Bit 90
The Bit-90 was a home computer that came out in 1984 . It was made by the Taiwanese computer game and console manufacturer Bit Corporation , which was based in Taipei .
Technical specifications
It was based on the 8-bit Zilog Z80 A processor with a clock frequency of 3.58 MHz and had 34 KB of RAM , which could be expanded to 64 KB. The ROM was 24 KB. Due to the TMS9929 graphics chip used , it was able to achieve a resolution of 32 × 24 pixels in text mode and 256 × 192 pixels in graphics mode and display sixteen colors and 32 sprites . The sound produced by the Bit-90 - generated by an AY-3-8910 - had 5 octaves , had 3 sound channels and had a built-in noise generator.
The keyboard is a 66-key rubber keyboard (similar to the ZX Spectrum ), but it had separate cursor keys that could be used to control the game and could theoretically make buying a joystick unnecessary. It also contained ten defined user functions and a special BASIC SHIFT key, which meant that the BASIC commands above a key were entered directly. In the basic configuration, around 16 KB are available for BASIC programming.
The processor operating system was bit 90 BASIC V3.1. This had a rich set of instructions, which in scope and programming convenience came close to the Simons' Basic extension for the Commodore 64 .
Periphery
The Bit-90 had the equipment common in the 1980s for home computers with interfaces to the outside world. This included:
- an expansion port
- a cassette connection (2400 baud )
- an audio output
- an RGB monitor connection and the otherwise common UHF port for connecting the computer to a normal television
- two joystick connections
- optionally a Centronics printer interface
However, the existing module bay was unusual ; With this, the computer game manufacturer, which was Bit Corporation first and foremost, wanted to stimulate buyer interest, as thousands of games available for the ColecoVision and Atari 2600 systems could be used.
Selling price
In the spring of 1985 the Bit-90 was offered in West Germany at a price of 598 DM .
compatibility
Due to many similarities in terms of hardware, the Bit-90 was compatible with the ColecoVision from 1982 and, with an adapter, also with the Atari 2600 from 1977.
See also
Web links
- historycorner.de
- 90 Bit Unboxing Italian
- Test report in Computronic 8/1984
- Test report in Happy Computer 2/1985
- More detailed report with detailed photos of the 90 bit