Memotech MTX512

MTX computers were manufactured in an all-aluminum case, had a full-size keyboard with “real” keys (unlike the cheap membrane keyboards that were typical for home computers of the time - like, for example, the younger ZX Spectrum computers ). In addition to the BASIC built-in interpreter standard for that time, there were interesting features:

• Inline assembler
• The predecessor of HyperCard (a file viewer with hypertext capabilities) called Noddy
• Support for more hardware sprites compared to other systems of the time

Also, computers had ROM cartridge support (similar to BBC Micro ). The most popular of them was a cartridge containing the ISO Pascal programming language , the programs on which worked much faster compared to the basic BASIC interpreter.

A useful addition to any Memotech computer was the very expensive FDX system, which added work with two 5-inch drives . Subsequently, the HDX system was released, allowing the use of a hard disk , and the operating system CP / M.

Different models differed in the amount of RAM - the MTX500 had 32 kilobytes of RAM , MTX512 - 64 KB, and RS128 - 128 KB (a significant amount of RAM for that time). Since the Z80A processor can address only 64 KB of memory at a time, the additional RS128 memory was connected to the address space by switching memory banks , and could be effectively used when programming in assembler .

Despite the fact that, in general, the series of computers was well received by users, these computers did not receive noticeable commercial success, which led to bankruptcy of Memotech in 1985 .

• Processor : Zilog Z80A at 4 MHz
• RAM :
  • MTX500: 32KB
  • MTX512: 64KB
  • RS128: 128KB
  • Expandable up to 512 KB
• ROM : 24 KB, contains:
  • MTX Basic
  • MTX Noddy
  • MTX Assembler
  • MTX Panel (debugger)
• Video RAM : 16KB
• Video Controller : Texas Instruments TMS9929A
  • Text modes: 32 x 24 and 40 x 25 characters
  • Graphic mode: 256 x 192 pixels, 16 colors
  • Sprites : Up to 32 single-color sprites per screen
• Sound: Texas Instruments SN76489
  • Three tonal channels
  • Single noise channel
  • 16 volume levels for each channel
• Keyboard : 79 keys
• Connectors:
  • TV (for connection via antenna input)
  • Monitor
  • Household tape player (standard speed 2400 baud )
  • Centronics printer port
  • Two joystick ports
  • Cartridge connector
  • Ability to connect expansion devices:
    • RS-232 interface with two ports
    • Drive and hard drive controller

In addition to poor sales, Memotech played an important role in the attempt to win the international competition for equipping Soviet schools with computers, which was announced by the USSR Ministry of Education. To sell computers in the USSR, the company had to cooperate with the University of Oxford and incur significant expenses necessary for translating BASIC and computer documentation into Russian, issuing a Russian keyboard and, for some reason, decided to release this series of computers with aluminum cases red, not black as usual. Contrary to the expectations of the company, the British government did not take part in financing these works. Having completed the preparation, Memotech demanded an advance payment (in cash) of the release of a batch of 64 thousand MTX512 computers with the necessary peripherals, which was supposed to be produced by the Norwegian company Elektronikk. However, the Soviet side was not satisfied with such requirements, it refused to pay in cash and agreed with the Japanese company Yamaha to supply 10,000 PCs of the MSX standard in exchange for steel and oil.

Unsuccessful participation in the tender led Memotech to bankruptcy, as the company invested all the funds it had in preparation, took a loan from the bank for production and used about a million pounds of the remaining state investments.

The bankruptcy of the company also led to the fact that the British government stopped taking part in financing all other companies that produced home computers in the UK, including such well-known and widespread models as Sinclair ZX Spectrum , BBC Micro and Apricot Computers .

MTX512 appeared in an episode of the movie “Miracles of Science” ( Weird Science , 1985), where two main characters used it to hack the Pentagon server. However, it is very unlikely that the impressive three-dimensional graphics shown in the film could indeed be created by this computer.

• MTX Fans Page
• Information and reviews MTX - part of the text in German, the rest of the content in English.
• MTX Family at old-computers.com
• Review MTX512 article from Creative Computing magazine
• Memotech MTX 512 Bet on Russian schools - a selection of articles in the Western press about an attempt to supply computers to the USSR