My first choice would be a Xerox 820-II.  The nicest CP/M system I've
ever used.  It is not universally loved though, so it might be easy to
get one very reasonably.
My second choice would be an Epson QX-10. The ramdrive is a nice
feature.  There is a cult following though.  You could also go with the
similar QX-16 which runs CP/M-80 and MS-DOS.
My third choice is the the Kaypro.  They're excellent machines, just not
quite as excellent as my first two choices.
On Mon, 21 Oct 2002, gil smith wrote:
  Hi folks:
 I am curious what your favorite cp/m system might be.  I am getting an itch
 for some late-70/early-80/pre-msdos kind of box.  Of the transportables, I
 recall working with a kaypro years ago that seemed decent, but I've also
 been thinking about an osborne.  I'm not sure whether there is anything in
 an s-100 design that I should look at.
 I'd like to get something that is reasonably priced, yet still collectible.
  With enough decent apps around, and a modest user base (nothing too
 obscure, that is).
 Any thoughts appreciated -- thanks,
 gil smith
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M. K. Peirce
Rhode Island Computer Museum, Inc.
Shady Lea, Rhode Island
"Casta est quam nemo rogavit."
              - Ovid