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Notes |
Manufacturer |
|
Model |
380Z |
Date Launched |
Late 1979 ? |
Price |
From approx. £2000 including monochrome monitor |
Microprocessor type |
Zilog Z80A @ 4 MHz |
ROM size |
6 kilobytes |
Standard RAM |
Originally 4 kilobytes, later 32KB. |
Maximum RAM |
64 kilobytes |
Keyboard type |
Typewrite style, separate from processor/disc drive unit |
Supplied language |
None in ROM |
Text resolution |
40 or 80 columns x 24 lines |
Graphics resolution |
None as standard |
Colours available |
Monochrome |
Sound |
None without extra hardware |
Cassette load speed |
300 - 2400 baud, but usually fitted with twin 300KB floppy disc drives. |
Dimensions (mm) |
595 x 425 x 215 (main unit) |
Special features |
Very robust rack-style steel case for main unit, incorporating a key lock and two 5¼ inch floppy disk drives. |
Good points |
The monitor program in ROM allowed the user to view and modify all the Z80A registers and memory locations, making the 380Z good for learning machine code programming. |
Bad points |
The 380Z was extremely expensive, putting it beyond the home market. |
How successful? |
Sold well to schools and higher education, but not as a home computer. |
Comments |
The Research Machines 380Z was designed specifically for the education market and its robustness appealed to schools. However it was over specified and overpriced for the home market. |
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