TI-99/4A from Texas Instruments An unique 16-Bit Pioneer Founded in 1930, Texas Instruments built its reputation producing semiconductors, integrated circuits, and scientific calculators. By the late 1970s, seeing the success of companies like Commodore and Apple, TI decided to leverage its technological know-how to create a home computer targeted at consumers and educational institutions. In …
Reference to the MSX standard In the early 1980s, home computers began to find their way into homes around the world. Computers were no longer just tools for engineers or universities, but quickly became a window into the new digital age for schoolchildren and hobbyists. One of these machines was the Spectravideo SVI-328. Designed by …
Veni, vidi, Victor – An attempt to reach standards In the early 1980s, Japanese electronics companies competed with each other on new, rapidly developing computer platforms. One of the most interesting phenomena was the MSX standard, which aimed to create a compatible ecosystem for home microcomputers. Among the many well-known names was JVC (Victor Company …
A computer of three diamonds: The Mitsubishi ML-F80 In the early 1980s, the personal computer market was like the Wild West. Different manufacturers developed their own systems, each with their own operating systems, hardware, and software. Amid this technological chaos, Japanese electronics giant Mitsubishi Electric came up with a solution that uniquely linked it to …
Sony’s Early Endeavour into Home Computing Before the PlayStation, before Sony was a household name in gaming, the Japanese electronics giant had an ambitious vision: to bring Sony-branded computing into homes worldwide. This vision materialized in the form of the Sony HitBit line of home computers, released during the 1980s. While they never achieved the …
Sharp MZ-821 – A challenger from Japan The Sharp MZ-821 is the key model in the MZ-800 series, released in Europe in 1984-85. It was equipped with a built-in cassette recorder, which distinguished it from other models such as the MZ-811 or MZ-831 . It used a Zilog Z80A processor (3,5467 MHz), 64 KB of …
Sharp – when the brand is not enough The Sharp MZ series computers were designed by Japanese electronics giant Sharp Corporation in the 1970s and 1980s. The series was developed primarily by Sharp’s Consumer Electronics Division, and more specifically by Sharp’s Business Computer Division, which focused on the design and production of microcomputers. Sharp’s MZ …
Clocks, Calculators, Computers and Casio In the early 1980s, the home computer market was experiencing a rapid expansion, with manufacturers across the globe vying for a place in the living rooms of consumers. Among these, Casio, better known for its calculators and electronic instruments, made a foray into personal computing with the Casio MX-10, a …
The Atari STE: A Technological Evolution of the ST Line In the fast-paced world of 1980s personal computing, Atari was one of the most innovative yet underappreciated players. Following the success of its ST line, Atari introduced the STE series in 1989 as a significant upgrade to its aging ST architecture. Among the first models …
Professional Ambitions in the 16-Bit Era by Atari In the second half of the 1980s, personal computing was undergoing a period of rapid transformation. The early 8-bit home computer boom had given way to a new generation of 16-bit machines that promised far more power, sophistication, and versatility. In this changing landscape, Atari—best known in …
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