The 820 was codenamed The Worm because Xerox saw
Apple Computer as its main competitor;
InfoWorld reported that Apple delayed and redesigned the
Apple IIe/'Diana' to better compete with the 820. While less expensive than
dedicated word processors such as the
Xerox 860, the 820 was expensive and slow compared to personal computers; one month after its release, the
Osborne 1—faster, portable, and with
bundled software worth more than —appeared, while Xerox charged for the required CP/M software. The 820 did not use
Xerox PARC's sophisticated technology that influenced the
Apple Macintosh.
InfoWorld in 1982 stated that "The considerable virtues of the Xerox 820 lie mostly in its use of the Big Board design—its faults are, to a large extent, Xerox's own, and in no small measure due to its rush to get the system to market" before the IBM PC. The reviewer criticized the keyboard's
contact bounce, slow disk access, and "pieced-together ... minimal" documentation, and warned customers against the Xerox-customized WordStar. He reported that three of the four computers' disk-drive units his company had purchased had problems, and "strongly recommend an 820 owner get a service contract". The reviewer concluded that while the 820 "could be a fine office computer, its faults are so egregious that they indicate a basic lack of attention to detail on the part of Xerox". While noting the 8" model's low price and Xerox's strong field service and "prestige nameplate", and expressing hope that the company "gets it act together" and fix the keyboard and other problems, he suggested that potential customers consider building a similar computer at a lower price around the Big Board. Xerox was the second
Fortune 500 company after
Tandy Corporation, and first major American office-technology company, to sell a personal computer. It had experience with large customers, unlike Apple or Tandy.
InfoWorlds reviewer stated that he and his colleagues were glad when Xerox announced the 820, because "at last a recognized business-equipment manufacturer had brought out a standard CP/M" computer at a low price; dealers reportedly were also pleased to sell a computer from a well-known company. The
Rosen Electronics Letter also unfavorably reviewed the 820 in June 1981, however, describing it as a disappointing, "me too" product for a leading technology company like Xerox. In November it stated that the new IBM PC was much more attractive; "we think the bulk of the sales will go to IBM". They did choose the PC, introduced one month after the 820;
Yankee Group said after the latter's discontinuation that it "sort of got blown away right then and there by the IBM announcement". Xerox hoped to sell 100,000 820s in two years, but reportedly failed to do so in four;
Micro Cornucopia reported in October 1983 that a dealer had thousands of 820 motherboards for sale for .95. Xerox discontinued the 16/8 and 820-II in early 1985;
InfoWorlds article stated that "few will notice [their] demise". Yankee Group predicted that the company would introduce its own
PC clone. == References ==