BBC Model B

Posted by musovern on Apr 13th, 2018 in BBC Model B, Vintage Computers | 0 comments

Acorn BBC model B. The Model B had the same features but had 32 KB RAM (expandable to 64K).

The “Tube” was an expansion port which was designed to connect other processors to the BBC (6502, Z80, 68000 or ARM 1 RISC). An interface card was specially designed for the tube. It used another 6502 and a Z80.

One of its most popular peripherals was the “Torch” floppy disk unit, a 5.25″ floppy disk drive with a Z80 which allowed the BBC to use CP/M software.

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Pico/ELF

Posted by musovern on Apr 10th, 2018 in Cosmac-Elf, Single Board Computers | 0 comments

The Pico/Elf is a Micro/Elf derivative. By eliminating the displays and switches (as well as associated circuitry), Mike Riley has been able to add the IDE, Serial port, and Eprom socket. Circuitry has been added to allow the computer to boot from rom by swapping 32k banks until the upper 32k is accessed. This machine also includes the Version 2 Micro/Elf expansion connector. This is an excellent small comptuer for running Elf/OS.

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Bondwell Model 2

Posted by musovern on Apr 10th, 2018 in Bondwell, Vintage Computers | 0 comments

This machine was produced by the Bondwell Holding Company, LLC, of Hong Kong, and came out in 1985. It arrived an interesting juncture of the death of CP/M and the birth of laptop computers. While there are earlier laptops and even earlier CP/M laptops, the Bondwell Model 2 came late enough that there was good enough LCD resolution (640×200) to support an 80×25 line display; CMOS chips were advanced enough to allow long battery life (up to eight hours), and 3.5 inch floppies were already commonplace. The only technology lacking from today’s perspective is that this machine used two heavy 6V sealed lead acid batteries for its power source.

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