Zenith Data Systems Computers: Details and History

Zenith Data Systems manufactured many computers during the 1980s and '90s, some of which are still in use today. They are best remembered for the still somewhat-common SuperSport and Z-series laptop computers, but also produced desktop models and computer accessories.

An article on answers.com indicates that Zenith Data Systems was founded in 1979, and successfully sold computer systems on college campuses during the 1980s, as well as producing the first portable computer featuring a display with a backlight. It also indicates that Zenith had the best sales of laptop computers in 1988 of any U.S. brand, and entered into contracts to manufacture computers for the government.

Some of the more advanced computers made by Zenith include the Z-Lite (a lightweight compact laptop with a built-in trackball), the Z-Station GT (a Pentium desktop model), and the Z-Noteflex laptop. All of these can be purchased at relatively little expense on eBay.com. Spy-hill.com has a page (see the link at the end of this article) on using the Linux operating system on a Z-Lite laptop; it indicates that the Z-Lite 425L has a 25MHz 486 processor and an external 3.5" disk drive. Accessories included external modems, monitors (mostly color CRT-type units), and keyboards. An adapter may be necessary to connect some Zenith keyboards to newer computers, and a few of the older (CGA/EGA/monochrome) monitors cannot be attached to newer computers, but most are compatible with standard VGA monitor ports.

Many of the earlier Zenith laptops (ZFL series, SuperSport, MasterSport, SlimSport) had keys more similar to those on standard non-laptop keyboards, featured one or two built-in 3.5" disk drives, and had 8086/8088, 286, or 386 processors. Some had a disk drive located on the side, while others had two "pop-up" disk drives which could be folded into a recessed area in front of the LCD, a feature some vintage laptops from other brands also had. Buying an adapter for these computers sometimes costs more than the computer does.

The website zdsparts.com offers a variety of parts for Zenith Data Systems computers. These include AC adapters for laptops, LCD panels, memory upgrades, modems, and other items. The website is run by Computek Systems and based in Texas.

According to wikipedia.org, computers stopped being sold under the Zenith Data Systems brand in 1996, when they merged with computer manufacturers NEC and Packard Bell. Zenith Electronics continues to manufacture televisions, video cassette recorders, DVD players, and other electronic devices.