Elektronika BK-0010
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| Type | Home computer |
|---|---|
| Release date | 1984 |
| Discontinued | 1993 |
| Operating system | FOCAL (programming language), Vilnius BASIC (ROM embedded), OS BK-11, ANDOS etc. |
| CPU | K1801VM1 @3MHz (BK-0010), @4.6MHz (BK-0011), @4MHz (BK-0011M) |
| Memory | 32KiB |
The Electronika BK was a series of 16-bit PDP-11-compatible Soviet home computers developed by NPO Scientific Center, the leading Soviet microcomputer design team at the time. It was also responsible for the more powerful UKNC and DVK micros. First released in 1984 (developed in 1983), they were based on the К1801ВМ1 (Soviet LSI-11-compatible CPU) and were the only "official" Soviet home computer design in mass production.
They sold for about 600-650 rubles. This was expensive, but marginally affordable, so they became one of the most popular home computer models in the Soviet Union despite numerous problems. Later, in 90s, their powerful CPU and straightforward, easy to program design made them popular as demo machines. BK (БК) is a Russian abbreviation which stands for "Бытовой Компьютер"—domestic (or home) computer. It was also for a short time used as cash register, for example, in the State Universal Store.
Although BK-0010 was one of the cheapest Soviet PCs and in speed (as well as memory, graphics, and so on) differed little from the simple 8-bit models, this PC was one of the first fully 16-bit home computers in the world (in contrast to the TI-99/4A, BK had the controllers with the same width). It worth to mention that the IBM-PC was a 8 bit machine - only the CPU was 16 bits internally.
Although the BK series was included in a governmental economic plan, customer support apparently was not, as it was essentially a barebones machine, without any peripherals or development tools. The only software available at the launch (except ROM firmware) was an included magnetic tape with several programming examples (both for BASIC and FOCAL), and several tests. The ROM firmware included a simple program to enter machine codes, BASIC and FOCAL interpreters.
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