Computer Devices, Inc.
| Industry | Computer hardware |
|---|---|
| Fate | Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November 1983 |
| Headquarters | Burlington , United States |
| Products | The Dot (compact computing device) |
The Dot, presented as DOT, was a compact computing device launched by Computer Devices, Inc. (CDI) in April 1983. Powered by an Intel 8088 processor, it offered up to 704 KB of memory and a display capable of rendering graphics at resolutions reaching 1024 by 254 pixels. Although it incorporated some features similar to the IBM PC, it was not entirely IBM PC compatible. The Dot's commercial underperformance played a significant role in CDI's filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November 1983.
Specifications
At its core, the Dot utilized an Intel 8088 CPU, with an optional Z80 expansion board that allowed compatibility with CP/M. The system initially came equipped with 32 KB of RAM, expandable up to 704 KB. It featured a 9-inch wide by 5-inch tall CRT screen and included a single Sony-manufactured 3.5-inch floppy disk drive. Additional options offered were native support for MS-DOS, a dual serial port expansion card, a second floppy disk drive, a thermal printer designed to be mounted on top of the unit, a modem supporting 300/1200 baud speeds, and an Intel 8087 floating-point co-processor. The video adapter supported display modes of either 640×200 or 1024×254 pixels, while the thermal printer produced output consistent with the computer’s text display format.
Release and market failure
The Dot was announced toward the end of 1982 and became available in April 1983. Prior to release, CDI had established a nationwide dealer network. Intended as CDI’s premier microcomputer offering, the company had previously been recognized for manufacturing computer terminals from its facility in Burlington, Massachusetts. Despite sharing the Intel 8088 processor and shipping with MS-DOS—similar to the IBM PC—the Dot did not achieve full IBM PC compatibility. Sales were weak, with only between 2,000 and 3,000 units sold by December 1983. Due to disappointing market reception and internal challenges, CDI implemented two rounds of workforce reductions in August and October of that year before filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November.
The commercial failure of the Dot attracted considerable attention during a period marked by other technology company bankruptcies, including Osborne Computer Corporation. Unlike Osborne, CDI managed to survive bankruptcy proceedings and redirected its efforts toward software development for niche markets throughout the late 1980s into the early 1990s before ultimately ceasing operations in October 1998.