Scorpion ZS-256
Manufacturer | Scorpion |
---|---|
Release date | 1991 |
Discontinued | 1996 |
Operating system | Sinclair BASIC, TR-DOS, CP/M and IS-DOS |
CPU | Z80B @ 3.5 MHz |
Memory | 256 KiB |
Storage | Hard drive |
Removable storage | Floppy discs, cassette tape |
Display | 256x192 |
Sound | Beeper, AY-3-8912 |
Backward compatibility | ZX Spectrum 128 |
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Manufacturer | Scorpion |
---|---|
Release date | 1996 |
Discontinued | 2000 |
Operating system | Sinclair BASIC, TR-DOS, CP/M and IS-DOS |
CPU | Z80B @ 7.0 MHz |
Memory | 256 KiB |
Storage | Hard drive |
Removable storage | Floppy discs, cassette tape |
Display | 256x192 |
Sound | Beeper, AY-3-8912 |
Backward compatibility | ZX Spectrum 128 |
The Scorpion ZS-256 was a very widespread ZX Spectrum clone produced in St. Petersburg by Sergey Zonov (same person behind the "Leningrad" clone).[1][2][3][4][5]
Introduced in 1991, it was fitted with a Zilog Z80B processor, a AY-3-8910 sound chip, whilst RAM memory options ranged from 256 to 1024 KB.[6]
The computer was usually assembled in a mini tower configuration with a standard IBM power supply, allowing the connection of peripherals, drives, etc.[7] Various expansions were produced, including SMUC – an adapter for IDE and ISA slots, which allowed the use of IBM PC compatible hard drives and expansion cards.[8]
The Shadow Service Monitor (debugger) in the BASIC ROM was activated by pressing the Magic Button (NMI). There was also the option of fitting the machine with a ProfROM which included such software as a clock, hard disk utilities, and the ZX-Word text editor.[9][10] The computer can work with TR-DOS, CP/M and IS-DOS systems.[7]
In 1996, the Scorpion ZS-256 Turbo+ version was introduced, featuring a "turbo" mode (7 MHz instead of the original's 3.50 MHz), IDE Controller, CMOS, interrupt controller, ISA8 slot, as part of the SMUC expansion card., expansion board 101-key PC type keyboard, 3.5 floppy disc drive and a XTR modem (allowing access to ZX Net and FidoNet).[7][1][2][11][12]
Extension kit Scorpion GMX (Graphic Memory eXpander) for Scorpion ZS-256 Turbo+, comes with 2MB of RAM and can emulate other clones like the Pentagon 128. It has new graphics modes: 640 x 200 with 16 colors; 80x25 character text mode.[1]
Production of Spectrum-compatible computers ceased in 1998, with the Scorpion company focusing on the sale of IBM PC-compatibles and office equipment.
Versions
- Scorpion ZS-256 (1991)
- Scorpion ZS-256 Turbo+ (1996)
- Extension kit Scorpion GMX for Scorpion ZS-256 Turbo+ (1998)
Upgrades from the original ZX Spectrum 48/128K
- RAM 256 KB (GMX kit 2 MB)
- ROM 64 KB (GMX kit 512 KB);
- Additional GMX video modes: 640 x 200 with 16 colors; 80 x 25 character text mode.[1]
- IDE Controller, CMOS, interrupt controller, ISA8 slot, as part of the SMUC expansion card.
- "Turbo Mode" that clocks the CPU up to 7 MHz
- Shadow Service Monitor (debugger) in ROM
- AY8910/12 sound chip
- Built-in printer interface (Centronics and RS232C);
- Expansion board IBM PC keyboard and mouse controller
- TR-DOS, CP/M and IS-DOS systems
- Built-in XTR modem (ZX Net, FidoNet)
References
- ^ a b c d "Scorpion ZS-256". Sinclair Nostalgia Products.
- ^ a b "Scorpion — SpeccyWiki". speccy.info.
- ^ "Scorpion ZS". scorpion-zs.com.
- ^ "Страничка, посвященная самому петербургскому клону Спектрума - "Scorpion ZS 256"" [Page dedicated to the St. Petersburg clone of the Spectrum - "Scorpion ZS 256"]. Главная страница.
- ^ "Железо" [Iron]. Scorpion, Saint Petersburg, Trading Firm. Archived from the original on 2001-04-11.
- ^ "Скорпион ЗС-256" [Scorpion ZS-256]. alemorf.github.io. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
- ^ a b c "Компьютер Scorpion ZS-256 Turbo+" [Computer Scorpion ZS-256 Turbo+]. Scorpion.RU. 2007-02-12. Archived from the original on 2007-02-12. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Скорпион (СПб) - Краткий экскурс в историю создания и развития нашей фирмы" [Scorpio (St. Petersburg) - A brief excursion into the history of the creation and development of our company]. scorpion.ru. 2008-04-17. Archived from the original on 2008-04-17. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Scorpion ZS-256". Sinclair Nostalgia Products. Retrieved 2023-01-17.
- ^ "SCORPION". speccy4ever. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
- ^ Boykov, Roman (2023-01-22), Scorpion ZS-256 Turbo+, retrieved 2023-01-29
- ^ "новая модель Спектрума: Scorpion ZS 256 Turbo+" [New Spectrum model: Scorpion ZS 256 Turbo+.]. zxpress.ru. Retrieved 2023-01-30.