Note Type
General NotesNote
The Z-171 portable personal computer is a lightweight, briefcase-sized computer than can take care of any number of personal or business computing needs. It is a portable system with all of the features of a full-sized system, and it can run virtually all software from IBM's vast library.
According to Stan Veit's pc-history.org, the Zenith Z-171 is based on the Morrow Pivot, which was conceived and designed by George Morrow, of Morrow Designs, as far back as 1983.
The Z-171 keyboard has four "icon keys", which initiate functions to make the Z-171 more than just a basic laptop computer (their words). These keys function are built-in and work without booting into MS-DOS.
- Clock/calendar - show the "home screen" - the world map with clock and calendar.
- Phone dialer - dial into a remote computer system using the optional internal modem, or use the Z-171 as a dumb terminal.
- Disk access - Boots the computer from the A: floppy drive, or switches back to the current MS-DOS screen.
- Calculator - four-function calculator pops-up in the upper corner of the screen.
Slightly unusual for a battery-powered machine of this era are the dual 5 1/4" floppy drives with the spring-loaded covers.Note Type
Object Specific InformationNote
This machine was purchased from Ebay.com for parts in order to repair a customer's Zenith Z-171 and later it was itself repaired and brought back to full functionality.
