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| Type | Home computer |
|---|---|
| Release date | 1985 |
| Discontinued | 198? |
| Operating system | EXOS BASIC |
| CPU | Zilog Z80A @ 4 MHz |
| Memory | 64KB / 128KB |
The Enterprise is a Zilog Z80 based home computer first released in 1985. There are two variants, the Enterprise 64 with 64 kB of RAM, and the Enterprise 128 with 128 kB. The machine was also known by the names DPC, Samurai, Oscar, Elan and Flan before the Enterprise name was finally chosen.[1]
The machine has a Z80 CPU running at 4 MHz, 64 kB or 128 kB of RAM and 48 kB of ROM containing the EXOS operating system and BASIC. The case is unique for its time, at least in the UK, for containing both a full-sized membrane keyboard with programmable function keys and a joystick. Its overall shape was also notably distinctive compared to the more conservative designs of the time, the designers stating that they wanted break away from the norm although this did tend to polarise opinions in the computing press.
The machine was specifically engineered for games, with display resolutions up to 672×256 pixels and up to 256 colours per pixel, one byte per pixel being particularly easy to program, though full colour capabilities were limited to its 180×80 pixel mode. Sound was 4 channels, stereo. Coprocessors for graphics and sound take some of the workload off the central processor, called "Nick" and "Dave" respectively, named after their designers: Nick Toop, who had previously worked on the Acorn Atom, and Dave Woodfield.
The machine came with a surprising array of connectors, far beyond what was common on home computers of the time. There is an RGB output, RS232/RS432 serial port, a Centronics printer port, two external joystick ports, two cassette interfaces, a ROM cartridge slot and an ordinary expansion port. To save money, however, the connectors on the rear did not come with sockets but instead had simple edge connectors using the exposed traces on the edge of the printed circuit board.
The BASIC ROM can even be replaced by a ROM which can emulate a ZX Spectrum, thus in theory allowing the Enterprise to run the existing catalogue of thousands of Spectrum games. Later, an external floppy drive became available, supporting CP/M programs.
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Commercial failure
Despite being particularly powerful for the time, the machine was not a commercial success. The Amstrad CPC 464 was released before the Enterprise, was less powerful, but included a monitor and cassette recorder, and retailed for less. The CPC in fact had a strikingly similar colour scheme to the Enterprise, and it may be that Amstrad boss Alan Sugar had seen a prototype.
After the initial manufacturing run of 80,000 units it is not believed that any further units were made, making the Enterprise an extraordinarily collectible item in Europe. When Enterprise (the company) was wound up in Europe, 20,000 units were shipped to Hungary where it appears a strong user community formed.[1]
Development
After the home computer market in the UK took off with the launch of the Sinclair ZX Spectrum in 1982, a Hong Kong trading company called Locumals decided to commission Intelligent Software in the UK to develop a home computer. The head of Intelligent Software was David Levy, an international chess player.
During development the machine had the codename DPC, standing for damp-proof course, to throw off potential competitors in case anyone left the development plans on a bus[2].
Emulating Amstrad's AMSOFT, Entersoft was set up to ensure a steady supply of software for the new machine.
Although the machine was announced to the press in September 1983, it did not go on sale until April 1984, at which point some 80,000 machines were pre-ordered. Unfortunately machines did not ship until 1985, by which point the competitive environment was much worse for Enterprise, as the UK home computer market had become dominated by the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC and Acorn BBC.
A successor machine, the PW360, was developed in 1986 to compete directly against the Amstrad PCW 8256, but by this time the company was in severe financial difficulties and went under.
(Source: [3])
Enterprise emulators for PC
References
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Enterprise 64/128 |
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