---
title: ACCESS Computer
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Transportable
origins:
- U.S.A.
years:
- '1982'
cpus:
- Zilog Z80A
params:
  name: ACCESS Computer
  image: /media/museum/photos/access.jpg
  company: /companies/access-computer
  company_name: ACCESS COMPUTER
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: ACCESS Computer
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: ACCESS Computer
  - label: TYPE
    value: Transportable
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: U.S.A.
  - label: YEAR
    value: '1982'
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: None
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: Full stroke keyboard with numeric keypad
  - label: CPU
    value: Zilog Z80A
  - label: SPEED
    value: Unknown
  - label: CO-PROCESSOR
    value: Unknown
  - label: RAM
    value: 64 KB
  - label: ROM
    value: Unknown
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 80 chars x 24 lines
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: Unknown
  - label: COLORS
    value: Monochrome (9.5 built-in amber display)
  - label: SOUND
    value: Unknown
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: Unknown / 17 Kg
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: Parallel ans Serial ports, modem cups on the top
  - label: BUILT IN MEDIA
    value: Two 5.25'' disk-drives
  - label: OS
    value: CP/M
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: Built-in power supply unit
  - label: PRICE
    value: Unknown
  tabs:
  - photos
  - adverts
  - links
  forum_thread: 363
  photos:
  - title: FIRST VERSION
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      The machine is connected to a larger monochrome monitor.

      Thanks to **Dennis Woodling**
    image: /media/museum/photos/actrix_access_system_s1.jpg
  - title: REAR
    subtitle: ''
    text: '...with printer and acoustic modem on top'
    image: /media/museum/photos/access_matrix_rear_1.jpg
  adverts:
  - title: ADVERT (SEPT.1983)
    subtitle: ''
    text: from New Zealand Bits & Bytes magazine
    image: null
  links:
  - title: About the Matrix project
    url: http://www.digibarn.com/collections/systems/actrix/index.html
    text: Neat article by Jay Berg, original designer of the Access Matrix
  - title: Actrix and Access Computers
    url: http://www.actrixcomputer.com/
    text: Unofficial homepage for Actrix and Access Matrix Computers
  oc_id: 359
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230415202048/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=359
    date: '2023-04-15'
---

The Access Computer had a 9.5" built-in screen (amber) and a built-in 80 CPS Dot Matrix Printer. It also had a built-in modem and came with a full range of software : CP/M, CBasic, Communication software, Perfect Writer, Speller, Filer and Calc.

The name of the machine was shortly changed to [Actrix](/museum/actrix-ds/) (Access Matrix) because of copyright issues.

---

From **Tom Creviston**:\
I sold, maintained, studied, and used this computer. It was unique in that it had a detachable keyboard, TWO 5-1/4" disk drives, an EPSON MX-80 printer built-in to the top, a built-in 300 baud modem, a parallel printer port, a plug-in 8088 IBM-PC card, serial ports, and a full complement of CP/M software including the Perfect Word, DBase, CBasic, and a host of utilities that would make most programmers proud. I ran a FORTH operating system on this machine that ran my observatory for a long time.\
It was the best portable at the time and still has features that beat "laptops" to this day. Such as input, communication, print apability, transportibility, throw it in the trunk and make it work later capability.

**Bob Montgomery's** opinion:\
I developed the communications utility and various other programs for this computer. I worked for the company about a year as a contract programmer.\
The computer included everything but the kitchen sink. Unfortunately, the design wasn't very well thought out and it wasn't very reliable.\
Access Martix was founded by the same individual who manufactured boards for the [Osborne](/museum/osborne-corp-osborne-1/) transportable.

**Michael O'Donnell** recalls:\
I bought one of these in 1983 and used it for about four years, until I replaced it with an IBM PS/2. Even then I continued to use it as a backup machine. I would have students use it to type in lecture notes, then send them to the IBM via the built-in modem (across the hall).\
I found it to be pretty stable, and it never broke down on me. But this computer was "portable" only if you needed a weight lifting workout. Mine came with CP/M and lots of Basic software; I programmed statistical routines in basic with this.

<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>