North Star Horizon

Summary

The Horizon from North Star Computers reached the market in autumn 1977, priced at US$1,599 as a kit or $1,899 assembled. It uses the S-100 bus, then the microcomputer standard, with a 4 MHz Z80A and at least 16 KB RAM. Early machines have a distinctive aluminium frame and wooden cover, as on the collection’s example; later versions use metal cases.

Storage uses 90 KB 5.25-inch disks; a later controller supports 360 KB double-sided disks, and a version with a 5 MB hard drive also exists. Operating systems include North Star DOS, CP/M and multi-user TurboDOS. The bundled North Star BASIC is a distinct dialect, using EXAM and FILL instead of PEEK and POKE. The North Star Advantage followed in 1982 as a complete system with a built-in screen.