Q1 Corporation
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer manufacturing |
| Founded | 1971 |
| Founder | Daniel Alroy |
| Defunct | 1974 |
| Fate | Acquired by Nixdorf Computer AG |
| Headquarters | New York, NY , United States |
| Products | Microcomputers (Q1/T, Q1/C, Q1/Lite, Q1-68000), peripherals (floppy drives, hard drives, tape drives, printers) |
Q1 Corporation was an American computer manufacturer established in 1971 by Daniel Alroy, with its main office located in New York, NY. The company focused on producing and marketing early microcomputers until it was acquired by Nixdorf Computer AG in 1974.
Q1/T and Q1/C (Initial generation)
Introduced in 1972, the first-generation Q1/T computer utilized the Intel 8008 microprocessor and supported programming in PL/I. Memory capacity ranged from 4 KB up to 16 KB, configurable in 4K increments. Its desktop console featured an alphanumeric keyboard, a single-line display capable of showing 80 characters, and an integrated printer. The processing unit, memory modules, input/output interfaces, and two floppy disk drives were contained within a separate desk-sized chassis.
The inaugural Q1/T system was delivered to the Litcom Division of Litton Industries in December 1972. Pricing for early models began at $10,000 for systems with 4K memory and increased to $20,000 for higher memory configurations. By 1973, installations of Q1 systems had expanded internationally to countries such as Germany, Hong Kong, and Taiwan through Taiwan Automation Co.
The subsequent Q1/C model enhanced memory addressing capabilities to 64K with a minimum of 16K. It employed IBM 3740-compatible floppy disks with approximately 262 KB storage per disk—substantially more than the Q1/T’s 10 KB capacity. A single Q1/C system could accommodate up to six desktop consoles and four floppy disk drives. Additional peripherals like external printers, hard disk drives, and teletype interfaces were also available to complement these first-generation computers.
Q1/Lite (Second generation)
Released in 1974, the second-generation Q1/Lite was built around the Intel 8080 microprocessor. This desktop system integrated a printer, two floppy disk drives, an alphanumeric keyboard, and a multi-line flat-panel plasma display. The initial pre-production unit was delivered to the Israeli Air Force in April 1974, coinciding with the launch of the Intel 8080 processor. Full production units began shipping in August of that year following initial orders.
After evaluation by Computer Sciences Corp. in 1974, Q1/Lite systems were installed at eleven NASA facilities between 1977 and 1979, demonstrating significant adoption within government and aerospace industries.
Q1/Lite (Third generation)
By 1977, the third-generation Q1/Lite was designed around the then-unreleased Intel 8800 processor (later known as Intel iAPX 432). While retaining similar peripheral devices as its predecessor, this version introduced independent workstations each equipped with their own processors, memory, resident operating system, keyboards, and plasma displays—excluding printers and floppy drives—thereby enhancing modularity tailored for enterprise environments.
Q1 and Q1/Lite (Fourth generation)
Following 1976, the fourth-generation Q1/Lite adopted the Zilog Z80 CPU. To increase system flexibility, printers were moved out of the desktop units and workstations as external devices.
A variant resembling the second generation's design was offered in two versions: one including a printer (Q1) and one without (Q1/Lite). These models were also marketed under the names MicroLite and MicroLite II. They supported both CP/M as well as Q1's proprietary operating system, expanding compatibility for various business software applications.
Other offerings
Q1's product range included various peripherals such as floppy drives, hard drives, tape drives, and printers.
Although a Q1 Basic Office Machine was developed and prototyped, it never reached the commercial market.
By 1981, Q1 launched the Q1-68000, a computer based on the Motorola 68000 processor running an operating system compatible with UNIX. This system came equipped with 256K of memory, expandable up to 2.2MB, a 20MB hard disk, floppy and backup tape drives, a 24-inch color CRT display, and networking functionality. Depending on the chosen configuration and order volume, prices varied from $13,000 to $500,000, with the optional Qnet networking feature available for an extra $1,000.