---
title: V-MARC 88a
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Professional Computer
origins:
- U.S.A.
years:
- '1985'
cpus:
- Toshiba TMP 80C40AP 8-bit CPU
params:
  name: 88a
  image: /media/museum/photos/vmarc_88a_1s.jpg
  company: /companies/v-marc
  company_name: V-MARC
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: 88a
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: V-marc
  - label: TYPE
    value: Professional Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: U.S.A.
  - label: YEAR
    value: '1985'
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: Unknown
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: calculator type (rubber), QWERTY, numeric keypad
  - label: CPU
    value: Toshiba TMP 80C40AP 8-bit CPU + 256 bytes RAM
  - label: SPEED
    value: Unknown
  - label: CO-PROCESSOR
    value: Unknown
  - label: RAM
    value: 16 KB
  - label: ROM
    value: Unknown
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 2 lines x 40 char.
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: None
  - label: COLORS
    value: monchrome built-in LED display
  - label: SOUND
    value: Unknown
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: Unknown
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: Unknown
  - label: OS
    value: V-marc Operating System 3.0 (cartridge)
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: External AC adaptor + built-in NiCd battery
  - label: PERIPHERALS
    value: 8 cartridge slots. Built-in 40_80 col. thermal printer
  - label: PRICE
    value: Unknown
  tabs:
  - photos
  photos:
  - title: V-MARC 88A
    subtitle: ''
    text: Thanks to Jean-Michel Jauffrit for this picture
    image: /media/museum/photos/vmarc_88a_1.jpg
  - title: KEYBOARD DETAIL
    subtitle: ''
    text: Thanks to Jean-Michel Jauffrit for this picture
    image: /media/museum/photos/vmarc_88a_detail_1.jpg
  - title: BOTTOM LABEL
    subtitle: ''
    text: Thanks to Jean-Michel Jauffrit for this picture
    image: /media/museum/photos/vmarc_88a_label.jpg
  - title: OS3 CARTRIDGE
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      This is the cartridge of the V-marc Operating System 3.0

      Thanks to Jean-Michel Jauffrit for this picture
    image: /media/museum/photos/vmarc_88a_os3_cart.jpg
  - title: INSIDE
    subtitle: ''
    text: Thanks to **Jean-Michel Jauffrit**
    image: /media/museum/photos/vmarc_88a_inside_s1.jpg
  - title: INSIDE THE COVER
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      Display and keyboard flat cables

      Thanks to **Jean-Michel Jauffrit**
    image: /media/museum/photos/vmarc_88a_cover_s1.jpg
  - title: INTERNAL LABEL
    subtitle: ''
    text: Thanks to **Jean-Michel Jauffrit**
    image: /media/museum/photos/vmarc_88a_label_s1.jpg
  - title: DISPLAY DIAGRAM
    subtitle: ''
    text: Thanks to **Jean-Michel Jauffrit**
    image: /media/museum/photos/vmarc_88a_display_s1.jpg
  - title: V-MARC II
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      On the surface, the V-marc II is identical to the 88a, apart from the rear label which mentions:\
      **V.marc: A Division of Pictorial, Inc.**

      Thanks to **Jean-Michel Jauffrit**
    image: /media/museum/photos/vmarc2_system_s1.jpg
  - title: V-MARC II DISPLAY
    subtitle: ''
    text: Thanks to **Jean-Michel Jauffrit**
    image: /media/museum/photos/vmarc2_display_s1.jpg
  comments:
  - author: James W (United States)
    date: Sunday 20th December 2020
    text: Does anyone know if the ROM images of this has been posted online? When I try to start mine all I get is a black display, thinking maybe the internal ROM is faulty.
  - author: Duarte Rios
    date: Monday 7th April 2014
    text: This is probably from 1985-1986
  oc_id: 1187
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230510155755/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1187
    date: '2023-05-10'
---

This computer was probably intended for holding OEM programs thanks to its 8 cartridge slots. Cartridges could be ROM, for programs, or RAM to store data.

The internal O.S. allowed for management of these cartridges, running programs or copying data from one cartridge to another. The content of a cartridge could be sent through the serial interface.

The machine could be powered by either an AC adaptor or an internal NiCd battery.

A **V-Marc II** was also sold with same features but probably had more RAM.

<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>