---
title: Sord M 170
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Professional Computer
origins:
- Japan
years:
- '1978'
cpus:
- Z80
params:
  name: M 170
  image: /media/museum/photos/sord_m170_system_1.jpg
  company: /companies/sord
  company_name: Sord
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: M 170
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: Sord
  - label: TYPE
    value: Professional Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: Japan
  - label: YEAR
    value: May 1978
  - label: END OF PRODUCTION
    value: Unknown
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: ROM monitor
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: Full-stroke keyboard. 56 keys + 18 function and numeric keypad
  - label: CPU
    value: Z80
  - label: SPEED
    value: 2 MHz (a few cranked it up to 4)
  - label: RAM
    value: 16 KB or 32 KB (Model B)
  - label: ROM
    value: 4 KB (Monitor program)
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 64 chars. x 24 lines.
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: 'ACE version: 320 x 256 monochrome or 160 x 256'
  - label: COLORS
    value: 8 colours
  - label: SOUND
    value: Two octaves tone generator
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: unknown
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: S-100 bus, Parallel I/O, Serial (300 to 9600 baud), A/D converter, 2 x tape recorder, color or B/W monitor
  - label: OS
    value: ACEDOS
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: External power supply unit 5V/4A, 12V/0.5A (or built in the ACE extension)
  - label: PERIPHERALS
    value: 2 x tape recorders - 1 to 3 x 5''1/4 disk-drives
  - label: PRICE
    value: 'Basic version: 1500'
  tabs:
  - photos
  - adverts
  forum_thread: 463
  photos:
  - title: M110 BLOC DIAGRAM
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      Taken from the Sord leaflet

      Thanks to **Tim Mackay**
    image: /media/museum/photos/sord_m170_diagram_1.jpg
  adverts:
  - title: FRENCH AD (JAN. 1980)
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/pubs/sord_m-serie_pub_gepsi.jpg
  - title: M-170 ADVERT
    subtitle: ''
    text: Thanks to **Tim Mackay**
    image: /media/museum/pubs/sord_m170_pub_1.jpg
  oc_id: 469
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230608210900/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=469
    date: '2023-06-08'
---

The M-170 computer was originaly sold as a home computer but, as it was a very reliable system, many companies used it as a small business system. It was derived from the M-100, M-110 home systems.

Basic version was supplied with a Hitachi monitor, an external power supply unit and a cassette recorder (the M-170 could manage two tape recorders simultaneously). There was no programming langage built in the computer, only a monitor including 19 commands. One of them allowed the user to load the Sord BASIC interpreter.

The **ACE** version used from one to three 5.25" - 143 KB floppy drives units with a more advanced BASIC interpreter, and a graphic display card. A FORTRAN compiler was also available.

<table> <tr> <td></td> <td>We need more info about this computer ! If you designed, used, or have more info about this system, please send us pictures or anything you might find useful.</td> <td></td> </tr> </table>