PEL Varazdin Orao

The PEL Varazdin Orao was a Yugoslav home computer released in 1984 by the company PEL Varazdin. Here's a brief history of the PEL Varazdin Orao:

1. Development and Release: The PEL Varazdin Orao was developed as part of Yugoslavia's efforts to enter the home computer market. It was released in 1984, with production continuing until the mid-1980s. The Orao was designed to be an affordable and accessible home computer for Yugoslav consumers.

2. Specifications: The PEL Varazdin Orao was based on a Zilog Z80A microprocessor running at 3.5 MHz. It had 48 KB of RAM and 16 KB of ROM. The system featured a built-in keyboard and supported a range of peripherals, including cassette tape drives, printers, and external floppy disk drives.

3. Operating System and Software: The Orao ran an operating system called Orao DOS, which was developed specifically for the system. The operating system provided basic file management and programming capabilities. The Orao also came bundled with a suite of software, including productivity applications, educational programs, and games.

4. Reception and Market Impact: The PEL Varazdin Orao received a mixed reception in the market. While it was praised for its affordability and Yugoslav-made components, it faced stiff competition from imported computers, particularly those from Western countries. Additionally, the limited software library and lack of developer support hindered its appeal to consumers.

5. Discontinuation: Despite its initial promise, the PEL Varazdin Orao struggled to gain traction in the market. Production of the system was discontinued in the mid-1980s, and PEL Varazdin shifted its focus to other areas of business. The Orao remains a relatively obscure and niche product in the history of home computing, primarily remembered by collectors and enthusiasts of vintage computers.

6. Legacy: The PEL Varazdin Orao holds a place in the history of computing as one of the few domestically produced home computers in Yugoslavia. While it did not achieve widespread success, it represents an interesting chapter in the development of computing technology in the region. Today, surviving examples of the Orao are sought after by collectors interested in preserving and documenting the history of home computing.