Heathkit H89 computer
Following the success of their Heathkit H8 computer from 1977,
Heathkit released the Heathkit H89 "all-in-one" computer in late 1979.
This system was available as both a kit to be assembled by the purchaser (model H89), or as an assembled and tested system (model WH89), although the WH89 cost $700 more.
The H89 is both a general-purpose terminal and a high-quality computer, with separate Z80 processors and circuity for each function.
The H89 comes with the MTR-88 'monitor' program in ROM, which allows the user to operate at machine
level or use the system without disk drives or cassette tape.
Software included with the H89 includes:
After 1979, Heathkit systems started appearing labeled as "Zenith Data Systems". The Zenith Radio Company had bought-out Heath in an attempt to enter the personal computer business, and shortly afterward stopped offering electronic kits of any kind - it was becoming cheaper, and certainly easier, to just buy your electronics already assembled and tested.
| 1979, 1980 Heathkit prices | ||
| part number | description | price |
| H88 | All-in-one computer kit - no floppy | $1,350 |
| H89 | All-in-one computer kit | $1,695 |
| WH89 | All-in-one computer - assembled | $2,895 |
| H88-2 | 16K RAM chip set | $150 |
| H88-3 | Two-port serial I/O interface | $100 |
| H88-4 | Floppy disk storage system | $490 |
| H88-5 | Audio cassette interface | $75 |
| H88-6 | Backplate modification kit | $50 |
| H89-16 | System software | $100 |
| H8-21 | Microsoft BASIC computer language | $150 |
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