| Description | |
| Manufacturer | Osborne Computer Corporation |
| Model | Executive |
| Date Announced | 1982 |
| Date Canceled | Unknown |
| Number Produced | Tens of thousands |
| Country of Origin | USA |
| Price | $2,495 |
| Current Value | $50-$200 |
| Specifications | |
| Processor | Z80A |
| Speed | 4 MHz |
| RAM | 128K bank-switched |
| ROM | 8K |
| Storage | Two built-in 5.25" floppy disks |
| Expansion | Expandable RAM |
| Bus | N/A |
| Video | 80x25 text |
| I/O | Serial, Parallel |
| OS Options | CP/M, UCSD-P |
| Notes | The Osborne Executive was the successor to the Osborne 1 that almost never was. Osborne Computer Corporation introduced the pending machine well before it was available and dried up demand for their existing machine. Osborne Computer Corporation wasn't able to recover from this blunder and sold few Executives and even fewer of the later Vixens before folding. |
| Related Items in Collection | Full set of original documentation and disks including original owners packet with warrantee forms. Substantial quantities of additional software. |
| Related Items Wanted | Osborne Vixen to round out the collection. |
The Osborne Executive in my collection is one of a limited number of personalized systems sold to Osborne Computer Corporation employees. The system sports a custom Executive nameplate etched with the owners name and the Osborne boot screen displays and scrolls that name when the system starts.
There was even some custom software that detected the custom ROMs.
Aside from that the computer is pretty much as it left the factory with all of the original documentation and more.
Even the original owners package with warrantee information was included.
The case for the Executive was very similar to the second generation Osborne 1a with a fan added on.
The biggest differences were internal where the monitor grew from 5 to 7 inches while the keyboard and the rest of the front panel were improved significantly.
Like the Osborne 1 the Executive shipped with a full suite of business software including Wordstar and SuperCalc.
(Submitted February 13, 2010 08:37:52 by (a href=mailto:paulpgdeng.co.uk)Paul(/a))
can you make me a copy of the system boot disk for my Osborne executive, would be good to get it working past the insert disk page! thanks Paul
(Submitted October 14, 2009 10:07:56 by Lawrence)
FOR SALE: I have two Osborne's for sale, one tan case, one blue case, in good, working condition, software, op system, Owner's manual, 12 monochrome monitors (one green, one yellow) and the small printer with cables; and some issues of Portable Companion magazine 1983. Can anyone give me some suggestions re: pricing? I'm in Central New Jersey.
(Submitted September 26, 2009 19:49:17 by Michael Kelly)
I bought one in 1982 for about $3,000 Cdn., along with an Epson daisy wheel printer. I wrote my master's thesis on it using the Wordstar word processor. In 1982 computers were so new I was able to fool my grad school prof. I remember getting my thesis back from my prof along with some recommended changes. The changes weren't drastic but would have required me retyping the entire thesis - a job that would take a few days to complete. Of course, with a new-fangled computer, I was able to make the changes and resubmit the next day. He couldn't believe I revised, retyped and submitted my entire essay in one day. I eventually told him and he was impressed...
(Submitted May 5, 2009 23:29:16 by Mike Howell)
I have an osbourne executive with all manuals etc including some wild letters my parents wrote concerning failed modem delivery and ibm compatibility. even have the box. any interest?
(Submitted January 21, 2008 00:28:33 by Jedite Wright)
The osborne executive looks cool, but i'm too early in my computer collecting to have one
(Submitted January 1, 2008 19:06:29 by Rob Bowkett)
I have a working Osborne Executive complete with manuals and operating system, plus lots of software. Is anyone interested?
(Submitted October 13, 2007 11:38:35 by Larry Rudwick)
I have 3 Osborne Executives that I purchased new. I am considering selling them. Email me with questions.
(Submitted September 3, 2007 16:08:17 by Mike Bowshier)
I’m getting ready to post two Osborne computers on eBay. One is the Executive and the other is Osborne 1 the second release. I was researching these computers and came across this page. They both are in very good shape and show just a little yellowing on the plastic. Both turn on but due to not having any software for these, I don’t know if they will get past the “insert disk in and press return page”. I can take a few pictures and post them if interested. Thank You.
Mike Bowshier
(Submitted August 29, 2007 13:18:06 by Bruce Gebbeken)
I was involved for Osborne Computer with Test Development of Carson City, NV. We designed and incorporated a hard drive into these units and it WAS an option before production ceased. I did the interface ROM for the units. The Vixen was code named Shelley before it got its name.
(Submitted June 1, 2007 15:54:04 by john cronin)
wanted osborn executive must be complete price expected and shipping to ireland also wanted c drive and portable power supply for osborn 1 wanted hard disk drive and any service info for the drives used ii the osborn 1 drives thank you john cronin
(Submitted June 1, 2007 15:27:06 by john cronin)
wanted osborn executive must be complete price expected and shipping to ireland also wanted c drive and portable power supply for osborn 1
(Submitted June 1, 2007 15:06:47 by john cronin)
wanted for osborne 1 48 tpi soft sectored blank floppy disks portable companion magazines or any other items for osborne 1 thank you j cronin
(Submitted April 7, 2007 21:10:52 by Jim)
Want to purchase Osborne Executive in Mint condition with all software in mint condition for educational mueseum exhibit....Please advise all particulars. Thanks Jim