Heathkit H-8 (1977–1980)

The Heathkit H-8 is an 8-bit microcomputer built around the Intel 8080 microprocessor running at 2 MHz. It was introduced in 1977 and remained in production until 1980. It came with 4KB of RAM, expandable to 32KB, and included a full ASCII keyboard of 68 keys plus a built-in 12-inch monochrome CRT displaying 16 lines of 32 characters. Storage was via cassette tape interface, with a 5.25-inch floppy disk drive available as an option.

There's some disagreement in the surviving record about whether the H-8 was sold as a kit, pre-assembled, or both. Multiple sources describe it as a kit you assembled yourself — consistent with Heathkit's identity as a kit company — though at least one source claims it was the first fully assembled computer Heathkit offered. Given Heathkit's well-documented kit heritage, the kit description seems more credible, but it's worth noting the conflict exists. The price is similarly muddled: most sources say $475, with one suggesting around $550. A fully loaded H-8 could approach $1000.

The H-8 was the successor to the H-11 (Heathkit's only 16-bit machine) and was followed by the H-89, which combined the H-8 with the H-19 terminal. It ran Heathkit's HDOS operating system, with CP/M available as an upgrade. The machine offered nine expansion slots and both serial (RS-232C) and parallel ports.

Period coverage of the H-8 in the audio press was incidental at best. DB Magazine (November 1978, p.54) included the H-8 in a mini-guide to microcomputers, noting that the staff had been using several of the listed systems for some time — a small but real sign that the machine had found its way into working studios.

Contemporary sources describe the H-8 as popular with hobbyists and a good beginner's computer. Its known weaknesses: the cassette tape drive was slow, and the keyboard layout was non-standard. It was not compatible with the H-89 that followed it.