Right along with the Z80-RIO OS providing the ability to customize the system for the target usage, the underlying hardware could also be configured with just the expansion boards required ...
Back in the 1980s however, you generally had little choice: a certain home computer came with a certain OS, and that was it. If yours was based on a Z80 processor, chances are it ran CP/M.
The Z80 SoftCard could also run the CP/M operating system, which allowed many more programs to be used on the Apple II. The initial price for the Z80 SoftCard was $349 when it launched.