---
title: MICROCOMPUTER ASSOCIATES INC. Jolt
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Home Computer
origins:
- U.S.A.
years:
- '1975'
cpus:
- Mos Technology 6502
params:
  name: Jolt
  image: /media/museum/photos/microcomputers-associates_jolt_1.jpg
  company: /companies/microcomputer-associates-inc
  company_name: MICROCOMPUTER ASSOCIATES INC.
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: Jolt
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: Microcomputer Associates Inc.
  - label: TYPE
    value: Home Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: U.S.A.
  - label: YEAR
    value: November 1975
  - label: END OF PRODUCTION
    value: '1978'
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: none (V.24, teletype connection)
  - label: CPU
    value: Mos Technology 6502
  - label: SPEED
    value: 1 MHz
  - label: RAM
    value: 512 bytes (expandable up to 4 KB)
  - label: VRAM
    value: None
  - label: ROM
    value: 1 KB
  - label: SOUND
    value: None
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: Terminal Interface (TTY or EIA)
  - label: OS
    value: DEMON(TM) machine language monitor/debugger
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: Power supply. +5, +12 or -10(?) volts (sold seperately)
  - label: PRICE
    value: $249 (1975, U.S.A.)
  forum_thread: 856
  oc_id: 875
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230607064545/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=875
    date: '2023-06-07'
---

On December 1975, the coveted inside-front-cover of Byte magazine contained a two-page advertisement for "the world's lowest cost computer system". This was perhaps the first non-MOS Technology 6502 based computer system to come to market, behind only the [TIM](/museum/mos-technology-tim/) and possibly [KIM-1](/museum/mos-technology-kim-1/). The computer was named Jolt, and it was marketed by Microcomputer Associates Inc. as both a kit for $249, or fully assembled and tested for $348 (Dec. 1975 Byte).

Microcomputer Associates also sold add-ons for the basic system. They included 4 kilobytes for $265, an I/O card for $96, and a power supply for $145.

The Jolt is somewhat famous for the part it played in the development of the prototype Atari 2600 VCS, which was assembled using the Jolt computer board.

Jolt was designed and developed by **Raymond M. Holt**, Founder and Executive Vice-President of Microcomputer Associates. Holt went on to design the [SYM-1](/museum/synertek-sym1/) single-board computer, a KIM-1 clone. In the late 1990's Holt was finally given government permission to discuss his role in the development of the F-14 Tomcat. Holt claims he designed and developed the worlds first microprocessor one year before Intel.

**Manny Lemas** was the co-founder of Microcomputer Associates, Inc. Ray Holt was the hardware side and he was the software side of the business. He wrote the **DEMON** (Debugger/Monitor) software for the JOLT.\
This software was actually developed for MOS Technology for use in the TIM chip and the KIM-1 single board computer. M.A. was granted rights to its own version of the software for use in the JOLT.

Part of text and picture provided by [Brian Bagnall](http://www.mts.net/~bbagnall).

<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>