Amstrad

Amstrad CPC, PC-compatible, PCW and PenPad machines from the collection.

The collection includes examples from several very different Amstrad ranges: home computers, PC-compatible systems, word processors and a pen-driven organiser.

Detailed entries

1988

PPC640

Released: 1988
Type: IBM PC compatible
CPU: 8086 at 4.77 MHz
RAM: 640K
Storage: Twin 5.25-inch floppy disk drives
Keyboard: Full-size, folding over to close the unit
Display: Monochrome CGA LCD; external colour or monochrome monitor
Graphics: CGA plus an extended 640×200 16-colour mode
Power: Ten D cells or an external 12-volt adaptor
Weight: 22 lb
Communications: Built-in modem

A substantial but heavy early attempt at a PC laptop, with a folding keyboard and non-backlit LCD.

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Short entries

1984–1985

CPC 464, CPC 664 and CPC 6128

Amstrad CPC 6128 computer — Amstrad CPC 6128

Models: CPC 464 (1984): built-in tape and 64K RAM; CPC 664 (1984): built-in 3-inch floppy disk and 64K RAM; CPC 6128 (1985): built-in 3-inch floppy disk and 128K RAM
CPU: Z80 at 3.3 MHz
Display: 16-inch monochrome monitor or 14-inch colour monitor
Graphics: 160×200 in 16 colours, 320×200 in four colours, or 640×200 in two colours; 27-colour palette
Sound: Three-channel AY-3-8912
Controls: One joystick port supporting two joysticks with a special lead

Three closely related CPC models, differentiated mainly by memory and built-in storage.

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1986

PC1512 and PC1640

Amstrad PC1512 computer — Amstrad PC1512

Released: 1986
Type: IBM PC compatible
CPU: 8086
RAM: 512K or 640K
Storage: Twin 5.25-inch floppy disk drives
Display: Colour or monochrome monitor, containing the system power supply
Graphics: CGA plus an extended 640×200 16-colour mode

Amstrad’s early IBM PC-compatible desktop range.

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1985

PCW8256, PCW8512, PCW9256 and PCW9512

Amstrad PCW word processor — Amstrad PCW

Released: PCW8256 released in 1985
Type: Word processor supplied with a printer containing the power supply
CPU: Z80
Operating system: CP/M
RAM: 256K or 512K banked RAM
Display: 90×32 text or 720×256 graphics
Storage: 3-inch floppy disks

A family of integrated word-processing systems.

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1993

PDA-600 PenPad

Released: 1993
Processors: Z180 main processor, Z8 power manager and Z8 character-recognition processor
Memory: 128K main RAM, 32K display RAM and 32K recogniser RAM
Interfaces: RS-232 and PCMCIA Type I
Display: 240×320 monochrome non-backlit touchscreen LCD
Power: Three AA batteries with lithium backup
Software: Calculator, address book, notepad, diary, to-do list, world clock and conversion tools
Input: Basic character recognition

A pen-driven personal organiser with a touchscreen and basic handwriting recognition.

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