This computer is still based on the PDP-8 architecture but is less "opened" than the DECmate II. Indeed DEC realised that the PDP-8 based products were rarely expanded to their full potential. Thus, they conceived the DECmate III wich offers less expansion possibilities but which was also cheaper.
As the last incarnation of the PDP-8 technology, the DECmate III use a single chip containing all the PDP-8 hardware !
Only one pair of 5''1/4 disk-drives (RX50) is supported and it is not possible to connect a Hard-Drive. But unlike the DECmate II, a color monitor can replace the monochrom screen.
It was mainly intended for professionnal word-processing, but could also run other software including OS/278. The DECmate III was compatible with the DECmate II.
In 1985, a DECmate III+ was sold with a hard disk controller built-in and overall completely new hardware components, though still compatible with the DECmate II and III.
The DECmate computers were marketed by Digital Equipment Corporation.
Please consider donating your old computer / videogame system to Old-Computers.com or one of our partners from anywhere in the world (Europe, America, Asia, etc.).
that system box looks similar to a VAXstation 2000 I used to carry around as a portable.
Thursday 5th June 2003
Ian (UK)
NAME
DECmate III
MANUFACTURER
Digital Equipment Corporation
TYPE
Professional Computer
ORIGIN
U.S.A.
YEAR
1984
END OF PRODUCTION
1990
KEYBOARD
QWERTY full-stroke professionnal keyboard
CPU
Harris 6120 cpu (12 bits)
SPEED
8 Mhz
RAM
32k (+ 32k for dedicated control panel functions)
TEXT MODES
80 x 24 and 132 x 24
COLORS
No
SIZE / WEIGHT
32 x 28 x 14 cm / 8 kg
I/O PORTS
RS232C, printer, data-communication port
BUILT IN MEDIA
2 x 5
OS
OS/278
POWER SUPPLY
Built-in PSU
PERIPHERALS
Color graphics board APU board : Z80 based board for CP/M use XPU board : 8088 based board for MS/DOS use Modem
