====== Sinclair PC200 Professional Series ======
===== Features =====
* CPU: 8086 with 8 MHz
* Co-Processor: socket for 8087 math coprocessor
* RAM: 512 kb on board, sockets for additional 128kb
* integrated cga/mda graphics adapter, connector for CGA and MDA/Hercules monitors and TV (hf modulated; PAL)
* multi language bios
* I/O Ports: rs232 serial port, centronics printer port, standard analog joystick port (delivered with sinclair joystick), proprietary pc1512 style mouse connector, delivered with sinclair 2 button mouse
* Keyboard: integrated 102 key keyboard
* Built In Media: 3" 1/2 720 kb disk drive, connector for external floppy disk drive, 2 ibm pc compatible expansion slots (half length)
* delivered with msdos, dr gem, organizer software
===== Usage =====
Download the mouse driver at http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/johnhayward/pc200/software.htm
===== Known Issues =====
The driver is currently under heavy rewrite. Temporary regressions are possible.
===== History and Trivia =====
IBM XT compatible computer "under the keyboard". Marketed also as Amstrad PC20
The Sinclair PC 200 was one of the last computers built under the Sinclair brand (along with the PC-500). In fact it was not a Sinclair at all, but a desktop version of the Amstrad PPC-512.
The case bore a striking resemblance to the Atari 520 ST case. It had a built-in 3.5" floppy drive on the right and mouse and joystick ports under the keyboard. And indeed the PC-200 was officially marketed as an Atari 520-ST competitor : same price, same disk drive, same memory (512k) and same design.
But compared to the Amiga and 520-ST, the PC-200 looked like a naked pea, even for an IBM compatible. Its two ISA slots were not enough to reasonably expand the system. Standard IBM expansion cards were nearly twice the height of the computer, thus the computer needed to be opened permanently! In 1988, the MDA and CGA graphic modes were quite obsolete as most PC systems had adopted the more convenient EGA mode.
An interesting feature of the PC-200 was a TV output socket at the rear of the system, quite rare for a PC compatible system. It shows that Amstrad wanted to market the PC-200 as a low-range PC compatible system for the whole family.
At the same time, Amstrad presented the PC 20, which was in fact the same computer as the Sinclair PC 200 except for the color of the case (black for the Sinclair, white for the Amstrad) and the TV output (not implemented on the PC-20).
//(info from old-computers.com)//
===== Links =====
* PC 200 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=85
Generated on Sun Jul 19 10:17:28 2009