Memotech MTX
Memotech MTX500
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| Manufacturer | Memotech |
|---|---|
| Release date | 1983 |
| CPU | Zilog Z80A |
| Display | TMS9929A |
The Memotech MTX500, MTX512 and RS128 were a series of Zilog Z80A processor-based home computers released by Memotech in 1983 and 1984. They were technically similar to MSX computers, but were not compatible.
The MTX500 had 32 KB of RAM, the MTX512 had 64KB, and the RS128 had 128KB. Although the Z80A could only address a maximum of 64KB at a time, the MTX and RS128's extra memory, up to a maximum of 768KB, was accessible through the technique of page switching. All models had 32KB of ROM accessible in the first 24KB of address space. The extra 8KB of ROM was available through page switching. The ROM could be switched out entirely, allowing the full 16-bit address space to be used for RAM.
The computers featured an all-aluminium case and full size keyboard with real keys (unlike the chiclet keyboard used on the Sinclair ZX Spectrum). In addition to the standard (for the time) BASIC language interpreter, it included some other software:
The computers also featured support for plug-in ROM cartridges (a little like the BBC Micro). The most popular of these was the ISO Pascal language from HiSoft which was much faster than interpreted BASIC. A considerable addition to any Memotech system was the hugely expensive FDX system which added 5.25" floppy disk drives, Winchester hard disks and CP/M 2.2 operating system. A Memotech badged CGA monitor was also made available around the time of the FDX launch.
Memotech had also an 8-bit Dual in-line package DIL socket for I/O controls.
The Norwegian company Norbit Elektronikk Norge A/S run by Anne Selene Fiko developed a complete Input/Output (I/O) control system, with 4× 16-bit (by swapping 8 bits at time) I/O ports, 8-bit Analog-to-digital converter and 8-bit Digital-to-analog converter, all with sensor systems for robotics and controls. The control system was designed for the same aluminium casing as the main MTX512 unit. At that time Memotech were working on a huge project to deliver Memotech MTX512 together with the FDX and the control unit from Norbit Elektronikk to 64,000 schools in the USSR. The USSR was at that time also under embargo by the United States so companies were not allowed to deliver the new IBM Personal Computers with MS-DOS, but CP/M computers were not included in the Soviet embargo blockage.
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