Kaycomp Machines - Revision history

FrankRahman: /* The Case Design */

2026-03-05T15:02:32Z

The Case Design

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:02, 5 March 2026
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	(The Tribune [Likely the San Diego Evening Tribune], May 13, 1982)		(The Tribune [Likely the San Diego Evening Tribune], May 13, 1982)

			{\|
			\|-
			\|
	[[File:Enginnering the Case.jpg\|400px]]<br>		[[File:Enginnering the Case.jpg\|400px]]<br>
	(The Tribune [Likely the San Diego Evening Tribune], May 13, 1982)~~<br>~~		(The Tribune [Likely the San Diego Evening Tribune], May 13, 1982)
			\|\|
	This image shows an empty chassis designed for the vertical drives. Also note that the keyboard has a black numeric keypad.		This image shows an empty chassis designed for the vertical drives. Also note that the keyboard has a black numeric keypad.
			\|}

	===Why did they move the monitor to one side?===		===Why did they move the monitor to one side?===

FrankRahman: /* The Case Design */

2026-03-05T14:59:27Z

The Case Design

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:59, 5 March 2026
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	(The Tribune [Likely the San Diego Evening Tribune], May 13, 1982)		(The Tribune [Likely the San Diego Evening Tribune], May 13, 1982)

	[[File:Enginnering the Case.jpg\|400px]]
			[[File:Enginnering the Case.jpg\|400px]]<br>
			(The Tribune [Likely the San Diego Evening Tribune], May 13, 1982)<br>
			This image shows an empty chassis designed for the vertical drives. Also note that the keyboard has a black numeric keypad.

	===Why did they move the monitor to one side?===		===Why did they move the monitor to one side?===

FrankRahman: /* The prototype evolution of the Kaycomp Machine */

2026-03-05T14:54:06Z

The prototype evolution of the Kaycomp Machine

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:54, 5 March 2026
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	\|\| This prototype/production machine appears to match the "Kaycomp" machines/keyboards that have surfaced in the past decade. The monitor has shifted to the left and both vertical floppy drives are now on the right. This was due to minimizing the screens affect on the disk drives and vice-versa. The keyboard case also matches the one that we have seen on later models. The keycaps are all black rather then the black and blue common in the production machines. This matches machine #2767 but not the Kaycomp keyboard for #43168. It is a Keytronic keyboard. This version has the vent holes at the top sides of the case. The contrast knob is on the front. Based on my conversations with Janice and Micheal Batter the colors and font were designed by them. (Interface Age, October 1982)		\|\| This prototype/production machine appears to match the "Kaycomp" machines/keyboards that have surfaced in the past decade. The monitor has shifted to the left and both vertical floppy drives are now on the right. This was due to minimizing the screens affect on the disk drives and vice-versa. The keyboard case also matches the one that we have seen on later models. The keycaps are all black rather then the black and blue common in the production machines. This matches machine #2767 but not the Kaycomp keyboard for #43168. It is a Keytronic keyboard. This version has the vent holes at the top sides of the case. The contrast knob is on the front. Based on my conversations with Janice and Micheal Batter the colors and font were designed by them. (Interface Age, October 1982)
	\|}		\|}

			===The Case Design===

			I have spoken to Janice and Michael confirming their part in the design of the case.

	"The metal case ... was designed by Kay's daughter, Janice, and her husband, Michael Batter, of the San Diego architectural firm of Batter-Kay."<br>		"The metal case ... was designed by Kay's daughter, Janice, and her husband, Michael Batter, of the San Diego architectural firm of Batter-Kay."<br>

FrankRahman at 14:52, 5 March 2026

2026-03-05T14:52:02Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:52, 5 March 2026
Line 45:		Line 45:
	\|\| This prototype/production machine appears to match the "Kaycomp" machines/keyboards that have surfaced in the past decade. The monitor has shifted to the left and both vertical floppy drives are now on the right. This was due to minimizing the screens affect on the disk drives and vice-versa. The keyboard case also matches the one that we have seen on later models. The keycaps are all black rather then the black and blue common in the production machines. This matches machine #2767 but not the Kaycomp keyboard for #43168. It is a Keytronic keyboard. This version has the vent holes at the top sides of the case. The contrast knob is on the front. Based on my conversations with Janice and Micheal Batter the colors and font were designed by them. (Interface Age, October 1982)		\|\| This prototype/production machine appears to match the "Kaycomp" machines/keyboards that have surfaced in the past decade. The monitor has shifted to the left and both vertical floppy drives are now on the right. This was due to minimizing the screens affect on the disk drives and vice-versa. The keyboard case also matches the one that we have seen on later models. The keycaps are all black rather then the black and blue common in the production machines. This matches machine #2767 but not the Kaycomp keyboard for #43168. It is a Keytronic keyboard. This version has the vent holes at the top sides of the case. The contrast knob is on the front. Based on my conversations with Janice and Micheal Batter the colors and font were designed by them. (Interface Age, October 1982)
	\|}		\|}

			"The metal case ... was designed by Kay's daughter, Janice, and her husband, Michael Batter, of the San Diego architectural firm of Batter-Kay."<br>
			(The Tribune [Likely the San Diego Evening Tribune], May 13, 1982)

			[[File:Enginnering the Case.jpg\|400px]]

	===Why did they move the monitor to one side?===		===Why did they move the monitor to one side?===

FrankRahman: /* Case */

2026-03-05T14:42:02Z

Case

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:42, 5 March 2026
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	===Case===		===Case===
	"The metal case was manufactured by Vista Industrial in Vista, ..."<br>		"The metal case was manufactured by Vista Industrial in Vista, ..."<br>
	(The Tribune, May 13, 1982)		(The Tribune [Likely the San Diego Evening Tribune], May 13, 1982)

	==Pricing==		==Pricing==

FrankRahman: /* Suppliers */

2026-03-05T14:38:38Z

Suppliers

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:38, 5 March 2026
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	===Keyboards===		===Keyboards===
	[[Keyboard models]]		[[Keyboard models]]

			===Case===
			"The metal case was manufactured by Vista Industrial in Vista, ..."<br>
			(The Tribune, May 13, 1982)

	==Pricing==		==Pricing==

FrankRahman: /* Kayboards */

2026-01-01T21:25:11Z

Kayboards

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:25, 1 January 2026
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	(Electronic News, April 19, 1982)		(Electronic News, April 19, 1982)

	===~~Kayboards~~===		===Keyboards===
	[[Keyboard models]]		[[Keyboard models]]

FrankRahman at 15:07, 21 September 2025

2025-09-21T15:07:06Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:07, 21 September 2025
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			{\|
			\|-
			\| [[File:Kaycomp Final version.jpg\|400px]]
			\|}

			{\| class="wikitable"
			\| Processor: \|\| Z80, 2.5 MHz
			\|-
			\| Memory: \|\| 64K
			\|-
			\| Disk Storage: \|\| Two Double Density Single Sided Tandem floppy drives (195K)
			\|-
			\| Ports: \|\| Modem/RS232C Interface, Centronics parallel printer interface
			\|-
			\| Keyboard: \|\| Detachable full typewriter keyboard with 14 key numeric pad and 4 cursor control keys. Upper and lower case.
			\|}
	==The prototype evolution of the Kaycomp Machine==		==The prototype evolution of the Kaycomp Machine==
	(I believe I have these prototypes in order of development based on an evolution of the design. If you have any evidence to the contrary please let me know.)		(I believe I have these prototypes in order of development based on an evolution of the design. If you have any evidence to the contrary please let me know.)

FrankRahman: /* The similarities to the Compaq Portable */

2025-08-11T13:41:32Z

The similarities to the Compaq Portable

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:41, 11 August 2025
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	It is likely that besides some influence from the Osbourne's design Kaypro and Compaq designed their machines independently of knowing of the other design.		It is likely that besides some influence from the Osbourne's design Kaypro and Compaq designed their machines independently of knowing of the other's design.

	==Suppliers==		==Suppliers==

FrankRahman: /* The similarities to the Compaq Portable */

2025-08-11T13:40:55Z

The similarities to the Compaq Portable

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:40, 11 August 2025
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	[[File:Compaq portable drawing.jpg\|400px]]<br>(Image from Open, Rod Canion, 9)		[[File:Compaq portable drawing.jpg\|400px]]<br>(Image from Open, Rod Canion, 9)
			\|\|
			[[File:Osbourne.jpg\|400px]]<br>(Image from sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk)
	\|}		\|}