Micro-Professor MPF-I

The Micro-Professor MPF-I, introduced in 1981 by Multitech (which, in 1987, changed its name to Acer), was the first branded computer product from Multitech and probably one of the world's longest selling computers. The MPF-I, specifically designed to teach the fundamentals of machine code and assembly language, is a simple and easy to use training system for the Zilog Z80 microprocessor.

Micro-Professor MPF-I

Microprofessor I
Also known as	MPF-1 MPF-1A MPF-1B
Developer	Multitech
Manufacturer	Multitech (1981-1993)[1] Flite Electronics International Limited (1993-)[2][3]
Release date	1981 (1981)
Introductory price	$149
Operating system	2 kByte monitor ROM
CPU	Zilog Z80 @ 1.79 MHz
Memory	2 kByte RAM
Storage	Compact Cassette
Display	Six digit 7-segment display.
Sound	Beeper
Input	Hexadecimal calculator-type keyboard (36 keys including, 16 hexadecimal keys, 19 function keys, and one user-definable key)
Power	5V at 500mA
Successor	MPF-1 Plus

The MPF-I does not look like a typical Microcomputer. It is enclosed in a vacuum formed plastic book case often used to store a copy of a language textbook, two audio cassettes, and a training manual. When closed, the MPF-I can be placed on a bookshelf for easy storage and looks just like a book or a file. This form factor made the computer more appealing to the buyers, since it could be stored away with ease, and it could blend in with the office or home.

Programs are entered into the MPF-I using Z80 machine code in hexadecimal format. The MPF-I monitor program displays both an address and data stored at that address simultaneously using a seven-segment display. There is a spare DIP socket for adding additional ROM or RAM to the MPF-I. There are also two 3.5mm audio jacks on the top right of the computer, these are to communicate with the audio cassettes that are used to store programs and code typed into the machine. One is used to read the drive and the other is used to write data; on a conventional audio cassette deck the wires would be connected to the headphone and microphone ports.[4] This type of data storage is similar to that of a Radio Shack TRS-80 or the Sinclair ZX-81, which similarly used audio cassettes to store programs the user typed, as well as commercial programs and games the user could buy.

On 24 February 1993, Flite Electronics International Limited in Southampton, England, at that time an international distributor for Acer, purchased the copyright to the MPF-I's training manuals, as well as its firmware and hardware intellectual property rights from Acer. Currently, Flite is still manufacturing and selling the Micro-Professor as the MPF-1B.