CCE MC-1000
 | |
| Type | Home computer |
|---|---|
| Release date | 1985 |
| Introductory price | Unknown |
| Media | Cassette tape |
| Operating system | BASICUS |
| CPU | Zilog Z80A @ 3.57 MHz |
| Memory | 16KB RAM (expandable to 64KB) |
| Input | Keyboard |
The CCE MC-1000 was an obscure Home computer produced in Brazil by CCE (Comércio de Componentes Eletrônicos).[1] Not much is known about the machine, but it seems clear that it owned its heritage to the Belgian GEM 1000, and the Rabbit RX83 which were systems produced in Hong-Kong by the firm "Rabbit computers" [2] It was followed up by the MC 4000 an Apple 2 clone.[3]
History
The MC-1000 was released In Brazil, in a market already saturated with cheap machines with very similar features. As such, It did not arouse much attention even though it was touted as a "Brazilian computer". The fact that it wasn't a "clone" of similar 8-bit systems (like the Apple, the TRS-80 or even the Sinclair Spectrum) certainly did not contributed to its popularity.[4]
In addition to the poor design and "Chiclet keyboard", the MC-1000 had only 16 KB of RAM (small, even by the standards of 1983). Like the Sinclair Spectrum the commands of the BASIC, (which was similar to the Apple 2's Applesoft BASIC) were typed by pressing a single key.
GEM 1000 and Rabbit RX83 "clones/predecessors"
The GEM 1000 Junior Computer, also known as the French Charlemagne 999 was an even more obscure, (than the MC-1000) low cost toy Home computer for children from 5 years upwards, produced in Taiwan by Rabbit Computers of Hong Kong. It was part of a family consisting of GEM 1000, GEM 2000, GEM 3000 and GEM 4000 systems.[5] In addition to the poor design and "Chiclet keyboard", the GEM 1000 had only 16 KB of RAM (small, even by the standards of 1983). Like the Sinclair Spectrum the commands of the BASIC, (which was similar to the Apple 2's Applesoft BASIC) were typed by pressing a single key. The French Charlemagne 999 system used a version of this BASIC that used French instead of English keywords. The Rabbit RX83 had such little memory, just 2K, that many of the video modes of its "clones" could not be used, (it had just the 32×16 8 colors text mode, and 128×64 graphics with 2 background and 3 foreground colors), it was launched at the 1983 edition of the Consumer Electronics Show costing just US$99.[6][7]
Technical specifications (MC-1000)
- CPU: Zilog Z-80, 3.57 MHz
- Memory: 16K RAM, expandable to 64K RAM; 8K ROM up-to 6K VRAM
- Keyboard: 50-key rubber Chiclet keyboard
- Display: Based on Motorola MC6847 32×16 text (8 colors), 128×64, 128×96, 128×192, 256×192 graphics (2 background, 3 foreground colors)
- Sound: General Instruments PSG AY-3-8910, 3 voices, + White noise
- Ports: interface cassette recorder 1200BPS, TV output Connector joystick
- Hardware Sprites: None
References
- ^ "CCE MC1000". Emerson José Silveira da Costa. Retrieved 2016-03-05.
- ^ "museum ~ CCE MC 1000". Old-computers.com. Retrieved 2013-12-27.
- ^ Carlos Rogério. "Museu da Computação e Informática". MCI. Retrieved 2013-12-27.
- ^ "CCE MC 1000 – 1985". GamePlayerSpecial. Retrieved 2013-12-27.
- ^ "museum ~ GEM GEM 1000 Junior Computer / Charlemagne 999". Old-computers.com. Retrieved 2013-12-27.
- ^ Creative Computing, September 1983, Volume 9, No. 9, p. 202. Retrieved on March 20 of 2008.
- ^ release announcement and photo RX83 in Bally Alley. Retrieved on March 12 of 2008
