--- title: Research Machines LINK 480Z categories: - Computers types: - Professional Computer origins: - United Kingdom years: - '1981' cpus: - Z-80A params: name: LINK 480Z image: /media/museum/photos/researchmach_link480z_system_1.jpg company: /companies/research-machines company_name: Research Machines specs: - label: NAME value: LINK 480Z - label: MANUFACTURER value: Research Machines - label: TYPE value: Professional Computer - label: ORIGIN value: United Kingdom - label: YEAR value: '1981' - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE value: Microsoft BASIC interpreter - label: KEYBOARD value: Full-stroke with 4 cursor controls and 4 user definable keys - label: CPU value: Z-80A - label: SPEED value: 4 Mhz. - label: RAM value: 32 KB up to 256 KB - label: VRAM value: 16 KB (expansion board) - label: ROM value: 8 KB up to 32 KB - label: TEXT MODES value: 40 or 80 chars. x 25 lines - label: GRAPHIC MODES value: 640 x 192 monochrome, 320 x 192 (4 colours), 160 x 95 (8 colours) - label: COLORS value: Up to 8 - label: SOUND value: built-in tone generator and speaker - label: SIZE / WEIGHT value: 53(W) x 33.5(D) x 8(H) cm / 3.2 Kg. - label: I/O PORTS value: Composite, RGB and aerial video outputs, IEEE-488, Network, Serial x 2, Parallel, Tape recorder, Analog - label: BUILT IN MEDIA value: Tape recorder or optional 5'' F.D. drive - label: OS value: Microsoft Basic or CP/M - label: POWER SUPPLY value: Built-in power supply unit - label: PERIPHERALS value: Single or dual 5'' F.D. drives unit, Multi I/O expansion board - label: PRICE value: $650 tabs: - photos - hardware - links - docs forum_thread: 589 photos: - title: CP/M SYSTEM subtitle: '' text: The most widely used CP/M configuration with a single or dual F.D. drives unit and a graphic monitor (here a Microvitec CUB 14" color monitor) image: /media/museum/photos/researchmach_link480z_system_2.jpg - title: BLACK VERSION subtitle: '' text: Black metallic case version. Probably the first version of the 480Z. image: /media/museum/photos/researchmach_link480z_blackcase_1.jpg - title: 'INSIDE #1' subtitle: '' text: |- The basic version motherboard with only one option: the four Microsoft extended BASIC ROM chips. **(1)** Network socket\ **(2)** Network card housing\ **(3)** Mostek 8227 chip in charge of various input/output tasks\ **(4)** Network address selection dip-switches\ **(5)** Serial DIN plug 1\ **(6)** Serial plug #2. Used by the floppy-disk unit\ **(7)** Parallel connector\ **(8)** Tape recorder DIN plug\ **(9)** Accessories connector\ **(10)** Monochrome composite monitor output\ **(11)** T.V. aerial modulator\ **(12)** Test label "Tested by C.H. 18/9/83" (Thanks C.H.!)\ **(13)** 2 KB text video RAM chip (6116)\ **(14)** Monitor and BASIC language ROM chips\ **(15)** 64 KB RAM chips\ **(16)** Z80 microprocessor\ **(17)** Expansion board connector\ **(18)** Network card connectors image: /media/museum/photos/researchmach_link480z_inside_2.jpg - title: 'INSIDE #2' subtitle: '' text: |- Full version with expansion and network boards. **(1)** Power supply unit\ **(2)** Fan\ **(3)** Additional 64 KB RAM chips\ **(4)** IEEE 488 connector (IEEE 488 hardware is not installed on this board)\ **(5)** RGB output (DIN plug)\ **(6)** The network card is located between the motherboard and the expansion board image: /media/museum/photos/researchmach_link480z_inside_1.jpg - title: BACK SIDE subtitle: '' text: |- **(1)** Color TTL / RGB video output\ **(2)** IEEE 488 optional connector housing\ **(3)** IEEE 488 optional address switches selection\ **(4)** Mains power cord, fuse and On/Off switch\ **(5)** Network coaxial plug\ **(6)** Network address selection switches\ **(7 - 8)** Serial RS-232 DIN plugs. The floppy disk unit is connected to the left one.\ **(9)** Parallel I/O connector\ **(10)** Tape recorder DIN plug\ **(11)** Analog accessories DIN plug\ **(12)** Monochrome composite video output (monitor)\ **(13)** Reset switch\ **(14)** T.V. aerial output image: /media/museum/photos/researchmach_link480z_back_1.jpg hardware: - title: DUAL 5'' F.D. UNIT subtitle: '' text: '' image: /media/museum/hardware/researchmach_link480z_fdunit_2.jpg - title: INSIDE F.D. UNIT subtitle: '' text: |- **(1)** The logical card is a true computer with a Z80 microprocessor, ROM and RAM memories, Z80-CTC and Z80-PIO for the data exchanges management.\ **(2)** Floppy drives came from YE-DATA (Japan). There are double side, double density, 320 KB models.\ **(3)** Power supply unit image: /media/museum/hardware/researchmach_link480z_fdunit_1.jpg links: - title: Research Machines RML380Z and 480Z Yahoo Discussion Group url: http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/380z/ text: All is in the title... docs: - title: BASIC INTERPRETER REFERENCE MANUAL url: '#' cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/nodoccover.gif text: |- **BASIC INTERPRETER REFERENCE MANUAL**\ written by Research Machines - Thanks to **Jonathan Hudson**  type of document : ZIP\  source : old-computers.com oc_id: 600 source: url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230529181401/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=600 date: '2023-05-29' --- The Link 480Z was meant originally as a disc-less network station. It was designed to offer a lower cost computer to schools. The name "Link" meant link in a chain. It was a very reliable system, and one of the first personal computers used in the English schools. Because of the good reputation of the Research Machines computers, the Link 480Z was one of the three computers chosen for the U.K. 1982 Educational Scheme, with the [Sinclair Spectrum](/museum/sinclair-zx-spectrum/) and the [BBC Model B.](/museum/acorn-computer-bbc-model-a-b-b/) The basic version (cassette based with 32 KB of RAM and 8 KB ROM Monitor) could be extended to a real professional CP/M based system with network ability. An optional expansion board added:\ \- 32 KB of RAM\ \- Colour or monochrome high resolution graphics (up to 640 x 192)\ \- Full IEEE 488 and colour RGB monitor interfaces\ \- Floppy disc interface in single, double or quad density modes The 480Z was fully compatible with the 380Z. It was initially released in a black metal case prior to tooling being made for the subsequent beige plastic case version.