Memotech MTX

The Memotech MTX500, MTX512[4] and RS128[2] are a series of Zilog Z80A processor-based home computers released by Memotech in 1983[5] and 1984.[6]

Memotech MTX
Memotech MTX500
ManufacturerMemotech
TypeMicrocomputer
Release date1983 (1983)
Introductory price£275 (equivalent to £987 in 2021) (MTX 500),
£315 (equivalent to £1,131 in 2021) (MTX 512),
Can$1,000 (equivalent to $2,337 in 2021) (MTX 512) with Can$1,700 (equivalent to $3,972 in 2021) for "New Word" software and an 80-cps printer.[1],
£399 (equivalent to £1,364 in 2021) (RS 128)[2]
Operating systemCP/M[3];
BASIC, LOGO, NODDY (MTX 500, 512);[3]
MTX BASIC, NODDY, Assembler (RS 128)[2]
CPUZilog Z80A @ 4MHz[3]
Memory32KB (MTX 500), 64KB (MTX 512)[3] or 128KB (RS 128)[2]
StorageCassette, 5.25" floppy disk[3]
DisplayComposite BNC, RF RCA
GraphicsTMS9918 or 9928[3]
SoundSN76489A[3] 3.5mm phono
Controller input2×DE-9
ConnectivityRS-232 (2), Parallel (34-pin Centronics type header), edge connector (left), bus interface connector (bottom)
Dimensions48.6 x 20.3 x 5.7 cm[3]
Mass2.6 Kg[3]

Design

The MTX500 had 32 KB of RAM, the MTX512 had 64KB,[7] 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 24KB of ROM accessible in the first 16KB 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-aluminum case and full-size keyboard with real keys (unlike the chiclet keyboard used on the ZX Spectrum).[5] In addition to the standard (for the time) BASIC language interpreter (with rudimentary windowing support and LOGO commands support[8]), it included some other software: an assembler, the Panel disassembler/debugger and the Noddy graphic language aimed at children[5])

Peripherals

This series 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.

Specifications
  • CPU: Zilog Z80A @ 4MHz[3]
  • Video: TM9918 or 9928 (256 x 192 resolution, 16 colors)[3]
  • Sound: SN76489A (3 voices + pink noise, 6 octaves)[3]
  • RAM: 32 KB (MTX-500) / 64 to 512 KB (MTX-512)[3]
  • OS: CP/M[3]

References
  1. , Advertisement in Computing Now! June 1984
  2. "OLD-COMPUTERS.COM : The Museum". www.old-computers.com.
  3. "OLD-COMPUTERS.COM : The Museum". www.old-computers.com.
  4. Advertisement: A world apart from the ordinary: Introducing the MT512, InfoWorld, 18 Jun 1984, Page 24, ...16 color, 256 x 192...
  5. "Evening Times". Evening Times – via Google Books.
  6. "Popular Computing". McGraw-Hill. August 16, 1984 – via Google Books.
  7. Bits & Bytes, By William J. Hawkins, Popular Science, Jan 1984, Page 140, New Computers:..Memotech's MTX-512 desk-top computer...The Z80 system comes with 80K of RAM, BASIC(with LOGO commands for graphics), and is CP/M compatible. Starting price $595.
  8. Corporation, Bonnier (January 16, 1984). "Popular Science". Bonnier Corporation – via Google Books.
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