The Intel MDS 80 system was a computer system primarily used to design other computer systems with MDS standing for Microcomputer Development System.
This was arguably, the first personal computers running the ISIS Operating System
Many microcomputer makes and models could run some version or derivation of the CP/M disk operating system. Eight-bit computers running CP/M 80 were built around an Intel 8080/85, Zilog Z80, or compatible CPU (for CP/M-80). CP/M 86 ran on the Intel 8086 and 8088.
Whilst most modern microprocessor development is on the ubiquitous PC with a smattering of workstation and VAX hosts, in the early eighties when many of these systems were developed, the dedicated Microprocessor Development System (MDS) was the dominant development platform; on some very large projects, they would be used as an adjunct to VAX or PDP11 hosts. In simple terms, the MDS was an 8080-based computers whose purpose was to host the assemblers, compilers and emulators that were used to create new applications. The Intel Series II and III, a.k.a. the "blue box" were by far the most common, with the 8088-based Series IV being something of a latecomer.
Some claim that the Intel MDS-80 development systems were, the first personal computers. These used the ISIS Operating System.
