# Hyperion (computer) > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Hyperion_(computer) > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Hyperion_(computer).md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperion_(computer) > Source revision: 1346521558 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Early portable computer Not to be confused with the product line and former software company [Hyperion Solutions](/source/Hyperion_Solutions) or the Amiga-focused software company [Hyperion Entertainment](/source/Hyperion_Entertainment). For other uses, see [Hyperion](/source/Hyperion_(disambiguation)). Hyperion Hyperion PC Developer Dynalogic Corporation Manufacturer Dynalogic Corporation Type Portable computer Released January 1983; 43 years ago (1983-01) Introductory price CA$4,995 (equivalent to $14,100 in 2025) Discontinued Approximately 1985 Operating system H-DOS CPU Intel 8088 @ 4.77MHz Memory 256 KB RAM Storage 2 x 360 KB 5.25" floppy disk drives Display built-in 7-inch amber CRT Graphics CGA and HGC compatible Weight 18 pounds (8.2 kg) The **Hyperion** is an early [portable computer](/source/Portable_computer) that vied with the [Compaq Portable](/source/Compaq_Portable) to be the first portable [IBM PC compatible](/source/IBM_PC_compatible). It was marketed by Infotech Cie of [Ottawa](/source/Ottawa), a subsidiary of Bytec Management Corp., who acquired the designer and manufacturer **Dynalogic Corporation**, in January 1983. In 1984, the design was licensed by [Commodore International](/source/Commodore_International)[1][2] in a move that was forecast as a "radical shift of position" and a signal that Commodore would soon dominate the PC compatible market. Despite computers being "hand-assembled from kits" provided by Bytec and displayed alongside the [Commodore 900](/source/Commodore_900) at a German trade show as their forthcoming first portable computer,[3] it was never sold by Commodore[4] and some analysts downplayed the pact.[5] The Hyperion was shipped in January 1983 at [C$](/source/Canadian_dollar)4995, two months ahead of the Compaq Portable. ## Brand name The name "Hyperion" was invented by Taylor-Sprules Corporation in [Toronto](/source/Toronto). They also designed the retail packaging, all marketing materials and the tradeshow exhibit at [Comdex](/source/Comdex) in [Atlantic City](/source/Atlantic_City) where Hyperion was first introduced in 1982. Two prototypes were shown. The amber graphics screens, and a built-in modem, were notable features that attracted comment at the show.[6] ## Design Hyperion (front) The machine featured 256 KB [RAM](/source/RAM), dual 360 KB 5.25" [floppy disk](/source/Floppy_disk) drives, a graphics card compatible with both [CGA](/source/Color_Graphics_Adapter) and [HGC](/source/Hercules_Graphics_Card), a [video-out jack](/source/Video-out_jack), a built-in 7-inch amber [CRT](/source/Cathode-ray_tube), 300-bit/s [modem](/source/Modem), and an [acoustic coupler](/source/Acoustic_coupler). It included a version of [MS-DOS](/source/MS-DOS) called H-DOS and bundled word processor, database, and modem software. While the Hyperion weighed just eighteen pounds (8.2 kg), or about 2/3 the weight of the Compaq, it was not as reliable or as IBM compatible and was discontinued within two years. One significant difference from the IBM system was the use of a [Zilog Z80-SIO](/source/Zilog_Z80#Compatible_peripherals) chip instead of a [National Semiconductor 8250](/source/8250_UART) for [serial communications](/source/Serial_communications).[7] ## Interface This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (April 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message) The F1 through F5 keys beneath the 7" screen corresponded to five menu items displayed at the bottom of the screen. This menu was [context sensitive](/source/Context_sensitive_user_interface) and greatly facilitated entering DOS commands. All but the least frequently used commands were available as F-key menu selections greatly reducing the amount of typing required. This user interface was comparable to the many DOS shell programs available at the time with the addition of [soft keys](/source/Soft_key) in an effort to streamline the user experience.[8] The soft keys were also used in the word processor, database, and modem software that came bundled with the Hyperion, where they were used to select application commands from context-sensitive menus. ## Demise The initial interest in the Hyperion was high. An order backlog worth US$25 million had built up, and plans were made to manufacture most units in the United States. However, incompatibility with the IBM PC was a concern for buyers, since many programs of the time made direct [calls](/source/System_call) to the system [ROM](/source/Read-only_memory), and the video display and [serial port](/source/Serial_port) used different [integrated circuits](/source/Integrated_circuit) than the IBM PC. The Dynalogic company was absorbed by Bytec in early 1983. Bytec in turn was merged into Comterm in later 1983. Faulty disk drives created warranty claims for computers built at the [Huntsville, Alabama](/source/Huntsville%2C_Alabama) plant. The computer was withdrawn from marketing in late 1984, at a loss of $48 million to the company.[9] ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Commodore Launches PC-Compatible Abroad"](https://books.google.com/books?id=amQldGdl9LkC&pg=RA1-PA58). *PC Magazine*. June 12, 1984. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Karen Cook (April 17 – May 1, 1984). ["Commodore Adds Hyperion, Chips"](https://books.google.com/books?id=h9RnfyXzV6sC&pg=PA52). *PC Magazine*. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Dynalogic Hyperion computer"](http://oldcomputers.net/hyperion.html). *oldcomputers.net*. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Hyperion PC"](https://www.homecomputermuseum.nl/en/collectie/dynalogic-info-tech-corporation/hyperion-pc/). *HomeComputerMuseum*. Retrieved June 16, 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Kathy Chin (March 26, 1984). ["Commodore pact sparks talk of IBM PC-compatible micro"](https://books.google.com/books?id=lC4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA14). *InfoWorld*. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Thomas83_6-0)** David Thomas (1983). *Knights of the New Technology: The Inside Story of Canada's Computer Elite*. Key Porter Books. pp. 172–179. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-919493-16-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-919493-16-5). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Hyperion Technical Reference Guide"](https://www.vintagecomputer.ca/files/Dynalogic%20Hyperion/manuals/Hyperion-Technical-Reference-Guide.pdf) (PDF). vintagecomputer.ca. Retrieved September 30, 2022. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Dynalogic Hyperion (1984). [*HyperionPC Magazine Vol 1 Issue 1*](http://archive.org/details/hyperion-pc-magazine-vol-1-issue-1). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Brian Banks, Laura Jo Gunter, *Canadian bombshell a dud in the portable market*, *Computerworld*, November 1984 p. 93 ## External links - [Hyperion](https://web.archive.org/web/20100601023336/http://www.old-computers.com/MUSEUM/computer.asp?st=1&c=339) info on Old-computers online museum - [Hyperion](http://oldcomputers.net/hyperion.html) page on Obsolete Technologies website - [Dynalogic](https://museum.eecs.yorku.ca/collections/show/7) York University Computer Museum page on Dynalogic and successors Authority control databases: National United States Israel --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Hyperion (computer)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperion_(computer)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperion_(computer)?action=history)). 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