Kits
For some time the microcomputer world was dominated by systems delivered in kit form. As most machines of the era were sold in small numbers, there was no reason to invest in automated manufacturing systems, leaving the final assembly to manual labor. Kits took advantage of this by offering the system at a low price point, and relying on the user to complete the expensive part, the final assembly. Kits were popular between 1975, with the introduction of the famous Altair 8800, but as sales volumes increased, kits became less common. The introduction of useful fully assembled machines in 1977 led to the rapid disappearance of kit systems for most users. The famed ZX81 is among the last of the large sellers in the kit market.
Some magazines published plans and printed circuit board layouts from which a reader could in principle duplicate the project, although usually commercially made boards could be ordered to expedite assembly. Other kits varied from etched, drilled, printed circuit boards and a parts list to packages containing cases, power supplies, and all interconnections. All kits required significant assembly by the user.
| Model | Processor | Year | Format | Remarks | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCELBI | Intel 8008 | 1974 | was the earliest commercial kit computer based on the Intel 8008 microprocessor. sold for embedded control applications. | ||
| Mark-8 | Intel 8008 | 1974 | Plans published, an etched board was available but constructors had to source all parts | ||
| MITS Altair 8800 | Intel 8080 | 1975 | Etched boards and parts | introduced S-100 bus | |
| COSMAC ELF | RCA 1802 | 1976 | |||
| Apple I | MOS Technology 6502 | 1976 | |||
| Nascom, Nascom 1 | Zilog Z80 | 1977 | |||
| Nascom 2 | Z80 | 1979 | |||
| Newbear 77-68 | Motorola 6800 | 1977 | |||
| Heathkit H8 | 8080 | 1977 | all parts, case and power supply, detailed instructions | Heathkit was a notable manufacturer of electronics kits | |
| Heathkit H11 | LSI-11 | 1977 | all parts, case and power supply, detailed instructions | A 16-bit microcomputer compatible with a PDP 11 | |
| Electronics Australia 77up2 aka "Baby 2650 | 2650 | 1977 | |||
| Netronics ELF II | RCA 1802 | 1977 | |||
| Quest SuperELF | RCA 1802 | ||||
| Elektor TV Games Computer | Signetics 2650 | 1979 | |||
| System 68 | Motorola 6800 | 1977 | Electronics today international magazine project | ||
| PSI comp 80 | Z80 | 1979 | by Powertran from a design in the magazine Wireless World | ||
| Science of Cambridge MK14 | National Semiconductor SC/MP | 1978 | Low-cost kit expandable to video output | ||
| Acorn System 1 | 6502 | 1979 | |||
| Tangerine Microtan 65 | 6502 | 1979 | Rack-based extendible system | ||
| Compukit UK101 | 6502 | 1979 | Practical Electronics magazine project (Clone of Ohio Scientific Superboard II) | BASIC in ROM | |
| Sinclair's ZX80 | Z80 | 1980 | were among the last popular kit systems | ||
| Sinclair ZX81 | Z80 | 1981 | were among the last popular kit systems |
Read more about this topic: List Of Early Microcomputers