Memotech MTX

The Memotech MTX500, MTX512[1][2][3] and RS128[4] 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,
£399 (equivalent to £1,364 in 2021) (RS 128)
Operating systemCP/M;
BASIC, LOGO, NODDY (MTX 500, 512);
MTX BASIC, NODDY, Assembler (RS 128)
CPUZilog Z80A @ 4MHz
Memory32KB (MTX 500), 64KB (MTX 512) or 128KB (RS 128)
StorageCassette, 5.25" floppy disk
DisplayComposite BNC, RF RCA
GraphicsTMS9918 or 9928
SoundSN76489A 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
Mass2.6 Kg

By 1984, the MTX500 had a price of £275, the MTX512 £315 or Can$1,000. A version including the "New Word" software and an 80-cps printer sold for Can$1,700.[3] The RS128 had a price of £399.[4]

Design
Memotech MTX512

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.

In addition to the BASIC language interpreter (with rudimentary windowing support and LOGO commands support) the ROM included other software: an assembler, the Panel disassembler/debugger and the Noddy graphic language aimed at children.[5][7][3]

The Memothech series featured an all-aluminum case and full-size keyboard with real keys (unlike the then common chiclet keyboard used on machines like ZX Spectrum).[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 major expansion to the Memotech was the FDX system, which added 5.25" floppy disk drives, Winchester hard disks and CP/M 2.2 operating system. This allows the machines to run CP/M.[2][3]

A Memotech-badged CGA monitor was also made available around the time of the FDX launch.

Specifications

References
  1. "Advertisement: A world apart from the ordinary: Introducing the MT512". InfoWorld. June 18, 1984. p. 24.
  2. "MEMOTECH MTX 500 /512". OLD-COMPUTERS.COM : The Museum.
  3. "Introducing the MTX512 A world Apart from the Ordinary". Computing Now!. June 1984. p. 17.
  4. "MEMOTECH RS 128". OLD-COMPUTERS.COM : The Museum.
  5. "Memotech Goodies". Evening Times. March 31, 1984. p. 4.
  6. Popular Computing. McGraw-Hill. 1984.
  7. Hawkins, William (January 1984). "Bits & Bytes - New Computers". Popular Science. p. 140.
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