1976
1940
TODAY
Sol-20
Introduced: 1976
Price: $1095 kit, $1495 assembled
CPU: 2MHz Intel 8080A
Designed by: Lee Felsenstein and Bob Marsh
Manufactured by: Processor Technology
Processor Technology was one of the first companies to make accessory boards for the Altair. One of their first products was a 4K memory board that was considerably cheaper than the unreliable MITS 4K board. They soon began making replacement motherboards for the Altair. Their version had 18 expansion slots, while the Altair had only 4. From these products it was a small step to building their own computer.
The Sol-20 was a single board computer like the Apple I, which appeared a few months earlier. Unlike the Apple I, it came with a case and keyboard, and was S-100 compatible through a 100-pin edge connector. It was possibly the first home computer with a built-in keyboard.
Price: $1095 kit, $1495 assembled
CPU: 2MHz Intel 8080A
Designed by: Lee Felsenstein and Bob Marsh
Manufactured by: Processor Technology
Processor Technology was one of the first companies to make accessory boards for the Altair. One of their first products was a 4K memory board that was considerably cheaper than the unreliable MITS 4K board. They soon began making replacement motherboards for the Altair. Their version had 18 expansion slots, while the Altair had only 4. From these products it was a small step to building their own computer.
The Sol-20 was a single board computer like the Apple I, which appeared a few months earlier. Unlike the Apple I, it came with a case and keyboard, and was S-100 compatible through a 100-pin edge connector. It was possibly the first home computer with a built-in keyboard.
Related Links
Memoir of a Homebrew Computer Club Member
Bob Lash remembers what it was like when computers were new.
Lee Felsenstein and the Homebrew Computer Club
Links to information on the club and one of its most prominent members.
Herb’s S-100 Stuff
Information on the S-100 bus.
Erik Klein’s Vintage Computer Collection
A collector inspects his old Altair 8800.
Sol-20 by Processor Technology
DigiBarn Computer Museum
Bob Lash remembers what it was like when computers were new.
Lee Felsenstein and the Homebrew Computer Club
Links to information on the club and one of its most prominent members.
Herb’s S-100 Stuff
Information on the S-100 bus.
Erik Klein’s Vintage Computer Collection
A collector inspects his old Altair 8800.
Sol-20 by Processor Technology
DigiBarn Computer Museum
Sol-20 terminal, 360 degree view 
Sol-20 is currently on display in the Rise of the Machines section of the STARTUP Gallery. Click on the map to explore the whole gallery.
