Kaypro 16 - Revision history

FrankRahman: /* Release */

2026-08-27T17:39:18Z

Release

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:39, 27 August 2026
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	Kaypro has just announced the Kaypro 16, Kaypro's new IBM compatible computer. This is the one you may have been waiting for ...but there is good news and bad news.		Kaypro has just announced the Kaypro 16, Kaypro's new IBM compatible computer. This is the one you may have been waiting for ...but there is good news and bad news.

	The good news is that it seems to be 100% IBM compatible. It uses the Phoenix system and MicroSoft's MS-DOS. It looks the same as any other Kaypro except for the keyboard, which has the IBM layout with function keys.		The good news is that it seems to be 100% IBM compatible. [This is a questionable statment based on later reports.] It uses the Phoenix system and MicroSoft's MS-DOS. It looks the same as any other Kaypro except for the keyboard, which has the IBM layout with function keys.

	The bad news is that it is not compatible with any other Kaypro computer. It is not a co-power computer. That is, it is only 16 bit and will not run any 8 bit		The bad news is that it is not compatible with any other Kaypro computer. It is not a co-power computer. That is, it is only 16 bit and will not run any 8 bit

FrankRahman at 17:36, 27 August 2026

2026-08-27T17:36:54Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:36, 27 August 2026
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	Only Compaq computers realized that the software market would require a 100% compatible BIOS without breaking IBM's copyright. Quickly the market focused on this 100% compatibility. So this model didn't work well enough to keep Kaypro competitive in the market.		Only Compaq computers realized that the software market would require a 100% compatible BIOS without breaking IBM's copyright. Quickly the market focused on this 100% compatibility. So this model didn't work well enough to keep Kaypro competitive in the market.

	The Kaypro PC and 286i would use a Phoenix BIOS to be 100% compatible but by then the market was beginning to be too competitive for a small business like Kaypro to compete.		It appears that the original Phoenix BIOS used in the Kaypro 16 was not yet 100% compatible with the IBM BIOS.

			The Kaypro PC and 286i would use what appears to be an updated Phoenix BIOS to be much closer to being 100% compatible but by then the market was beginning to be too competitive for a small business like Kaypro to compete.

	==Specs==		==Specs==

FrankRahman: /* Pre-Release */

2026-08-17T21:32:20Z

Pre-Release

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:32, 17 August 2026
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	==Pre-Release==		==Pre-Release==
	"The 16-Bit Microcomputer will be portable, featuring a ten megabyte Winchester disk drive and software compatibility with the IBM XT personal computer. This system addresses the growing library of IBM-type software and will be available in the spring of 1984"<br>		"The 16-Bit Microcomputer will be portable, featuring a ten megabyte Winchester disk drive and software compatibility with the IBM XT personal computer. This system addresses the growing library of IBM-type software and will be available in the spring of 1984."<br>
	(Annual Report, 1983)		(Annual Report, 1983)

FrankRahman: /* Development */

2026-08-17T21:32:00Z

Development

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:32, 17 August 2026
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	([[Interview with Marshall Mosley]])		([[Interview with Marshall Mosley]])
	</blockquote>		</blockquote>

			==Pre-Release==
			"The 16-Bit Microcomputer will be portable, featuring a ten megabyte Winchester disk drive and software compatibility with the IBM XT personal computer. This system addresses the growing library of IBM-type software and will be available in the spring of 1984"<br>
			(Annual Report, 1983)

	==Release==		==Release==

FrankRahman: /* Release */

2026-08-11T13:27:13Z

Release

@@ Line 38: / Line 38: @@
 ==Release==
 <blockquote>
 Kaypro has just announced the Kaypro 16, Kaypro's new IBM compatible computer.  This is the one you may have been waiting for ...but there is good news and bad news.

FrankRahman: /* Release */

2026-04-11T00:00:04Z

Release

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:00, 11 April 2026
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	A standard K16 system has 256K of memory and can be purchased with or upgraded to either 512K or 640K. The same multivideo card used in the KPC is now used in the Kaypro 16E family the "E" is for enhanced video. A Kaypro 16E comes in a standardsize Kaypro chassis."<br>		A standard K16 system has 256K of memory and can be purchased with or upgraded to either 512K or 640K. The same multivideo card used in the KPC is now used in the Kaypro 16E family the "E" is for enhanced video. A Kaypro 16E comes in a standardsize Kaypro chassis."<br>
	(Profiles, January 1986)		(Profiles, January 1986)

			"They are gearing up to manufacture the boards themselves, but meanwhile they are buying them from the designer, Personal Computer Products Inc."<br>
			(Microcornucopia, February-March 1985)

	==News==		==News==

FrankRahman at 02:38, 15 February 2026

2026-02-15T02:38:53Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:38, 15 February 2026
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	There are two models of the Kaypro 16. The Kaypro 16 model 81-030 is a single floppy drive version, with a hard drive. The Kaypro 16 2E is a double floppy version. The cases are fundamentally different on the front to allow for the second floppy drive.		There are two models of the Kaypro 16. The Kaypro 16 model 81-030 is a single floppy drive version, with a hard drive. The Kaypro 16 2E is a double floppy version. The cases are fundamentally different on the front to allow for the second floppy drive.

			The K16 was an attempt to produce a DOS compatible machine. Many computer manufactures tried using a similar strategy of being mostly compatible but not exactly compatible. The problem was that some software did not work correctly.

			Only Compaq computers realized that the software market would require a 100% compatible BIOS without breaking IBM's copyright. Quickly the market focused on this 100% compatibility. So this model didn't work well enough to keep Kaypro competitive in the market.

			The Kaypro PC and 286i would use a Phoenix BIOS to be 100% compatible but by then the market was beginning to be too competitive for a small business like Kaypro to compete.

	==Specs==		==Specs==

FrankRahman at 00:03, 15 February 2026

2026-02-15T00:03:55Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:03, 15 February 2026
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	{\|		{\|
			\|-
			\|
			[[File:K16 2E normal front.jpg\|400px]]<br>
			A Kaypro 16 2E (81-039)
	\|-		\|-
	\|		\|
	[[File:K16 2E Front 1.jpg]]		[[File:K16 2E Front 1.jpg]]<br>
			A Kaypro 16 2E with a hard drive replacing the second floppy drive.
	\|-		\|-
	\|		\|
	[[File:Kaypro 16.jpg\|400px]]		[[File:Kaypro 16.jpg\|400px]]<br>
			Marketing Image of a Kaypro 16 (81-030)<br>Note that there are two LED lights on the front (One is for power and the other is the hard drive access light)
	\|}		\|}



			There are two models of the Kaypro 16. The Kaypro 16 model 81-030 is a single floppy drive version, with a hard drive. The Kaypro 16 2E is a double floppy version. The cases are fundamentally different on the front to allow for the second floppy drive.

	==Specs==		==Specs==

FrankRahman at 00:19, 31 December 2025

2025-12-31T00:19:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:19, 31 December 2025
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	A standard K16 system has 256K of memory and can be purchased with or upgraded to either 512K or 640K. The same multivideo card used in the KPC is now used in the Kaypro 16E family the "E" is for enhanced video. A Kaypro 16E comes in a standardsize Kaypro chassis."<br>		A standard K16 system has 256K of memory and can be purchased with or upgraded to either 512K or 640K. The same multivideo card used in the KPC is now used in the Kaypro 16E family the "E" is for enhanced video. A Kaypro 16E comes in a standardsize Kaypro chassis."<br>
	(Profiles ~~V3 N6~~)		(Profiles, January 1986)

	==News==		==News==

FrankRahman: /* Updates */

2025-12-05T01:30:11Z

Updates

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:30, 5 December 2025
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	"The K-16 is now offered with a 512K upgrade board, which will be installed for you at the factory. The suggested retail price is $3,550; with your cost at $2485. Also the 640K update board is currently under discussion and full details will be presented next month."<br>		"The K-16 is now offered with a 512K upgrade board, which will be installed for you at the factory. The suggested retail price is $3,550; with your cost at $2485. Also the 640K update board is currently under discussion and full details will be presented next month."<br>
	(Dealer Newsletter, January 1985)		(Dealer Newsletter, January 1985)

			"The KAYPRO 16 computer is now being offered with a 512 upgrade installed. This fully tested unit will increase ROM memory from 256K TO 512K. The suggested
			retail price is $3595.00, which covers installation, labor, and warranty."<br>
			(Kugram, Mar-Apr 1985)

	==IBM Compatibility==		==IBM Compatibility==