Datapoint 2200
A desktop terminal and computer announced in 1970 whose instruction set shaped the Intel 8008 and later the x86 chips in PCs.
Computer Terminal Corporation announced the Datapoint 2200 in June 1970, and units shipped in 1971. Phil Ray and Gus Roche founded the company. Victor Poor and Harry Pyle developed the original instruction set.
It showed 80 characters by 12 lines of text on a built-in green screen and stored data on two cassette drives, each holding 130 kilobytes. Prices started around $5,000. Memory ran from 2 kilobytes to 16 kilobytes, depending on the type.
Why it matters
The company asked Intel to make a chip for the machine. Intel's 8008, released in April 1972, was based on the 2200's instruction set and later influenced the x86 line used in IBM PCs.
Key facts
- Announced June 1970 and shipped in 1971.
- Price from around $5,000.
- Text screen of 80 characters by 12 lines.
- Two cassette drives of 130 kilobytes each.
- Its instruction set led to the Intel 8008.
Sources
- Wikipedia, "Datapoint 2200", en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datapoint_2200, accessed October 14, 2026.
- Mimms Museum of Technology and Art, "Exhibits", mimmsmuseum.org/exhibits/, accessed October 14, 2026.