---
title: CW/P Cortex
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Professional Computer
origins:
- United Kingdom
years:
- '1983'
cpus:
- Z80A
params:
  name: Cortex
  image: /media/museum/photos/cwp_cortex_system_1.jpg
  company: /companies/cw-p
  company_name: CW/P
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: Cortex
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: CW/P
  - label: TYPE
    value: Professional Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: United Kingdom
  - label: YEAR
    value: '1983'
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: None
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: Full stroke 83 keys, PC style, 10 function keys and numeric keypad
  - label: CPU
    value: Z80A,
  - label: SPEED
    value: 4 MHz
  - label: CO-PROCESSOR
    value: 6502 (Screen)
  - label: RAM
    value: 64 KB
  - label: VRAM
    value: 40 KB
  - label: ROM
    value: Unknown
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 80 chars x 25 lines
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: 640 x 300 pixels
  - label: COLORS
    value: Monochrome
  - label: SOUND
    value: Beeper
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: 34 (W) x 31 (D) x 30 (H) cm
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: Parallel Centronics, Serial RS-232
  - label: BUILT IN MEDIA
    value: 2 x 200 KB 5.25'' floppy disc drives in separate unit
  - label: OS
    value: Special version of CP/M-80
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: Built-in power supply unit
  - label: PERIPHERALS
    value: 5.25'' or 8'' Hard disk controller connector, 800 KB 5.25'' floppy drives
  - label: PRICE
    value: £1795 (U.K., 1984)
  tabs:
  - adverts
  forum_thread: 879
  adverts:
  - title: U.K. AD. 1984
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      Advert said:

      CORTEX has been designed not to dominate your desk, to leave room for your calendar, your telephone, your in-tray and the rest. If you want it inconspicuous, buy iy in conventional cream. But for extroverts, and the fashion conscious, CORTEX comes in bright, bright colours - warm red, C/WP green, sunshine yellow, ice white and all black...
    image: /media/museum/pubs/cwp_cortex_pub_1.jpg
  oc_id: 899
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20221205120509/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=899
    date: '2022-12-05'
---

With a few modifications en route, the Cortex system was bought by the British company C/WP ("Computers and Word Processors") from Ontel in USA where it was called [Amigo](/museum/ontel-op-1/).

Major modifications were both to hardware, including easy service access, and software, all designed to make this micro more friendly. CW/P aimed it firmly at the mainstream office Word Processor market.

The Cortex was in three main units, the keyboard, disc drive and display which housed the main logic board. The plastic housing was available in six vivid colours (some of them were not really restful on the eyes). Only four screws allowed to quickly change any part of the system.

The IBM-like keyboard was set up to generate various Wordstar control codes, and the version of WordStar shipped with it was modified to use them.

It was basically a CP/M machine with some improvements: second processor for display management and graphics capabilities. It was also one of the first machines that GSX (Digital Research's graphics standard) was supported on.

The weird styling and high price relative to other CP/M boxes didn't help it in the market. Furthermore, its 8-bit processor couldn't compete with the new wave of 16-bit professional computers, and the Cortex never met a large success although it was a nice, small-footprint machine.

<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>