Storied Windows dev reminisces about Microsoft’s first hardware product 45 years ago — the Z-80 SoftCard was an Apple II add-in card

Storied Windows developer Raymond Chen has shared some insight only he could, into the development of Microsoft’s first hardware product, circa 1980. Around 45 years ago, Microsoft released its Z-80 SoftCard product for Apple II users. Its purpose was to give users of Apple’s popular MOS Technology 6502-powered computer access to the CP/M software library, which was important during this era. However, to work its magic, Microsoft’s expansion card was fitted with a Zilog Z80, plus some…