Pronto Computers
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer hardware |
| Founded | March 1983 |
| Founder | Henry Gasbarro, Skip Hansen, Doris V. Kaplan, Judy Anthony |
| Defunct | 1987 |
| Headquarters | Torrance , United States |
| Products | IBM PC-compatible computers, graphics adapters |
Pronto Computers, Inc., headquartered in Torrance, California, was active between 1983 and 1987, manufacturing IBM PC-compatible machines and sophisticated graphics adapters. Its initial offering, the System 16, received praise for both its graphical performance and industrial design, securing the I.D. magazine award for best-designed instrumentation product in 1983. Subsequently, the company released the Pronto Transportable Solution, a portable computing device. Both models were built around the uncommon Intel 80186 processor. Following the 1987 market downturn, Pronto declared bankruptcy.
History
Established in March 1983 by CEO Henry Gasbarro, Vice President Skip Hansen, comptroller Doris V. Kaplan, and head of product marketing Judy Anthony, Pronto focused on delivering systems and peripherals tailored to business environments. While compatible with numerous IBM PC applications, the company prioritized offering professional-grade business solutions over strict compatibility.
Pronto System 16
Launched at COMDEX/Spring 1983, the System 16 was powered by an 8-MHz Intel 80186 CPU—a seldom-used processor due to its complex integration that differed from typical IBM PC motherboards. It was among the earliest personal computers to adopt a tower-style case and introduced several ergonomic innovations such as a swivel-tilt monitor stand, an adjustable keyboard angle, and extended monitor cabling allowing separation of the bulky tower from the display unit. These design elements were crafted by Joseph D. Ricchio Jr., contributing to its industrial design accolades.
The System 16 came equipped with 128 KB of RAM standard, expandable up to 1 MB, with prices ranging from $2,995 to $5,995 depending on configuration choices. Storage options included floppy disk drives or removable SyQuest cartridge hard drives—selected for their compact size and upgrade flexibility—with capacities reaching as high as 56.7 MB by mid-1984.
Its graphics adapter utilized the NEC μPD7220 controller supporting high-resolution bitplane graphics modes: eight colors selected from sixteen in color mode or eight shades of gray in monochrome mode. Initially, users employed green-phosphor monochrome CRTs until color monitors became available in 1984.
Approximately 1,000 units of the System 16 were sold between 1983 and 1987.
Pronto Transportable Solution
In November 1983, Pronto introduced the Transportable Solution—an IBM PC–compatible portable computer based on the Intel 80186 microprocessor. Encased in a suitcase-style chassis featuring a nine-inch monochrome CRT display (available with amber or green phosphor), it included 256 KB of RAM and an EPROM socket supporting custom software ranging from 16 to 64 KB. Storage options comprised SyQuest disk cartridges (5.6 MB or 23.3 MB) or dual 5.25-inch floppy drives. This product broadened Pronto’s offerings in portable computing aimed at professionals requiring mobility.
Graphics cards and decline
September 1986 saw the launch of the HR1200 Series—high-performance 16-bit ISA graphics cards targeting the computer-aided design (CAD) sector. These cards were compatible with IBM PC/AT and RT PC platforms and supported display resolutions up to 1280×1024 pixels with either 16 or 256 simultaneous colors chosen from a palette of 4,096 options. Despite this technological progress, Pronto Computers filed for bankruptcy in 1987 following its initial public offering during the Black Monday financial crisis, marking a major setback in its market presence and business trajectory.