Centurion Computer Corporation
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer hardware |
| Predecessor | Warrex Computer Services |
| Founded | 1971 |
| Founder | John Warren |
| Fate | Acquired by Electronic Data Systems in 1981; repurchased by executives in 1984; filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1985; reorganized in 1986 |
| Headquarters | Richardson, Texas , United States |
Key people | John Warren (founder), Brendan Morgan (president and CEO from 1976), James H. Smith (president from 1984) |
| Products | Small business minicomputers, storage controllers, IBM PC-compatible clone |
Centurion Computer Corporation, established in 1971 by entrepreneur John Warren, specialized in manufacturing computers tailored for small businesses and was based in Richardson, Texas. The company began its operations under the name Warrex Computer Services, focusing on consulting and software development before transitioning in 1972 to marketing magnetic tape cassette systems via its subsidiary, Warrex Computer Corporation.
By 1974, Centurion introduced its inaugural minicomputer designed specifically for the small business sector, integrating hardware, peripherals, and software into a cohesive solution. The company’s distribution strategy depended heavily on independent dealers located throughout the United States. In 1976, Centurion expanded by opening a second office in Fort Worth, Texas.
After the unexpected passing of John Warren in June 1976, Brendan Morgan took over as president and CEO. The firm underwent a rebranding to Centurion Computer Corporation in March 1980. A year later, Electronic Data Systems (EDS) purchased Centurion for $7 million, aiming to broaden its portfolio of hardware products. Soon after this acquisition, Centurion established an international branch in Scarborough, Ontario, entering competition within the Canadian minicomputer market alongside companies such as Geac Computer Corporation.
In 1984, following three years under EDS ownership, a consortium of 12 former Centurion executives and co-founders bought back the company. James H. Smith led this group as president with intentions to rejuvenate product innovation and extend reseller channels. Despite these efforts, financial difficulties forced Centurion to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 1985; however, the company successfully reorganized and resumed operations by early 1986 with a notably smaller staff.
This narrative underscores Centurion’s shifting corporate dynamics, leadership transitions, and ongoing attempts to sustain its presence amid competitive challenges within the information technology sector.
Business computers
Centurion developed a lineup of computers aimed at small enterprises. The principal models along with their specifications and pricing (as of February 1982) are detailed below:
| Model | Processor | RAM | Floppy Drives | Hard Drives | Display Terminals | Base Price | Launch Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MicroPlus | CPU-5 | 64 kB | 1-2 | 1x 8/24 MB Winchester | 2 | $11,387 | January 1982 |
| Series 200 | CPU-5 | 32 kB | 0-2 | 2x 10-20 MB Hawk/Pertec | 4 | $27,668 | March 1979 |
| Series 6200 | CPU-6 | 64-128 kB | 0-2 | 4x 10-20 MB Hawk/Pertec | 8 | $34,742 | October 1979 |
| Series III | CPU-5 | 32-64 kB | None | 2x 10-20 MB Hawk/Pertec | 4 | $35,342 | 1975 |
| Series 6300 | CPU-6 | 64-256 kB | 0-4 | 4x 10-20 MB Hawk/Pertec | 32 | $37,628 | October 1979 |
| Series 6400 | CPU-6 | 64-256 kB | 0-4 | 8x 26-96 MB Finch/Phoenix | 32 | $41,465 | October 1979 |
| Series 6500 | CPU-6 | 64-128 kB | 0-4 | 2x 26-96 MB Finch/Phoenix | 8 | $45,545 | October 1979 |
With the exception of the MicroPlus model, all other systems incorporated a four-port multiplexer (MUX), allowing independent asynchronous management of keyboards, printers, CRT terminals, or remote devices connected via modem cards. Data transmission was achievable through either low-speed software control or high-speed Direct Memory Access reaching up to 1.2 MiB per second.
The video display units offered by Centurion—models R-40, R-100, and CT-520—were customized for their systems and communicated using RS-232 or modem connections at baud rates ranging from 1920 to 9600. Printer compatibility included teletype devices and custom controller cards designed for standard printers such as Texas Instruments models and DP-B-600 units, delivering speeds up to roughly 1300 characters per second.
Compatible storage devices
Centurion specialized in producing storage controllers that worked seamlessly with widely available media, mainly sourced from Control Data Corporation (CDC).
| Name | Type | Capacity | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDC 9400 SSDD | 8" floppy disk | 0.6 MiB | $950 |
| Qume DSDD | 8" floppy disk | 1.2 MiB | $1,683 |
| CDC Hawk 9427 | hard disk | 10.4 MiB | $12,215 |
| CDC Falcon 9414 | hard disk | 10.4 MiB | N/A |
| CDC Finch | hard disk | 8–24 MiB | N/A |
| Pertec D3000E | hard disk | 20.8 MiB | $12,215 |
| CDC Phoenix CMD-32 | hard disk | 26.5 MiB | $7,600 |
| CDC Phoenix CMD-64 | hard disk | 52.9 MiB | $9,050 |
| CDC Phoenix CMD-96 | hard disk | 79.4 MiB | $9,960 |
The pricing shown corresponds to early 1980s figures; reported storage capacities reflect Centurion’s use of a uniform 400-byte data block size, with the leftover space within each block reserved for control data such as checksums.
IBM-compatible PC clone
Operating as a subsidiary of EDS, Centurion engineered an IBM PC–compatible clone aimed at strengthening EDS’s bargaining position with IBM. Dissatisfied with IBM’s pricing structure, EDS commissioned Centurion to assemble a fully compatible PC clone from standard components at a reduced cost. Although this initiative was not intended to serve as direct competition, it successfully pressured IBM into lowering their pricing, illustrating Centurion’s strategic influence on EDS’s procurement negotiations.
Restoration initiatives
Within the vintage computing community, David Lovett from the YouTube channel Usagi Electric is actively restoring multiple Centurion microcomputers to operational status, underscoring enduring enthusiasm for the company’s historic products.