---
title: Dick Smith Cat
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Professional Computer
origins:
- Australia
years:
- '1984'
cpus:
- 6502A
params:
  name: Cat
  image: /media/museum/photos/dicksmith_cat_system_1.jpg
  company: /companies/dick-smith
  company_name: Dick Smith
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: Cat
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: Dick Smith
  - label: TYPE
    value: Professional Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: Australia
  - label: YEAR
    value: '1984'
  - label: END OF PRODUCTION
    value: Unknown
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: Basic interpreter
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: Full stroke 81 keys with numeric keypad and 8 function keys
  - label: CPU
    value: 6502A
  - label: SPEED
    value: 2 MHz
  - label: RAM
    value: 64 KB up to 192 KB
  - label: VRAM
    value: Unknown
  - label: ROM
    value: 32 KB
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 40 or 80 columns x 24 lines
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: 280 x 192 (8 colours), 560 x 192 (6 colours)
  - label: COLORS
    value: '8'
  - label: SOUND
    value: Four voices (AY-8912 sound chip)
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: Unknown
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: Tape recorder, Bus expansion, TV aerial, composite video, joystick, Parallel, Serial
  - label: BUILT IN MEDIA
    value: None
  - label: OS
    value: DOS 3.3, CP/M 2.2
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: Built-in power supply unit
  - label: PERIPHERALS
    value: 5.25 floppy disk drives, Apple II emulator cartridge
  - label: PRICE
    value: A$1195 (see price list in adverts section)
  tabs:
  - adverts
  forum_thread: 949
  adverts:
  - title: DICK SMITH ADVERT
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      Price list close-up in Australian$:\
      Basic CAT computer X-7500 **$1195.00**\
      Disk Drive X-7505 **$1495.00**\
      Disk Controller X-7510 **$149.95**\
      Emulator Cartridge X-7530 **$149.95**\
      Dual Joysticks X-7520 **$49.95**\
      RF Modulator X-7550 **$49.95**\
      RS-232C Serial Adaptor X-7515 **$149.95**\
      Printer Cable (Centronics) X-7540 **$844.95**\
      Filer Utilities Disk with DOS & Manual X-7512 **$59.95**\
      High resolution RVB monitor X-1193 **$995.00**\
      RGB Cable X-7560 **$44.95**\
      High Res. Green Monitor X-1220 **$395.00**
    image: /media/museum/pubs/dicksmith_cat_pub_s1.jpg
  oc_id: 974
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230214150159/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=974
    date: '2023-02-14'
---

The Cat was a rebadged version of the [Laser 3000](/museum/video-technology-laser-3000/), made in Hong-Kong.

It was partially compatible with the [Apple II](/museum/apple-ii/) computer in its basic version, but quite fully compatible when the Apple II emulator cartridge was inserted.

It ran Apple DOS 3.3 operating system or CP/M 2.2 with an optional Z80 card.

Thanks to **Murray Moffatt** for information and pictures.