Pronto Series 16 Microcomputer, Central Processing Unit

Description:

Pronto Systems, Inc. introduced its Pronto Series 16 microcomputer in 1983. It represented the high end of business computing of its era. The Pronto pioneered innovative design features, including a tilting and swiveling monitor, a small foot print, a streamlined and adjustable keyboard, and an expandable cord that allowed the processor to be stored as much as six feet away from the monitor. These features won a 1983 design award from Industrial Design Magazine. The computer offered the first tower system—a design that later became common in the industry. This index number covers the tower.

Inside, the Pronto 16 was a powerful machine designed for the full range of business applications. It had a 16-bit Intel 80186 microprocessor. It was shipped with MS-DOS 2.0. It had 128 KB of RAM, which could be expanded to 1 MB. The standard hard drive was 5.6 MB, and it was removable. The computer had dual 800 KB floppy drives (5 ¼"), dual serial ports, one parallel port, and a high-resolution monochrome monitor. Users could buy a color monitor as an option. The base price was $3,000.

Over 1,000 systems were sold from 1983 to 1987. The company had to file for bankruptcy when the stock market crashed while the company was in the process of going public through an Initial Public Offering.

The donors of this example of the Pronto 16 were both associated with the firm that made it. Henry Gasbarro was founder, executive vice president, and chief technology officer of Pronto. He created the company in 1982. Skip Hansen, vice president of engineering, was responsible for the hardware design, software,and the high-resolution graphics capability that the system had.

See the other parts of acquisition 2001.0255 as well as 2001.3082.

Date Made: 1983-1987

Maker: PRONTO Computers, Inc.

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: United States: California, Torrance

See more items in: Medicine and Science: Computers, Work, Computers & Business Machines

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: Henry Gasbarro and Skip Hansen

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 2001.0255.01Catalog Number: 2001.0255.01Accession Number: 2001.0255

Object Name: microcomputer

Physical Description: metal (overall material)plastic (overall material)Measurements: overall: 39.5 cm x 17.8 cm x 34.5 cm; 15 9/16 in x 7 in x 13 9/16 in

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a6-7278-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_834440

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