website/content/museum/exxon-500-series.md

---
title: EXXON 500 Series
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Professional Computer
origins:
- U.S.A.
years:
- '1982'
cpus:
- Z80-A
params:
  name: 500 Series
  image: /media/museum/photos/exxon_520_system_1.jpg
  company: /companies/exxon
  company_name: EXXON
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: 500 Series
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: Exxon
  - 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 97 keys with 12 function keys and arrow keys
  - label: CPU
    value: Z80-A
  - label: SPEED
    value: 4 Mhz
  - label: CO-PROCESSOR
    value: None
  - label: RAM
    value: 64 KB (510 version) or 128 to 256 KB (520-530 versions)
  - label: VRAM
    value: Unknown
  - label: ROM
    value: 1 KB (Boot loader)
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 80 columns 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: Parallel printer, FDD unit, serial (option)
  - label: BUILT IN MEDIA
    value: |-
      External dual 5.25'' 600 KB FDD unit (510 - 520 versions)\
      5 or 10 MB HDD (530 version)
  - label: OS
    value: CP/M 2.2
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: Built-in power supply unit
  - label: PRICE
    value: $9200 (510 version)
  comments:
  - author: Dave (Pennsylvania. US)
    date: Sunday 17th June 2018
    text: I have the Exxon QYX machines in my storeroom, no manual with them, they r up for sale. If any one has interest email me. June 2018
  - author: Stephen D. McKenna (United States)
    date: Saturday 16th June 2018
    text: My father was Exxon Corporate (law Dept). I can recall him telling me, at the time, about the guy who invented the qwip (first real fax, before police departments had a clunky machine that transferred mug shots). He lived in the same building as my father as I recall and invented it there. He was an Exxon engineer, I recall. I cannot track down on the internet but, Exxon acquired Emerson Electric based on some professor demonstrating an electric motor that promised incredible efficiencies. After announcement those knowledgeable said the guy was well known and it had been repeatedly proven that the technology would not scale. Exxon sheepishly spun it off a few years later at a loss. That would have been after Exxon Office Products.
  - author: David gallaher
    date: Saturday 24th December 2016
    text: I too have an 50 or 510 system. These are likely the last 2 in existence. I have received offers from collectors but I would rather see this unit in a museum.
  - author: Terry Tellone (USA)
    date: Wednesday 26th August 2015
    text: I worked for Exxon Office Systems as the Branch Operations Manager in Chicago. I remember my staff dressing up as the Exxon 500 components for our annual Halloween party. EOS tried to market the 500 as a PC, but by then, the "real" PC had hit the market and made this "computer" instantly extinct. EOS also sold the first fax machine, Qwip Systems (my original employer), Vydec (the giant text editor that had a built-in desk - weighed a few hundred pounds!), and the Qyx Memory typewriter (which could retain about two sentences in its memory). I was the last person to leave the Chicago branch offices, after terminating the entire staff of over 100 employees, boxing up all the files and shipping them to Exxon corporate, and selling all of the furniture and artwork. I locked the door behind me and cried all the way home. We lost about 150 million dollars for Exxon, and they never did anything to stop it. One day, we received a fax saying the party was over. It was a great company, great
      people, but not the greatest products or business model.
  - author: KevinH (New Jersey/USA)
    date: Wednesday 9th October 2013
    text: |-
      I started at Vydec in November 1978$ by that time Zilog was already a division of Exxon Information Systems, as was Vydec. Vydec was eventually renamed (or "evolved into") Exxon Office Systems, which produced the systems you are displaying.

      The core hardware and software for the Exxon 500 series was purchased from a company called "Compucorp". To the best of my recollection, the hardware was retained essentially unchanged but repackaged, and the software was more substantially rewritten. (The system could boot CP/M but the primary OS Exxon sold it with was proprietary to Compucorp.)

      However, prior to the 500 series release, Vydec produced and sold a series of digital hardware-based "text editors" from roughly 1976 until about the 1982 release of the first 500. These "text editors" were the 1137(?), 1146(?), 1200, 1400, and 1800.

      The base version of all of the Vydec "text editors" except the 1800 had NO microprocessor$ all of the input, display, editing, and printing features were implemented in (mostly) 7400-series digital logic.

      Added features for some of the "text editors" involved additional hardware which used the Intel 8008(!) microprocessor and later, the Zilog Z80.

      I believe that the Vydec 1800 was the only one of the series that actually required the additional hardware containing the Z80, being the last of the series.

      Photos and info. about the "Vydec 1800" can be found in various places on the web.

      $$-Kevin H.
  - author: Richard (UK)
    date: Tuesday 2nd November 2010
    text: I still have an Exxon, one of the 500 series. It has been in my loft for about 20 years and was working when I put it there. Recently I have brought it down. Does it have any value?
  oc_id: 617
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230608081756/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=617
    date: '2023-06-08'
---

Exxon Computer Division, a branch of the Exxon Oil Company, sold this computer in the U.S.A and Europe.

This computer was built in 1982. The system is composed of CPU box, monitor, dual disk drives and a keyboard. It was delivered withe software on 5.2 disks, manuals, training materials.

This office computer was primarily a word processor with calenders, ticklers and file sharing capabilities. It ran on the Z-80 chipset with a 64 KB architecture running a CPM like OS. In some regards it is a monument to the arrogance of Senior Exxon management who felt that they were so good at managing an oil company, that surely they could manage a successful computer company.

Exxon owned Zilog, the creators of the Z80, which they purchased in 1980. The Z80 based Exxon 510 was the first system to grow out of that purchase. It has been argued by some the if Exxon had not purchased Zilog, that Zilog left alone would have rivaled Intel today. Exxon Office Systems was based on the purchase of Vydec and Zilog with the machines being developed by Compucorp and the printers being built by Qume.

Unfortunately, Exxon really mismanaged the companies and they sold off the business in 1985.

The **510** version was the basic 64 KB system.\
The **520** version offered 128 KB of RAM expandable up to 256 KB.\
The **530** version featured a 5 MB or 10 MB HDD.

---

Contributors: David Gallaher

<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>