The DEC Rainbow 100A, introduced in 1982, was the first model in DEC's Rainbow line of computers.

It has a dual-processor configuration, Z80 for 8-bit CP/M programs and the Intel 8088 for MS-DOS-based programs. The Rainbow's Operating System was able to detect which processor was required by examining the program diskette that was used. The machine only came with 64KB of memory but had the option to expand to up to 896KB with the addition of a special adaptor board. Unlike later models, the 100A cannot be booted from a hard disk and must instead load from a floppy disk.

It was unsuccessful in the marketplace, having to compete with established brands and their IBM PC-compatible machines. CP/M compatibility was also becoming less important by this time.

When the Rainbow was released in early 1983 it was available for £2400.

Manufacturer: Digital Equipment Corporation
Date: 1982

This exhibit has a reference ID of CH71309. Please quote this reference ID in any communication with the Centre for Computing History.

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