Bondwell model 2
I have the main unit (CIB).
type computer
country USA
year 1985
os CP/M
cpu Zilog Z80
speed 4 MHz
ram 64 KB
rom 4 KB
disk 3,5″ 360KB
graphic LCD 80 x 40 text, 640 x 200
color mono
ports serial, parallel
The Bondwell Model 2 — An Early CP/M Laptop
The Bondwell Model 2, released in 1985, was one of the most practical and affordable early laptop computers — a battery-powered, CP/M-compatible machine that packed genuine portable computing into a compact, clamshell design at the remarkable price of $995. Using a Zilog Z80L processor (the low-power CMOS variant of the Z80) at 4 MHz, 64 KB of RAM, and a 3.5-inch floppy drive, the Bondwell 2 arrived at a fascinating moment in computing history: when CP/M was declining but portable computing was just beginning to emerge as a practical concept.
Bondwell and Spectravideo
Bondwell’s origins are intertwined with Spectravideo — the Hong Kong company that also produced the Spectravideo SV-318 and SV-328 home computers. Bondwell acquired Spectravideo in 1984, and in 1985 the company shifted focus from home computers to CP/M and PC-compatible portables. The engineering experience from Spectravideo’s consumer computers informed the Bondwell 2’s design, particularly its attention to the keyboard and display quality that distinguished it from competitors.
The 3.5-inch Drive — Forward Thinking
The Bondwell 2’s 3.5-inch floppy drive was an unusually forward-thinking choice for a CP/M computer in 1985. Most CP/M machines used 5.25-inch or 8-inch drives; the 3.5-inch format was still new and primarily associated with the Apple Macintosh (which had popularised it in 1984). This made the Bondwell 2 somewhat unusual in the CP/M world, but also more practical for portable use — 3.5-inch disks were sturdier and more pocket-friendly than their larger counterparts.
Battery Life and Practicality
The Bondwell 2’s CMOS Z80L processor enabled battery operation from two 6V sealed lead-acid batteries providing up to 8 hours of use — exceptional for 1985. The flip-up 640×200 pixel LCD display provided a full 80×25 character display suitable for the CP/M business software of the era, including the bundled MicroPro software suite containing WordStar word processor. At under $1,000 including comprehensive software, it offered genuine value for professionals needing portable computing capability.