Husky_(computer)
Husky (computer)
Computer brand
The Husky was a line of ruggedized handheld computers released by DVW Microelectronics Ltd (later Husky Computers Ltd) of Coventry.[2][3] The original Husky 144 model was released in December 1981 in Europe.[2][4][5]
The Husky was designed to be used in harsh conditions, such as wet and cold weather, by users such as the military. It is waterproof and can be dropped from a considerable height onto a hard surface without sustaining damage.[2]
The Husky 144 is handheld, with a membrane keyboard similar to that of the ZX81, and a 32x4 alphanumeric LCD. The Husky 144's CPU is a National Semiconductor NSC-800, compatible with the Z80, and the computer has built-in Basic, 32K non-volatile RAM, and 16K ROM.[6] It was initially manufactured in response to a request from Severn Trent and was later used by the Ministry of Defence in the Rapier Missile project.
It was superseded by the Husky Hunter in 1983. The Hunter has a chiclet keyboard, 40x8 display, 48K ROM, and up to 208K RAM. Several Husky variants existed for specific applications.[2]
Husky Computers was acquired by the American company WPI Inc. of Manchester, New Hampshire, in 1997 for US$21 million. The company became then a division of WPI and renamed WPI Husky Computers.[7] This division continued manufacturing and marketing succeeding models of Husky portable computers until 2000, when they were acquired by Itronix.[8]