Artifact Details

Title

256TC microcomputer

Catalog Number

X1520.98A

Type

Physical object

Description

Object consists of a system unit with integral keyboard. Top of case has the following manually-incised text: "NSW Dept of School Education, Granville South P.S. (02) 632 9388 12/2/90". Also included is a data cable with round 5-pin male plug at one end and two audio minijacks at the other (probably for audio cassette storage).

The Microbee was made by Applied Technology (and later Microbee Systems) and was released in 1982 in "Your Computer" magazine for about US$ 350 as a do-it-yourself kit. It was based on a Z-80 microprocessor and came with 16K RAM, built-in BASIC interpreter and some rudimentary graphics capabilities Two parts: A: CPU B: AC adaptor The Microbee was made by Applied Technology (and later Microbee Systems) that was released in 1982 in "Your Computer" magazine for about US$ 350 as a do- it-yourself kit. It was based on a Z-80 and came with 16K RAM, built- in BASIC interpreter and some rudimentary graphics capabilities. AC adaptor, built-in floppy disk drive. 1 serial, 1 parallel port. Video out (DB-9S). AC adaptor terminates in DIN-5P connector + includes cassette and RCA connections as part of wiring harness.

Donor note: "The microbee is a computer from Applied Technology (And later Microbee Systems) that was released in 1982 in "Your Computer" magazine for about US$ 350 as a do-it-yourself kit. Comes with 16K RAM, battery backed and BASIC (non-Microsoft) with some graphics capabilities based on a Z-80. It could be later upgraded to a Z-100 bus and later 512K with disk controller by the replacement of the memory board (the keyboard was on the main board, and the memory board sat on it, sort of like a large ZX-80 with real keys. Microbee systems went bankrupt in the 80's with a computer that would have run CP/M, UNIX and DOS on one computer. The newer microbees ran CP/M with a memory drive, and was the only CP/M in the world to run Wordstar 4.0! They even had a sort of WYSIWYG word processor . They also ran Turbo Pascal versions 1-3. They have a standard composite video output and can be plugged into any VCR or a CGA monitor on the newer color model. "

Date

1982

Manufacturer

Microbee

Place Manufactured

Australia

Identifying Numbers

Model number 256TC
Serial number 213039

Dimensions

3 1/2 x 15 x 11 3/4 in.

Category

Digital computer/personal computer/desktop

Credit

Gift of Darryl Smith

Lot Number

X1520.98
 

Related Records

X1520.98B 256TC microcomputer power adapter