Camputers Lynx

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Lynx
Camputers Lynx 48k (white background).jpg
Camputers Lynx 48k
Also known asLeisure, Laureate
ManufacturerCamputers
Release dateMarch 1983;42 years ago (1983-03) [1] [2]
Introductory price£225 (48K), £299 (96K), £345 (128K)
DiscontinuedJune 1984 (1984-06) [3]
Units soldapproximately 30,000
Operating system BASIC
CPU 4 MHz Z80A, (6 MHz for the 128/192 KB models) [4]
Memory48, [5] 96, 192 KB RAM
Display256 x 252, 8 colours
Graphics Motorola 6845
Sound6-bit DAC
Connectivity Serial port, Tape (600 to 2100 baud), RGB video output, TV RF out, composite video output, lightpen
Camputers Lynx 48k - Rear Connectors - Left Camputers Lynx - Rear 1.JPG
Camputers Lynx 48k - Rear Connectors - Left
Camputers Lynx 48k - Rear Connectors - Right Camputers Lynx - Rear 2.JPG
Camputers Lynx 48k - Rear Connectors - Right

The Lynx was an 8-bit British home computer that was first released in early 1983 as a 48 KB model. [5] Several models were available with 48 KB, 96 KB or 128 KB RAM. [6] [7] It was possible to reach 192 KB with RAM expansions on board. John Shireff designed the hardware and Davis Jansons the firmware. [8]

Contents

Details

The machine was based around a Z80A CPU clocked at 4 MHz (6 MHz for the 128/192 KB models) and featured a Motorola 6845 as video controller. It was possible to run CP/M with the optional 5.25" floppy disk-drive on the 96 KB and 128 KB models.

Unique features of this computer (compared to other home computers at the time) include:

Compared to, for example, the Commodore 64, the BASIC was more extensive and faster and the resolution of the graphics was better; [7] but computer games on the other hand suffered from the special implementation and lack of hardware for sound and sprites. [9]

History

The machine was quite advanced for its time. A 48K machine cost £225, a 96K machine £299 and a 128K machine £345. When compared to its competitors, such as the ZX Spectrum and the Oric 1, it was also fairly highly priced. Camputers rebranded and relaunched each machine on several occasions, with the 48K machine renamed the Leisure, and the 128K machine renamed as the Laureate. [10]

The machine had very little software available, and survived only until Camputers ceased trading in June 1984. [3] It is believed that approximately 30,000 Camputers Lynx units were sold worldwide.

Anston Technology took over in November 1984 and a re-launch was planned but never happened. In June 1986, Anston sold everything - hardware, design rights and thousands of cassettes - to the National Lynx User Group. The group planned to produce a Super-Lynx but was too busy supplying spares and technical information to owners of existing models, and the project never came into being.

Reception

After seeing a preview of the Camputers Lynx at the Personal Computer World Show, BYTE in January 1983 stated that it "offers more computing power for the money than any other machine I saw there". [11] Computing Today in June 1983 criticized the manual as "put together in something of a hurry ... confusing" and criticized the computer for not meeting published specifications and having manufacturing defects. It concluded that the Lynx "could be seen as a flawed jewel ... If the less satisfactory aspects can be put to rights, it could prove to be a very popular machine. That, however, could entail some sacrifices." [8]

Video games

There are 69 known commercially released game for the Camputers Lynx [12]

TitlePublisherRelease year
3D Monster CrazeCamsoft1983
Air raidCamsoft1983
Alien 8Ultimate Play The Game1985
Atom SmasherRomik Software1983
BattlebrickBus-Tech1983
BattleshipsB. Coupe1983
BlasteroidsH. Heggelund1984
CentipedePlay It!
Dam BusterCamsoft1983
DeathballBus-Tech1983
Delta WingCreative Sparks1984
DiggermanGEM Software1984
DraughtsCamsoft
ExecutionUnknown
Floyds BankRomik Software1983
Football ManagerAddictive Games1984
Gempak 4: Sea Harrier / Sub ChaseGEM Software1983
Gobble de SpookJ. Sian1983
GolfGEM Software1983
GomokuNetstrak Software1983
GridtrapL' Oeil de Lynx1984
HangmanCamsoft1983
HunchbackMike1984
Jet Set WillySoftware Projects1985
LabyrinthQuazar Computing1983
L'odyssée d'AsterixBibliotheque de Cintre1984
LogichessCamsoft1984
Lord of the RingsMelbounre House1986
Lynx Fruit MachineLeaver & Harrington
Lynx InvadersCamsoft1983
MastermindWillowsoft1983
Maxi-MotsL' Oeil de Lynx1984
MazemanAbersoft1983
Mined OutQuickilva1983
MissilesUnknown
Monster MineGEM Software1983
MoonCamsoft
MoonfallCamsoft1983
MuncherBus-Tech1983
Night FlightL. Corrigan1984
Oh Mummy!GEM Software1983
PanikCamsoft1984
PengoPlay It!1984
Play your card rightUnknown1983
PontoonGEM Software1983
Power BlasterCamsoft1983
ProtectorSian Software1983
RacerSian Software1983
ReversiGEM Software1983
RoaderFL Software1983
Robo-RunGazza1983
ScrablynxAlan Sauget1985
Siege AttackQuazar Computing1984
Slot MachineUnknown
SnakeGEM Software1983
Space TrekQuazar Computing1983
SpannermanGEM Software1983
Star TrekB. Coupe1983
Sultan's MazeGEM Software1983
The HobbitMelbounre House1983
The ValleyPhoenixx Software1984
The WormQuazar Computing1983
Treasure IslandCamsoft1983
Tron BlockerStephen Sawyer1984
TwinkleGEM Software1983
Vorlon InvadersLynxman1983
WASPRomik Software1984
YnxvadersBus-Tech1983
Zombie PanicBus-Tech1983

References

  1. TOSEC: Camputers Lynx (2012-04-23)
  2. InfoViews:English Channel, Page 33, 1982-12-27, InfoWorld, A new company called Camputers, for instance, is about to release the Lynx, selling for 225 pounds, including 48K of memory, color display to 512X248 pixels,..
  3. 1 2 Worlock, Peter. "Storm Breaks Over Camputers". Personal Computer News. Archived from the original on 16 April 2015. Retrieved 14 September 2012.
  4. Benchtest:The Lynx, By Maggie Burton, PCW, March 1983, Page 136
  5. 1 2 The Lynx effect: The story of Camputers' mighty micro, 20 Mar 2013, By Tony Smith, The Register
  6. "Camputers Lynx 96 - Computer - Computing History". www.computinghistory.org.uk. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  7. 1 2 "LYNX Camputers". www.old-computers.com. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  8. 1 2 Thomasson, Don. "Review: Camputers Lynx". Computing Today. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  9. "Listing of all Camputers Lynx games". The Video Games Museum. Retrieved 2023-05-23.
  10. Worlock, Peter. "Camputers Lynx Relaunch". Personal Computer News. Archived from the original on 25 September 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2012.
  11. Williams, Gregg (January 1983). "Microcomputer, British Style / The Fifth Personal Computer World Show". BYTE. p. 40. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  12. Gaming History