Kaypro Computer

Kaypro Computer was an early manufacturer of portable computers, offering a Z80-based CP/M-compatible portable in 1982 for $1,795. By 1983, Kaypro was the fifth largest computer manufacturer in the world.

Kaypro was originally a division of Non-Linear Systems[?], founded by Andy Kay[?], the inventor of the digital voltmeter[?], in 1952. The Kaypro II[?], released in 1982, was the first all-metal portable computer, competing successfully with the Osborne 1, shipping more than 10,000 units a month in 1983.

Kaypro continued to manufacture a variety of CP/M-compatible systems throughout the 1980s, incorporating features such as higher-density floppy drives and hard drives, and as MS-DOS gained popularity, produced a number of IBM-compatible systems running that operating system as well. However, Kaypro had difficulty continuing its early success, and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 1990. In June 1992, Kaypro filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, and in 1995, its remaining assets were sold for $2.7 million.

The Kaypro name briefly re-emerged as an online vendor of PCs early in the first decade of the 21st century. The resurgence was short-lived. Andy Kay re-emerged with a second company, called Kay Computers, utilizing a similar sales strategy.