Kaypro New 2

Model number 81-031

It falls under the FCC license of the general Kaypro 2 ID CUL7XLKP2.

We are introducing a computer priced to dominate your 1984 Christmas sales. At $995, the New Kaypro 2 (or "New 2") is similar to the Kaypro 2 with a couple of exceptions. The New 2 features one double-sided, double-density disk drive with 390K of storage. The software bundle includes WordStar, M-Basic, CP/M and a single drive copy program.

Just as exciting is the New 2 Upgrade Kit. Priced at $495, it includes another 390K of disk storage, along with DataStar, InfoStar, MailMerge, The Word Plus, etc. But the best part...the dealer margin on the New 2 Upgrade Kit is a generous 50%!

Next, an inexpensive version of the popular Kaypro Business Pak is now available. The Junior Business Pak features the New 2 computer and software, leter quality printer, cable, and the popular "Type - It" software program. All this for only $1,495!
(Dealer Newsletter, November 1984)

Kaypro has done its best to confuse prospective customers by introducing a "New 2." This new system has the standard 84 board like the 2-84 but it has one 390K drive rather than two 191K units. Retail price is $995. My guess is that this system will be particularly popular with schools and other institutions that currently purchase large numbers of Apples. The only software packages included with the system are WordStar, MBASIC, and a single-drive copy program.

Also, I've gotten reports that the New 2 has CP/M in ROM. [This is questionable since I haven't seen it on any New 2s.] That's good because you don't need to put CP/M on your disks. That's bad because we may not be able to sell ROM upgrades for them (at least not without including a license for CP/M with each).

Kaypro is offering a junior business package that includes the New 2, and the Kaypro letter quality (actually a Juki) printer for $1495. Kaypro also has a New 2 upgrade kit that includes a 390K drive with Ca1cStar, InfoStar, and ProfitPlan. The kit retails for $495.

If you don't need the software from the upgrade kit, you can simply purchase a Shugart or Mitsubishi double sided drive and plug it into the New 2. The power and data connectors are already installed. You just remove the cabinet top and the little drive cover and slide the new drive in. So, you could effectively have a Kaypro 2X (minus a little software) for $995 plus about $135 for an additional drive.

Or, you can purchase the New 2 and then add MicroSphere's RAM disk as the second drive. That'll give you the advantages of two drives and the advantages of a RAM disk for little more than the price of a standard Kaypro 2. Such a deal.
(Micro Cornucopia, Feb-Mar 1985)