CTC Datapoint 2200

Designed by Computer Terminal Corporation (CTC), the Datapoint 2200 was a “Programmable Terminal”. The Model 1’s first practical installation was in April 1971, this is a Model 2 unit, first introduced Spring 1972.

Model II specifications ; 8-Bit CPU (TTL), 16K of RAM, Clock speed of 2MHz.

The Datapoint 2200 whilst using a TTL processor played a significant part in the development of the INTEL 8008 CPU. The full story can be found in the Lamont Wood’s book, “The Lost Story of the Texans Who Invented the Personal Computer Revolution”. This book gives a full and in-depth overview of how Datapoint (CTC) was conceived and the company’s significance in the Development of the Personal Computer.

Bitsavers have an Equipment Catalogue on their website for Datapoint machines.

The “Datapoint 2200 Business Processor” is advertised as being “inexpensive enough to be applied as a stand-alone intelligent data entry terminal”. In other words, the 2200 was sold as a Personal Computer, arguably the worlds first PC.

The Processor Architecture is also something of noticable importance. It is well known that the Intel 4004 CPU Chip was the first single-chip processor. The 2200 does not use a single-chip processor, but the archetecture is almost identical to the Intel 8008, Intels first successful CPU. The 2200’s archetecture boasts 50 different instruction types; 14 addressable registers; 16 deep-pushdown stack; 8 bit memory word length; Up to 16,384 word memory; Complete parallel I/O system, Automatic power-up start.

The Keyboard has 41 keys, 11 Key Numeric Pad, 5 control Keys and Audio Tones.

The Video Display has a 7×3.5″ Viewing Area, showing 80 Columns by 12 Rows, 960 Characters Upper and Lower Case (94 ASCII Characters) 5×7 Dot Matrix for High Readability. An option for a 128 character programmable high speed display is available for applications requiring special characters.

Two Standard Phillips Cassettes Tapes allow for 7.5 inches per second speed Rewind speed, Search Forward and Reverse Mode Approximately. 120,000 Characters Storage per tape side and completely Processor Controlled. The cassettes are used for program and data storage.

Memory consists of 4,096 to 16,384 word memory (8 bit word) 1.6 microsecond access. All memory locations are fully programmable. None is taken for system buffers or hardware needs.

Any Datapoint peripheral may be connected to the 2200 with 14 external peripherals being the maximum number.

Physical Characteristics include:

Weight: 47 lbs (21.3kg)
Height: 9 5/8 inches (24.5cm)
Width: 18 1/2 inches (47cm)
Depth: 19 5/8 inches (50cm)
Power: 115V (230V optional)

Model Codes:

2214 Datapoint Cassette 2200, 4K Memory, 115 VAC, 50-60 Hz
2218 Datapoint Cassette 2200, 8K Memory, 115 VAC, 50-60 Hz
2222 Datapoint Cassette 2200, 12K Memory, 115 VAC, 50-60 Hz
2226 Datapoint Cassette 2200, 16K Memory, 115 VAC, 50-60 Hz
2163 Power Option, 230 VAC, 50-60 Hz 9001 Programmable High Speed Display Option