---
title: Fujitsu FM-X
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Home Computer
origins:
- Japan
years:
- '1983'
cpus:
- Zilog Z80A
params:
  name: FM-X
  image: /media/museum/photos/fujitsu-fmx_1s.jpg
  company: /companies/fujitsu
  company_name: Fujitsu
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: FM-X
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: Fujitsu
  - label: TYPE
    value: Home Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: Japan
  - label: YEAR
    value: December 1983
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: Microsoft Extended Basic (MSX Basic V1.0)
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: Mechanical QWERTY keyboard (including 5 function keys, 4 arrow keys + CLS/HOM, DEL, INS, SELECT, ESC, GRAPH, CAPS LOCK, RAB, CTRL, STOP))
  - label: CPU
    value: Zilog Z80A
  - label: SPEED
    value: 3.58 MHz
  - label: CO-PROCESSOR
    value: Texas Instruments TMS9928ANL
  - label: RAM
    value: 16 KB
  - label: VRAM
    value: 16 KB
  - label: ROM
    value: 32 KB BASIC/BIOS ( MSX BASIC V1.0)
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: |-
      Mode 0 : 40 x 24\
      Mode 1 : 32 x 24
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: |-
      Mode 2 : 256 x 192 with 16 colors (Hires mode)\
      Mode 3 : 64 x 48 with 16 colors (Multi colour mode)\
      32 sprites
  - label: COLORS
    value: 8/16
  - label: SOUND
    value: General Instruments AY-3-8910 Programmable Sound Generator (3 channels, 8 octaves). Internal speaker.
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: 380 x 245 x 80 mm (WxLxH) / 2.6 Kg
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: RF video output, RDGB video output, Audio out, Tape recorder, 2 x joystick connectors, 1 x cartridge slot, Expansion slot
  - label: OS
    value: MSX DOS
  - label: PRICE
    value: ¥49,800 (Japan, 1983)
  forum_thread: 1296
  oc_id: 1331
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230208075855/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1331
    date: '2023-02-08'
---

The Fujitsu FM-X is one of the first MSX models to be released, and the only MSX computer ever made by Fujitsu. Indeed Fujitsu had another competing computer range which was quite successful, in the form of the [FM-7](/museum/fujitsu-fm-7/), [FM-8](/museum/fujitsu-fm-8/) and [FM-77](/museum/fujitsu-fm-77-av/), and which were based on a Motorola 6809 processor. Thus Fujitsu didn't really insist in producing other MSX models.

The FM-X has only 16 KB of RAM, 1 cartridge port and no printer interface. It's a very minimal version of a MSX computer.

Hopefully by inserting the Fujitsu MB22451 cartridge in the 60-pin expansion slot, you get an additional 16KB RAM and a printer interface.

With the Fujitsu MB22450 expansion package, you could something crazy: connect the FM-X to the [FM-7](/museum/commodore-amiga-4000/) so that each computer can benefit from each other features !! For example, the FM-X can thus use 32 KB RAM from the FM-7, or the optional FM sound chip, or the printer, or the RS-232C card, or use its keyboard or even use the FM-7 monitor to view/modify the content of the memory, etc. Crazy I told you!

In the opposite direction, the FM-7 could use the PSG channels of the FM-X, or its connected joysticks.

Although the FM-X has a standard Texas Instruments TMS9928ANL VDP, the RGB colors are different because an additional circuit reworks the palette to be the same as used on the Fujitsu FM-7. It's encoded in 3-bit RGB, reducing the palette from 16 colors to 8 colors.

\_\_\_\_

Thanks to Generation-msx.nl for the picture and to MSX.org for some of the info !

<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>