Microsoft Z-80 SoftCard for Apple II
The Microsoft Z-80 SoftCard — a Z80 microprocessor on a card that plugs into the Apple II, enabling CP/M and Microsoft Basic to run alongside Apple software. Announced at the West Coast Computer Faire in March 1980 at ~$349, available May 1980. Significant because it opened the entire CP/M software library to Apple owners.
Dave Hughes (author of Lafon for Pascal) wrote a cold-boot helper utility for SoftCard owners on the day he received his card, published via Mike Wise of Southeastern Software in October 1980.
Mentioned in
- 1980-03 — V02 N03 — WCCF rumor/announcement ($349, available May)
- 1980-10 — V02 N10 — Dave Hughes cold-boot helper published
Related
- CP/M on Apple
- Microsoft