Sharp X1
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|
Keyboard, Joysticks | |
Controller input | Two joysticks |
---|---|
Connectivity | Printer port, Joystick port, Audio out |
Power | Built in PSU |
Predecessor | Sharp MZ series |
Successor | X68000 series |
The X1 (エックスワン, Ekkusuwan), sometimes called the Sharp X1[1] or CZ-800C[2], is a series of home computers released by Sharp Corporation from 1982 to 1988.[1] It is based on a Zilog Z80 CPU.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
The
Development
Despite the fact that the Computer Division of Sharp Corporation had released the MZ series, suddenly the Television Division released a new computer series called the X1. At the time the original X1 was released, all other home computers generally had a BASIC language in ROM. However the X1 did not have a BASIC ROM, and it had to load the Hu-BASIC interpreter from a cassette tape. On the plus side however, this concept meant that a free RAM area was available that was as big as possible when not using BASIC. This policy was originally copied from the Sharp MZ series, and they were called clean computers in Japan. The cabinet shape of X1 was also much more stylish than others at that time and a range of cabinet colors (including Red) was selectable.
Sharp never released an MSX computer in Japan. Some X1 developers were proud to develop their own technology, and they didn't want to work with Microsoft who attempted to create a unified standard.[10] However, the Brazilian subsidiary of Sharp, Epcom, released an MSX computer named Hotbit HB-8000 in Brazil.
History
While X1 was struggling to sell, the
In the late 2000s, Sharp sold desktop PC/TV combos in Japan through its Internet Aquos line, where an X1-style red color scheme was available.[12]
References
- ^ a b c "So much for miniaturization". St. Joseph News-Press / Gazette. October 30, 1982. pp. 6B.
- ^ a b "Sharp X1 (CZ-800C)". www.old-computers.com. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
- ^ "Sharp X1-C (CZ-801C)". www.old-computers.com. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
- ^ "Sharp X1-D (CZ-802C)". www.old-computers.com. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
- ^ "Sharp X1-CK (CZ-804C)". www.old-computers.com. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
- ^ "Sharp X1-CS (CZ-803C)". www.old-computers.com. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
- ^ a b "Sharp X1 Turbo Z III". www.old-computers.com. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
- ^ a b "Sharp X1 Twin CZ-830C". The Centre for Computing History. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
- ^ Sean (22 May 2020). "Sharp X1 D". Japanese Vintage Computer Collection. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
- ISBN 4-532-16331-5.
- ^ "X1 Turbo Sharp". www.old-computers.com. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
- ^ "Red Sharp Aquos". AV Watch. 2007.