North Star Horizon

Horizon
A North Star Horizon computer
ManufacturerNorth Star Computers
TypePersonal computer
Release dateNovember 1977 (1977-11)
Introductory price
  • $1899 Assembled
  • $1599 as a Kit
DiscontinuedEarly 1980s
Units sold10,000-100,000+
Operating systemCP/M, NorthStar DOS
CPUZ80 @ 4MHz
Memory16K or more
Storage5.25 floppy drive(s) holds 90KB each
Display80 x 24 text mode
GraphicsRS-232 port
SoundNone
PowerIntegrated 250W P.S.U.
Dimensions50.8 x 44.4 x 18.4 cm
Weight20 kg
SuccessorNorth Star Advantage

The North Star Horizon was a popular 8-bit S-100 bus computer introduced in October 1977. Like most S-100 machines of the era, it was built around the Zilog Z80A microprocessor, and typically ran the CP/M operating system. It was produced by North Star Computers, and it could be purchased either in kit form or pre-assembled. The North Star Horizon was one of the first computers to have built in floppy drives as well as being one of the first personal computers to have a hard disk drive.