Hyperion computer

The Hyperion was an early portable computer that competed with the Compaq Portable for the title of first IBM PC-compatible portable device. Developed by Dynalogic Corporation and later marketed by Infotech Cie, a subsidiary of Bytec Management Corp., it was introduced in 1982. The name "Hyperion" and its retail packaging were designed by Taylor-Sprules Corporation.

Key features of the Hyperion included 256 KB RAM, dual 360 KB floppy drives, a graphics card compatible with CGA and HGC standards, a built-in 7-inch CRT screen, a 300 bit/s modem, and an acoustic coupler. It ran on H-DOS, a version of MS-DOS, and came bundled with word processing, database, and modem software.

The Hyperion was notable for its user-friendly interface, which included a menu system activated by F1 to F5 keys and context-sensitive soft keys in applications. Despite being lighter than the Compaq Portable (weighing 8.2 kg), the Hyperion faced issues with IBM compatibility and reliability. These challenges, along with faulty disk drives from the Huntsville manufacturing plant, led to its discontinuation after two years.

In 1984, Commodore International licensed the design but never sold it, and some analysts doubted its success. The project ultimately resulted in a $48 million loss for Bytec, which had absorbed Dynalogic earlier that year and merged into Comterm later in 1983.