...small wonder of the micro-world.
Written on April 7th, 2026 by Tech Ads
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ALTAIR 68
of the micro-world
Measuring just 11” wide x 11” deep x 5” high, and weighing a
mere 7 pounds, the Altair ™ 680b is a complete, general-purpose
computer.
The secret to this revolutionary, smalf computer is its CPU
board. This double-sided board fits along the bottom of the Altair
case and plugs directly into the front panel board. It contains
the new 6800 microprocessor, 1,024 bytes of RAM memory, a 256
byte PROM monitor, provisions for 768 bytes of additional PROM
or ROM, and a single Interface port with a Motorola ACIA serial
interface adapter which can be configured either RS-232 or TTY.
A five level Baudot interface option is also available.
The Altair 680b can be programmed trom front panel switches,
or it can be interfaced to a video display terminal, or teletype-
writer. Three additional circuit boards can be plugged inside the
Altair 680b for further memory and interface expansion. The first
of these boards is a 16K static RAM memory board.
Software already developed includes Altair 680 BASIC with
all the features of the 8K BASIC previously developed for the
Altair 8800. These include Boolean operators, the ability to read
or write a byte from any I/O port or memory location, multiple
statements per line, and the ability to interrupt program execution
and then continue after the examination of variable values. This
software takes only 6.8K bytes of memory space and a copy is
included free with the purchase of the Altair 680 16K memory
board.
Other software includes a resident two pass assembler. The
Altair 680b is also compatible with Motorola 6800 software.
The Altair 6806 is ideal for hobbyists who want a powerful
computer system at an economic price. Altair 680b owners qualify
NOTE: Altair is a trademark of MITS, Inc.
CIRCLE NO. 76 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD
~T
CJ Enclosed is a check for $
0D) BankAmericard #
C) Altair 680b O Kit O Assembled
CL) Please send free information package.
| NAM
| ADDRESS
for membership in the Altair Users Group, and like other Altair
owners, they receive a complimentary subscription to Computer
Notes and complete factory support.
PRICES:
Altair 680b kit-with complete, easy-to-understand assembly man-
ual, operator's manual, and programming manual.................. $466
Assembled Altair 680b.............. hcatidinsesiny sicemaneantianias th nines consemaeti cit $625
Altair 680b Turnkey model kit... .............. ee enemas 395
Expander Card 680MB (required to expand 680)........,..,........ $ 24
Altair 680BSM 16K static RAM board kit with 680 BASIC........$685
Altair 680 BASIC when purchased separately... ...........000.0000-. $200
AMIAOE OPH seis. .-nccnsercnseessoseansdsneeessaseessecseseunsensansvonncesnsseaays $ 42
or Master Charge #
D Other (specify)
enclose $8 for postage and handling
STATE & ZIP
2450 Alamo SE/Albuquerque, NM 87106, 505-243-7821
———— cree eee ee
Price, specifications subject to change. Please allow up to 60 days for delivery.
POPULAR ELECTRONICS
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‘…small wonder of the micro-world.’
The Altair 680b was the ‘junior’ sibling of the Altair 8800 and was released after the Altair 8800. Unlike the Altair 8800’s Intel 8080 chip, the 860b featured a Motorola 6800 processor, reduced IO options, a smaller enclosure and, crucially, it lacked the S-100 IO bus.
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