COSMAC ELF computer

E80434

The COSMAC ELF computer is a simple, low-cost, build-it-yourself microcomputer from the late 1970s that became popular among hobbyists for learning and experimenting with early personal computing.

All labels observed (4)

Label Occurrences
COSMAC ELF 1
COSMAC ELF computer canonical 1
Netronics ELF II 1

How this entity was disambiguated

Statements (49)

Predicate Object
instanceOf hobbyist computer
homebrew microcomputer
single-board computer
architecture COSMAC 1802 architecture
basedOn RCA 1802 microprocessor
category early personal computer
microcomputer kit
clockSpeed 1.76 MHz
costCharacteristic low-cost
countryOfOrigin United States
cpu RCA CDP1802
creator Joseph Weisbecker
RCA engineers
linked to: RCA
designedFor electronics hobbyists
homebrew computer builders
documentationLanguage English
expandableTo several kilobytes of RAM
expansionCapability cassette interface add-ons
keypad input add-ons
video display add-ons
featuredIn Popular Electronics magazine
firstDescribedIn Popular Electronics August 1976 issue
Popular Electronics September 1976 issue
historicalSignificance popularized low-cost microcomputing for hobbyists
served as an entry point into microprocessor programming in the 1970s
initialMemorySize 256 bytes
inputMethod front-panel switches
toggle switches
inspired Netronics ELF II
linked to: COSMAC ELF computer

Quest Super ELF
later RCA 1802-based hobby computers
introducedIn 1976
introducedInDecade 1970s
manufacturer homebuilt from magazine plans
marketedAs build-it-yourself computer
memoryType static RAM
notableFeature could be built on perfboard
no dedicated ROM required
static CMOS CPU allowing low power
very simple hardware design
outputMethod LED display
hexadecimal display
powerSource 9-volt battery
DC power supply
primaryUse educational computing
experimenting with machine language
learning microcomputers
programEntryMethod front-panel switch toggling
wordSize 8-bit

How these facts were elicited

Referenced by (4)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

RCA 1802 microprocessor usedIn COSMAC ELF computer
COSMAC ELF inspired Netronics ELF II
subject linked to: COSMAC ELF computer
linked to: COSMAC ELF computer
Quest Super ELF predecessor COSMAC ELF
linked to: COSMAC ELF computer
Quest Super ELF influencedBy Popular Electronics COSMAC ELF design
linked to: COSMAC ELF computer