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NE-Z8000

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
NE-Z8000
NE-Z8000 with 16 Kb memory expansion
DeveloperNova Eletrônica
ManufacturerPrológica
TypeMicrocomputer
Release date1982; 42 years ago (1982)
Operating systemSinclair BASIC
CPUZilog Z80A @ 3.6 MHz
MemoryKB RAM 8 KB ROM
StorageExternal Compact Cassette recorder, 300 Baud
DisplayRF modulator monochrome video out; 24 lines × 32 characters, 64 × 48 semigraphics
Power9V DC
Backward
compatibility
Sinclair ZX81
PredecessorNE-Z80

The NE-Z8000 is a Brazilian homebuilt computer clone of the Sinclair ZX81, introduced in late 1982 by Prológica's subsidiary, the monthly magazine Nova Eletrônica.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]

General Information

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The NE-Z8000 computer is based around a Z80A CPU clocked at 3.6 MHz with 1KB of RAM[8] (expandable to 16 KB[3][1][8]). The 8KB ROM comes with a built-in Sinclair BASIC interpreter.[8]

The machine has four plugs on the back (9V DC, EAR, MIC and TV), and an exposed part of the circuit board where you can connect extra equipment.[4][1]

The video connector cable is about 120 cm long and connects the TV plug to a regular PAL-M television, outputting a monochrome image on VHF channel 2 or 3.[1] The EAR and MIC plugs allow to connect a cassette tape recorder for data storage, supporting a rate of 300 Baud.[1]

It has no switch; to turn it on, you simply plug it into the power supply. A power supply provides 9V DC power usable by the machine.[1][8]

The NE-Z8000 is considered rare,[7] and in 2013 it could be auctioned by as much as R$1000.[9]

Bibliography

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  • Nova Eletrônica. São Paulo: Editele, 1982, Edição Nº 70, pp. 122.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Z8000 Manual de Instruções [NE-Z8000 Instruction Manual] (PDF) (in Portuguese). Editele.
  2. ^ Cardi, Marilza de Lourdes (2002). Evolução da Computação no Brasil e sua Relação Com Fatos Internacionais [Evolution of Computing in Brazil and its Relation to International Facts] (PDF) (in Portuguese). Florianópolis: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina.
  3. ^ a b "NE Z8000" (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 2008-01-24. Retrieved 2021-09-25.
  4. ^ a b "NE-Z8000". Spectrum Computing.
  5. ^ Owen, Chris (2003). "South American clones". Planet Sinclair. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  6. ^ Slabihoud, Stephan. "Sinclair Clones". 8Bit-Museum.de (in German). Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  7. ^ a b Walgenbach, Stefan. "Nova Eletronica NE Z8000". HCM: The Home Computer Museum. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  8. ^ a b c d "NE-Z8000 e a expansão NEX-80" [NE-Z8000 and the NEX-80 expansion] (PDF). Nova Eletrônica (in Portuguese) (59): 3. Jan 1982.
  9. ^ Pacelli, Shirley (2013-02-14). "Colecionadores reúnem computadores dos tempos do K7" [Collectors gather computers from cassette times]. Estado de Minas (in Portuguese).