Mad Computers
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer hardware |
| Founded | 1982 in Santa Clara, California, United States |
| Founder | John Nafeh |
| Defunct | 1985 |
| Fate | Discontinued MAD-1; rebranded as Mad Intelligent Systems |
| Headquarters | Santa Clara , United States |
| Products | MAD-1 desktop computer |
The MAD-1 (Modular Advanced Design-1) is a desktop computer compatible with the IBM PC standard, introduced by Mad Computers, Inc., based in Santa Clara, California, in 1984. Its distinctive feature was a modular design combined with the use of the relatively rare Intel 80186 microprocessor. Although it received favorable critiques, its commercial performance was disappointing, resulting in discontinuation within a year.
Specifications
The MAD-1’s dimensions are 12 inches in width, 16 inches in depth, and 5.5 inches in height. The casing, finished in medium gray with beveled edges and side ventilation louvers, set it apart from the conventional beige IBM PCs prevalent at the time. True to its name, the system’s modular construction divided it into two sections: the upper Data Module containing disk drives and power supply, and the lower Computing Module housing the main circuitry.
Two configurations were available: one featuring a pair of 5.25-inch double-density floppy drives, and another combining a single floppy drive with a 10-MB half-height hard drive. The Data Module incorporated the essential 160-watt power supply required for operation. Included accessories consisted of a 12-inch amber monochrome display and an 18-inch-wide keyboard with 84 keys, finished in gray with two-tone keycaps.
Internally, the MAD-1 utilized a fully 16-bit Intel 80186 CPU and came standard with 512 KB of RAM, expandable up to 704 KB through a proprietary memory expansion card occupying its sole ISA slot. Additionally, Mad Computers offered an Expansion Module that could be attached to the rear of the Computing Module to provide four extra ISA slots.
The operating system was a customized variant of MS-DOS, named Mad MS-DOS, which maintained broad compatibility but omitted certain components such as GW-BASIC and utilities like GRAPHICS.COM and FDISK.COM. Optional OS choices included Venix, a Unix derivative, and CP/M-86.
Development
Mad Computers, Inc., founded by John Nafeh in Santa Clara in 1982, developed the MAD-1. Before establishing Mad Computers, Nafeh had launched Multi-Media Video, Inc. (MMV) in 1977 to distribute Apple Computer's Apple II series throughout the Middle East, achieving $4.9 million in sales by 1982. Priced initially at US$4,275, the MAD-1 cost more than the original IBM PC. Sales representative Paul Schaut highlighted that their approach focused on delivering features beyond IBM PC compatibility rather than competing solely on price.
The MAD-1 was among a limited number of IBM PC compatibles utilizing the Intel 80186 processor. A shortage of these chips postponed its launch from spring to late 1983. By late 1983, Mad had secured a supply of 20,000 processors and officially released the MAD-1 in January 1984.
Sales and reception
By January 1984, Mad Computers had manufactured an initial batch of 20,000 MAD-1 units. Distribution within the United States occurred through a network of approximately 200 dealers and corporate resellers, while MBS Microtex handled sales in the United Kingdom. Despite receiving positive evaluations from industry publications, sales remained sluggish. In response, Mad sought to expand its dealer network during mid-1984. That summer also saw Mad initiate legal action against Apple for alleged monopolistic behavior after Apple ceased MMV’s dealership upon discovering Nafeh’s involvement with the MAD-1.
Ultimately discontinued in 1985, Mad Computers temporarily withdrew from the personal computer market. The company rebranded as Mad Intelligent Systems in May 1985 and shifted its business model toward marketing generic IBM PC clones through a collaboration with Philips.