...one compact package...
Written on December 20th, 2025 by Tech Ads
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The
POLY 88
Microcomputer
System
The POLY 88 Microcomputer System
brings to the user, in one compact
package, the capability of developing
programs and hardware as well as
enjoying the interaction with computers.
The POLY 88 System uses a video
monitor for display, a keyboard for input
and cassette tape for storage. The
system will also connect to a hard-copy
terminal. Poly 88 hardware consists of an
8080 based CPU circuit card with on-
board memory and I/O, video display
circuit card with keyboard input port
and graphics capability, and mini-cards
that connect to the CPU board via
ribbon cable for cassette or serial
interface.
The Firmware Monitor is integral to the
POLY 88 System. This 1024 byte
program in ROM allows the user to
display data on a TV screen, enter data
into memory using a keyboard, read and
dump data to the cassette interface in
Kansas City format, and single step
through a program while displaying the
contents of each of the 8080’s internal
reqisters.
Prices: Basic kit including chassis, CPU
and video cards — $595, $795
assembled. Cassette option — $90 kit
and $125 assembled. 8K of RAM — $300
in kit form or $385 assembled.
Dealers: This system will sell itself.
All prices and specifications subject to change without
notice. Prices are USA only. California residents add
6% sales tax. Prepaid orders shipped postpaid.
BankAmericard and Master Charge accepted.
PolyMorphic
Systems
737 S. Kellogg Avenue, Goleta, Ca. 93017
(805) 967-2351
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‘…one compact package…’
The Poly 88 was an Intel 8080-base microcomputer produced by PolyMorphic Systems. Based around the same processor and S-100 as the MITS Altair 8800, the Poly 88 had the advantage of accessing the same software library as the more established MITS machine but, unlike the Altair 8800, the Poly 88 shipped with a video card as standard, allowing the user to connect the machine directly to a home TV.
The Poly 88 was available as a kit from $595 and as a pre-built unit from $795.
Taken from: Popular Electronics - Volume 10, No. 6 (December 1976)
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