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The VTech Precomputer 1000 is an electronic learning aid for ages 9 and above [1] manufactured by VTech and released in 1988 (USA) [2] and 1989 (Europe). It contains a dot matrix LCD screen, and a standard size keyboard. It features a number of activities, including trivia on science, history and general knowledge. [3]
The PreComputer 1000 is VTech's first child learning product to incorporate the BASIC programming language and is the predecessor to the PreComputer 2000.
The VTech PreComputer 1000 relies upon a Zilog Z84C0004PEC (a Z80B [4] clone) as its processing core. A 16Kbit (2Kx8bit) 2K Sharp LH5116-10 [5] or Hyundai HY6116ALP-10 [4] SRAM is used for RAM. As of 1992, a CMOS version of the Z80 marketed as the Z84 is used.
A Toshiba TC531000CP 1MBit (128Kx8bit) 128K ROM contains the Operating System and program data. [4] This ROM can be augmented when a cartridge is inserted into the side mounted cartridge slot and then selected, thus providing expansion capability.
Text output is supplied by a single row 20 character dot-matrix LCD panel, sound output is via an inbuilt piezo element beeper.
The following functions are available on the unit: [6]
PRE-BASIC 1.0 is a simplified unstructured BASIC implementation includes a simple line editor with the ability to change, insert or delete characters on a program line. [6]
Supported features include: [6]
The following cartridges were available for the PreComputer 1000 and also supported in the PreComputer 2000. [1] The cartridges could only be inserted with the power off before re-powering and pressing the 'Cartridge' button to activate. [6]
The same Toshiba TC531000CP 128K ROM is used in some cartridges. [7]
The RadioShack TRS-80 Color Computer, later marketed as the Tandy Color Computer and sometimes nicknamed the CoCo, is a line of home computers developed and sold by Tandy Corporation. Despite sharing a name with the earlier TRS-80, the Color Computer is a completely different, incompatible system and a radical departure in design and compatibility with its Motorola 6809E processor rather than the Zilog Z80 earlier models were built around.
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The VTech PreComputer 2000 is an electronic learning aid manufactured by VTech and released in 1992. It contains a dot matrix LCD, standard size keyboard, 34 activities for teaching in 4 different levels for 1 or 2 players and introductory computer programming with the BASIC programming language. It has an 80,000 word spell checker and a SAT word builder. It can be powered by a battery or AC adapter. It is the successor to the VTech PreComputer 1000 model.
Toshiba Pasopia is a computer from manufacturer Toshiba, released in 1981 and based around a Zilog Z80 microprocessor. This is not to be confused with the Toshiba Pasopia IQ, a similar named line of MSX compatible computers.