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---
title: Hewlett Packard HP-85
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Professional Computer
origins:
- U.S.A.
years:
- '1980'
cpus:
- '''Capricorn'' custom HP 8-bit CPU'
params:
name: HP-85
image: /media/museum/photos/hp_85_system_1.jpg
company: /companies/hewlett-packard
company_name: Hewlett Packard
specs:
- label: NAME
value: HP-85
- label: MANUFACTURER
value: Hewlett Packard
- label: TYPE
value: Professional Computer
- label: ORIGIN
value: U.S.A.
- label: YEAR
value: '1980'
- label: END OF PRODUCTION
value: '1984'
- label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
value: HP Basic interpreter
- label: KEYBOARD
value: Full stroke 93 keys with numeric keypad and user definable keys
- label: CPU
value: '''Capricorn'' custom HP 8-bit CPU'
- label: SPEED
value: 0.625 MHz
- label: CO-PROCESSOR
value: Custom HP I/O circuits
- label: RAM
value: 16 KB (14.5 KB for the user, expandable to 32 KB)
- label: VRAM
value: 8 KB
- label: ROM
value: 32 KB
- label: TEXT MODES
value: 32 chars x 16 lines
- label: GRAPHIC MODES
value: 256 x 192 dots
- label: COLORS
value: Monochrome
- label: SOUND
value: Tone Generator
- label: I/O PORTS
value: Four I/O Ports
- label: BUILT IN MEDIA
value: Built-in DC 100 cardridge drive
- label: OS
value: Built-in BASIC language. Optional CP/M O.S. with external FD/HD unit
- label: POWER SUPPLY
value: Built-in power supply unit 110V - 240V switchable
- label: PERIPHERALS
value: 'Various extension cards: GP-IB, Serial, FDD controller, I/O routines, Parallel, BASIC extensions'
- label: PRICE
value: $3250
tabs:
- photos
- adverts
- hardware
- software
- emulators
- links
photos:
- title: TOP VIEW
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/hp_85_topview_1.jpg
- title: RUNNING SOFTWARE
subtitle: ''
text: Thanks to [La-Tech-Renewal (Ebay Seller)](http://myworld.ebay.com/la-tech-renewal/) for this picture
image: /media/museum/photos/hp85_la-tech_front_1.jpg
- title: LEFT VIEW
subtitle: ''
text: Thanks to [La-Tech-Renewal (Ebay Seller)](http://myworld.ebay.com/la-tech-renewal/) for this picture
image: /media/museum/photos/hp85_la-tech_side_1.jpg
- title: 'LEFT VIEW #2'
subtitle: ''
text: Thanks to [La-Tech-Renewal (Ebay Seller)](http://myworld.ebay.com/la-tech-renewal/) for this picture
image: /media/museum/photos/hp85_la-tech_side_2.jpg
- title: RIGHT VIEW
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/hp_85_frontview_1.jpg
- title: IN USE
subtitle: ''
text: After a self-test was performed, the character set in ROM is displayed and printed.
image: /media/museum/photos/hp_85_inuse_1.jpg
- title: DISPLAY DETAIL
subtitle: ''
text: Thanks to [La-Tech-Renewal (Ebay Seller)](http://myworld.ebay.com/la-tech-renewal/) for this picture
image: /media/museum/photos/hp85_la-tech_display_1.jpg
- title: TAPE CATALOG LISTED
subtitle: ''
text: Thanks to [La-Tech-Renewal (Ebay Seller)](http://myworld.ebay.com/la-tech-renewal/) for this picture
image: /media/museum/photos/hp85_la-tech_catalog_1.jpg
- title: REAR
subtitle: ''
text: |-
The expansions housing is here fitted with:\
**(1)** a ROM drawer module\
**(2)** a 128 KB RAM module\
**(3)** a Serial interface module
Lot of expansion modules were developped for the HP-85.
image: /media/museum/photos/hp_85_back_1.jpg
- title: 'REAR #2'
subtitle: ''
text: Thanks to [La-Tech-Renewal (Ebay Seller)](http://myworld.ebay.com/la-tech-renewal/) for this picture
image: /media/museum/photos/hp85_la-tech_rear_1.jpg
- title: ROM DRAWER MODULES
subtitle: ''
text: |-
Each ROM module could receive up to 6 ROM chips used for I/O or peripherals management, or offering advanced BASIC routines.\
The ROM chips pictured are:\
**(1)** General I/O routines\
**(2)** Statistic routines\
**(3)** Advanced programmer routines\
**(4)** Printer-plotter management
image: /media/museum/photos/hp_85_romdrawer_1.jpg
- title: PRINTER & DC100 DRIVE
subtitle: ''
text: |-
The thermal printer operates in both alphanumeric (128 ASCII character set) and graphics mode. The full character set can be underlined. The printer speed is 2 lines per second.
Cardridge rewind time is 29 seconds, search speed is 60 inches per second, data transfer speed is 10 inches per second and the tape length is 141 feet.\
When turned on, the HP 85 looks for a program called "AUTOST" on the tape and executes it if it's found.
image: /media/museum/photos/hp_85_printer_1.jpg
- title: PRINTER CLOSE-UP
subtitle: ''
text: Notice the contrast ajustment **(1)** and... the genuine HP roll of thermal paper!
image: /media/museum/photos/hp_85_printer_2.jpg
- title: SOME OF THE CARTRIDGE TAPES
subtitle: ''
text: Thanks to [La-Tech-Renewal (Ebay Seller)](http://myworld.ebay.com/la-tech-renewal/) for this picture
image: /media/museum/photos/hp85_la-tech_tapes.jpg
- title: A DC100 CARTRIDGE
subtitle: ''
text: Each cardridge can hold 780 program records consisting of 192 KB each, or 850 data records of 210 KB. There can be a maximum of 42 named files per cardridge.
image: /media/museum/photos/hp_85_dc100cartridge_1.jpg
- title: MANUALS SET
subtitle: ''
text: This is a part of manuals delivered with the HP-85. Each of them is very clear and detailed.
image: /media/museum/photos/hp_85_manualset_1.jpg
- title: INSIDE
subtitle: ''
text: |-
Electronic part of the HP-85 is reliable, clear and really well designed. We can consider it as the most accomplished design of the computer industry of the time.
**(1)** Video board\
**(2)** Power regulation board\
**(3)** Printer mechanism\
**(4)** Logic board
image: /media/museum/photos/hp_85_inside_1.jpg
- title: LOGIC BOARD
subtitle: ''
text: |-
This board only contains main components of the computer. All of the secondary and passive components are located in video and power boards.
**(1)** Expansion connectors cable\
**(2)** Power board cable\
**(3)** Printer - tape drive cable\
**(4)** 16 KB RAM memory chips\
**(5)** Processor and HP custom I/O chips\
**(6)** 32 KB ROM chips\
**(7)** Video board cable
image: /media/museum/photos/hp_85_logicboard_1.jpg
- title: PRINTER UNIT
subtitle: ''
text: |-
Printer and tape drive unit.
Notice the surrounded signatures. One founds inside the machine about 15 different quality control signatures of the guy who built it.
image: /media/museum/photos/hp_85_printer_3.jpg
- title: COMPLETE SYSTEM
subtitle: ''
text: '... with plotter, printer and double disk-drive unit'
image: /media/museum/photos/hp_85_complete-system.jpg
adverts:
- title: PROMOTIONAL PICT.
subtitle: ''
text: The HP-150 was widely used in industry by engineers and scientists.
image: /media/museum/pubs/hp_85_prmpict_1.jpg
- title: U.S. ADVERT (1980)
subtitle: ''
text: |-
Advert says:
Imagine the new world that would unfold before you if you had a powerful , portable, completely integrated computer system at your personal disposal. And at an affordable price. That's exactly what Hewlett-Packard has just created.\
At the lab, on your desk or in your study this 20-pound, self-contained system provides professional computing power when and where you need it. That means no more waiting for data to be remotely processed and returned.
image: /media/museum/pubs/hp_85_pub_1.jpg
- title: US ADVERT, FEB 1982
subtitle: ''
text: Courtesy of **[Attached](http://www.aci.com.pl/mwichary/)**
image: /media/museum/pubs/hp_85_pub_s2.jpg
- title: FRENCH ADVERT (JAN. 1982)
subtitle: ''
text: '"List your technical requirements, Hewlett-Packard is ready to answer"'
image: /media/museum/pubs/hp_hp85_pub_enoncez.jpg
hardware:
- title: SERIAL INTERFACE
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/hp_85_serialinterf_1.jpg
- title: HPIB INTERFACE
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/hp_85_hpibinterf_1.jpg
- title: 128 KB RAM MODULE
subtitle: ''
text: This module only can be used as a virtual disk.
image: /media/museum/hardware/hp_85_128kbinterf_1.jpg
- title: CARRYING CASE
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/hp_hp85_carrying-case_1.jpg
screenshots:
- title: ASSEMBLER MODULE
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/hp_85_assemblermodule_s1.jpg
emulators:
- title: Emulator for the HP85B & HP86B/87
url: http://olivier.2.smet.googlepages.com/HPSERIES80
platform: Windows
text: Open source GNU licence
- title: HP 86 / 87(+) emulator
url: http://www2.akso.de/files/series_80/Emulator/
platform: Windows
text: ''
links:
- title: HP Series 80 Web Site
url: http://www.series80.org/
text: Nice website dedicated to HP Series 80 computers (manuals, programs, ROMs, articles, accessories, etc.).
- title: The Museum of HP Calculators
url: http://www.hpmuseum.org/hp85.htm
text: Some useful infos here
- title: Web Wiz CAPTCHA
url: http://www.webwizcaptcha.com
text: Lots of further info and links on the Series 80
comments:
- author: Jules Pitsker (USA)
date: Saturday 12th March 2011
text: |-
I had a poster of one on my closet door. It featured the HP-85 in the foreground, superimposed on an outer space background. A comet-tail animation came from the rear of the machine, as if it was coming right at you.\
There was also an image of the Capricornus zodiac symbol, for whatever reason.\
The poster was given to me by a friend of the family, who happened to be a chemist for the Nabisco company, circa 1981. Even though I owned a C-64 from 1982-1986, my childhood perception was that the HP-85 must have been more of a ''real'' computer.
- author: Pdubu (Camano Island, WA)
date: Friday 18th June 2010
text: First computer I ever used. My high school got four of them when HP put a small plant in our town. 20 students, 4 machines, 50 minutes, not a lot of time for debugging our BASIC snowmen and other simple programs since most all of us where hunt-and-peck keyboarders. Good little machines though. Simple, only one cord and no need for printer ink. And as small as it was, that little amber screen wasn''t difficult to read (then again I was using my younger eyes).
- author: RENALDO (Seattle, WA)
date: Friday 25th July 2003
text: When I went to the Byte Shop in Seattle, WA in 1980 to buy a Compucolor 2 they were closing out on (Thank God I bought an Atari 800!). They had some HP-85's. I was really impressed by their capabilities and I drooled over buying one, I couldn't afford them at $5000 (Atari's went for $1200). While I was there a well dressed gentleman came in and inquired about computers for his business. He was shown the HP-85 and said he would take two of them. He pulled out his AE card and the salesman looked very pleased with his sale.
- author: wesmorgan1 (USA )
date: Tuesday 30th August 2011
text: I used the HP-85 back in the early 1980s at the University of Kentucky. The College of Engineering Library had 4-5 of these machines, and I found them fascinating. As a matter of fact, I just found my archive tape of HP-85 code. It''s a pity that I don''t have anything on which to read the tape...\*sigh\*
- author: Johnny Bjoern Rasmussen (Denmark)
date: Thursday 25th March 2010
text: For info and manuals go to http://www.series80.org/
- author: Chris Gegg (Charlotte NC)
date: Thursday 29th April 2004
text: |-
If anyone has an HP85 they want to sell, or even just the manuals, I am interested. Heck, even if you could just scan the manuals and send as a PDF.\
Maybe someone knows where I can see the manuals online.\
Any help would be appreciated.\
Thanks,\
Chris\
gegg@alumni.wfu.edu
- author: BRN (Somewhere in Cyberspace)
date: Saturday 7th February 2004
text: How could anyone see anything very well on such a small monitor?!
- author: Franz Vida (Germany)
date: Friday 7th November 2003
text: I can unsecure HP 85 basic programs without password. If someone is interested please let me know.
- author: joel (montpellier)
date: Monday 19th May 2003
text: |-
hello, i have just fogotten to send my mail, in the last message !\
bye
- author: joel (montpellier)
date: Monday 19th May 2003
text: |-
i have just buy one of this computer. :-)\
it is a very nice computer.\
i like it !\
is someone have some programms, for sell, or want to give it to someone, please send me a mail.\
thanks, joel
- author: michael (ky)
date: Wednesday 12th March 2003
text: I saw one at a indoor flea market for $20. Only one I've seen in person wish I had bought it now :(
related:
- /museum/hewlett-packard-hp-86
- /museum/hewlett-packard-hp-87
oc_id: 353
source:
url: https://web.archive.org/web/20221209031007/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=353
date: '2022-12-09'
---
The HP-85 was a famous all-in-one computer which met a great worldwide success thanks to its high reliability and ease of use. It featured a 8 bit processor, 16 KB of RAM, a built-in 5" CRT display, tape drive, thermal printer and four I/O ports.
The HP custom processor had 64 8-bit registers but no accumulators. Even slow, it offered outstanding performances in math calculations.
The display offered a full screen editor and and a ROLL key allowing to scroll the screen window up and down through a 48 line (three full screens) buffer .
The quiet and quite fast printer could print a hard copy of the screen in text or graphic mode as well as direct programs outputs.
The built-in tape cartridge system used a common DC100 data cartridge that could hold 195 KB of program files, binary files or data files. Up to 42 file names could be stored in the directory of the tape. A searching function made a file to be found in less than 1 mn. When the system was switched on, the tape drive automatically searched a program called 'Autost' and ran it if found.
HP also provided a large range of interface modules to be plugged in the expansion slots. The system could then manage several peripherals through GPIB or Serial ports: FDD unit, printers, plotters, etc. A 'ROM Drawer' module allowed up to six ROM chips to be inserted. They expanded the capabilities of the internal BASIC interpreter, provided additional languages (Assembler, Pascal), and I/O routines for external devices.
A quite special "feature" of the HP-85 was that the screen blanked whenever the printer was printing or the cartridge was accessed!
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