Heathkit H11
| Manufacturer | Heathkit |
|---|---|
| Type | Personal computer |
| Released | 1978 |
| Introductory price | US$1295 (equivalent to $6,392 in 2025)[1] (kit) or US$1595 (equivalent to $7,873 in 2025)[1] (assembled)[2] |
| Discontinued | 1982[3] |
| Media | optional 8-inch floppy disks, optional paper tape |
| Operating system | optional HT-11 |
| CPU | LSI-11 clocked at 2.5 MHz |
| Memory | 4kword base system, maximum optional 32kword RAM, 8kword ROM (2 bytes/word) |
| Related | PDP-11 |
The Heathkit H11 Computer is an early kit-format personal computer introduced in 1978. It is essentially a Digital Equipment PDP-11 in a small-form-factor case, designed by Heathkit. The H11 is one of the first 16-bit personal computers, at a list price of US$1,295,[2] (equivalent to $6,392 in 2025) but it also requires at least a computer terminal and some form of storage to make it useful. It was too expensive for most Heathkit customers, and was discontinued in 1982.[3]
Background
The Heath Company, makers of electronic kits, announced its first two digital computers in 1977, including the H11 and less-expensive Heathkit H8. The company hoped that computers would soon provide more than 20% of revenue.[4]
Specifications
The H11 features:[5]
- Processor – LSI-11 (KD11-HA half-size or "double-height" card)
- Speed – 2.5 MHz
- ROM – 8 kWords (16 KB) (max)
- RAM – 32 kWords (64 KB) (max)
- Slots – 7 Q-bus slots
- Storage – H27 8-inch floppy drive (2 256 KB 8-inch single sided drives) or paper tape
- I/O – serial (RS-232) or parallel ports
- Operating system – HT-11 (a simplified version of RT-11)[6]
- Instruction set – PDP-11/40 instruction set
- Languages – BASIC, Focal and others
H11 owners were eligible for DECUS membership, giving them access to that organization's library of software.[4] Initial memory limitations restrict the selection of system software, but the system RAM can be expanded to 32 kWords x 16 bit. Many PDP-11 operating systems and programs run without trouble. The system will also work with most DEC PDP-11 equipment, including many Q-bus compatible peripherals.
The H11 did not sell well. After discontinuation, a Heath/Zenith executive at a 1982 convention of Heath/Zenith owners told "a lonely H11 fan" that the new Zenith Z-100 "could run rings around the H11 ... The H11 is Sixties technology".[7]
See also
References
- ^ a b 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ a b Heathkit 1978 catalog pages retrieved 2011 July 11
- ^ a b Wise, Deborah (1982-09-13). "Heath joins Zenith to attract hobbyists, businesses". InfoWorld. p. 19. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
- ^ a b Surden, Esther (4 July 1977). "Heath Sees Future Revenues From DP". Computerworld. Vol. XI, no. 27. p. 35. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
- ^ 1977 advertising material from Heathkit of Benton Harbor, Michigan.
- ^ Software rReference Manual: Operating System Model HT11 for the H11 Digital Computer System (PDF). Heath Company. 1978.
- ^ Zimmerman, Frederick (Winter 1983). "HUGCon 1". Sextant. No. 4. pp. 7–34. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
External links
- Heathkit H-11 Computer, Heathkit Computer Advertisements, Decode Systems
- Computer Museum illustration of fully expanded H11 with the Heath/Zenith label.