The POLY 88 was a S-100 bus based computer sold in kit or assembled versions. The small case could receive the 8080 CPU board and three additional S-100 cards. Daughter boards were provided by Polymorphic to expand system capacities: video, keyboard, serial and cassette interfaces.
The system was also compatible with Altair peripherals. Originally, the computer was sold with the name "Micro-Altair", but MITS (the Altair manufacturer) required to change it quickly. So the company name became Polymorphic and its first computer, the POLY 88.
In 1976, five versions were proposed: System 1 Kit version including 512 bytes RAM, 1 Kb. ROM monitor, 16 lines x 32 chars. video interface, keyboard input port and power supply. ($595) System 2 System 1 plus 64 chars. per line option and cassette interface kit. ($690) System 3 System 2 plus 8 Kb. of RAM, Basic and Assembler programs on cassette tape. ($990) System 4 Complete kit including System 3 plus TV monitor, keyboard and cassette recorder ($1350) System 7 System 4 assembled and ready to use. ($1350)
Thanks to Leon H. Schindel for his invaluable help
We need more info about this computer ! If you designed, used, or have more info about this system,
please send us pictures or anything you might find useful.
I have a Polly 88 that worked well. I did a lot of upgrades to it including adding dual 5-1/4 shugart floppy drives with North Star Controller. I later put the polly 88 boards into an Altair 8800 box so I could add more S-100 cards. I also converted games from the Sol-80 to run on the Polly 88. Star Trek and air traffic controller. i haven''t used it in years. I have 3 complete polly 88''s that probably still work.
Saturday 3rd March 2012
Robert Nind (Canada)
The Poly 88 was also available as a system 0. It included all of the basic components but without the mother board, memory or cabinet.
I built my own missing stuff and still have it. DH
Sunday 19th December 2010
Don Haywood (Colorado USA)
hmmmm,,me too,does eneyone know eney min computer emulation ?
Wednesday 21st July 2004
zach (arkansas)
NAME
POLY 88
MANUFACTURER
Polymorphic
TYPE
Professional Computer
ORIGIN
U.S.A.
YEAR
1976
BUILT IN LANGUAGE
None
KEYBOARD
Full-stroke 54 keys (made by Cherry)
CPU
8080A
SPEED
2 MHz 8080A, running at 1.8432 MHz (so that it could be easily divided to produce standard baud rate clocks)
RAM
512 bytes to 32 KB.
VRAM
1 KB
ROM
Monitor 1 KB (2 KB optional)
TEXT MODES
40 chars x 25 lines
GRAPHIC MODES
Semi-graphic mode (128 x 48)
COLOrsc
Monochrome
SOUND
None standard (available through S100 boards)
SIZE / WEIGHT
11(W) x 17.5(H) x 43 (D) cm.
I/O PORTS
Keyboard, tape recorder, printer, video vomposite
BUILT IN MEDIA
None
POWER SUPPLY
Built-in PSU
PERIPHERALS
Video, keyboard, cassette, serial interfaces. Some Altair S-100 cards
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