Microsoft’s Cash Cow

In 1980, Microsoft introduced the Z-80 SoftCard, a very successful expansion card for the Apple // imagined by Paul Allen. Once inserted into Woz’s little marvel, it instantaneously turned the computer into a Digital Research CP/M compatible platform. This allowed the Apple // users to run hundreds of professional applications, including a plethora of programming languages. For details on how such microprocessor card works, you can refer to my other post of the week titled 6502 or Z80 for Your Apple? The SoftCard comes packaged in the EaselBox characteristic of Microsoft compilers of the era and was accompanied by abundant and detailed documentation. Because a picture is worth a thousand words, I took many shots. Enjoy!