prowess with the command line and know nothing about good old CP/M. I also had a couple Morrow MD3/P''s, the portable $luggable$ version.
- author: Greg Havenga (Tucson, AZ)
date: Tuesday 1st June 2010
text: |-
My first real computer (I had a RadioShack Pocket Computer first, but that doesn''t count), was the Morrow MD3. I still have it, but had to get rid of the Liberty terminal.
I did my senior project on that computer - a terminal system that I could use to log in to the school''s Univac and also do file transfer, etc. between the systems.
- author: Jon Lyon (USA)
date: Sunday 23rd December 2007
text: in 1984 I purchased two MD 2's and the dealer, the AB Dick franchise in Bakersfield, CA, asked me to start up a computer users group. Later I bought an additional used MD 2. All three of these MD 2's had two DSDD floppies and Personal Pearl, but not Quest. The WordStar package included SpellStar and CalcStar. I loved that system, even the 9600 baud serial terminal connection. I tried to stay with C/PM as long as I could.
- author: Jeff (Silicon Valley)
date: Tuesday 5th June 2007
text: My first real computer was a Morrow Design Micro Decision II, Z-80a processor, 64 KB memory and two 186KB 5-1/4 inch floppies. It came with a Freedom 50 terminal and a number of software titles, including Wordstar. I eventually added a Radio Shack Model 100 laptop that could interface with the terminal connection on the MDII. Great fun, and it worked, but you had to be a serious hacker/geek to get things to work correctly.
- author: j4ck (nyus)
date: Friday 8th April 2005
text: i remember reading about this machine in Byte way back when and wanting one. god knows why, since all i ever did with my commodore was play games
- author: Toennies von Donop (Berlin Germany)
date: Wednesday 5th January 2005
text: 'I still own my first computer: the Morrow Design Micro Decision with 2 Floppy Disk Drives. Now more then 20 years later I am still in the Computer Business and that is also because I loved by 1. Computer. Thanks to Morrow!'
- author: John Barrett (Earth)
date: Monday 20th January 2003
text: |-
Morrow was very active in the 80's designing S-100 and SS-50 addon boards. In addition to the memory board, he designed serial and parallel I/O boards, Eprom boards and burners, and disk and tape drive boards. I owned one of his 32K ram cards, fully populated (for a system total of 40K !), I spent over 750.00 for 32K. :-)\
I had a no-name mainframe, 22 slot motherboard, S-100 box back then...
oc_id: 613
source:
url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230605031821/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=613
date: '2023-06-05'
---
George Morrow, the Morrow Designs President, was one of the first engineers to design and market a memory board for the [Altair](/museum/mits-altair-8800/) computer. His company was first called "Morrow's Microstuff" and the cards were sold by mail order. Some time later, Morrow Designs began to design hard disks and computers.
With this computer, G. Morrow tried to build a single-board Z-80 CP/M machine that looks like an [IBM PC](/museum/ibm-pc-model-5150/) but is one-third as expensive as it, and half the price of a comparable Apple system ([Apple III](/museum/apple-iii/)).
The basic version included a serial video terminal and a 200 KB 5.25 floppy disk drive. However, the mainframe could be sold alone with one or two floppy disk drives. The Micro Decision also came with 5 MB, 10 MB or 40 MB Winchester hard drive installed. The MicroDecision line didn't have proper monitors or keyboards. The console shown here is actually a VT52-compatible terminal.
Here are the diffent models marketed and their US price in 1983 :
**Model MD1** : one SSSD disk drive (200 KB) = $1590\
**Model MD2** : two SSSD disk drives (400 KB total) + Personal PEARL DBMS = $1950\
**Model MD3** : two DSDD disk drives (768 KB total) + Personal PEARL DBMS + QUEST Bookkeeper = $2490
The Morrow MD-1 used the Pilot programming language for a Menu-Driven shell to make the computer more user friendly. Some of the later ones manufacturered also used CP/M 3.0.
Like many CP/M computer manufacturers, Morrow Designs offered a complete software package with its system, including:\
\- **CP/M 2.2** operating system\
\- **WordStar** word processing from Micropro\
\- Microsoft **BASIC-80** programming language\
\- NorthStar compatible **BAZIC** language from Micro Mike's Inc.\
\- A spelling checker\
\- An electronic spreadsheet.
---
**Contributors:** Gary Clouse, David Griffith
<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>
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