---
title: MBC ALCYANE A6E
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Professional Computer
origins:
- France
years:
- '1983'
cpus:
- Intel 8085
params:
  name: ALCYANE A6E
  image: /media/museum/photos/mbc_alcyane_a6e_1.jpg
  company: /companies/mbc
  company_name: MBC
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: ALCYANE A6E
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: MBC
  - label: TYPE
    value: Professional Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: France
  - label: YEAR
    value: '1983'
  - label: END OF PRODUCTION
    value: Unknown
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: Unknown
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: Full stroke keyboard with numeric keypad
  - label: CPU
    value: Intel 8085
  - label: SPEED
    value: 5 mHz
  - label: CO-PROCESSOR
    value: Unknown
  - label: RAM
    value: 128 KB
  - label: ROM
    value: 4 KB
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 80 x 24 / 128 x 24
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: 256 x 256
  - label: COLORS
    value: monochrome
  - label: SOUND
    value: Unknown
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: Unknown
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: 10 expension slots
  - label: BUILT IN MEDIA
    value: 2 x 5.25'' disk-drives
  - label: OS
    value: Alcybase, French OS and language, optional CP/M
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: Built-in power supply unit
  - label: PRICE
    value: 5350 at the end of production
  forum_thread: 75
  oc_id: 59
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230603204927/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=59
    date: '2023-06-03'
---

The Alcyane had a very powerful basic for files managing called Alcybase. It could use a specific version of APL. It was possible to network 2 to 4 computers together.

The manufacturer was MATRA DATASYSTEM (until 1986) These computers where mainly sold with 10 MB removable 12" hard disks from CII Honneywell Bull.\
A multi-user system was also released, called **A10**.

Jean Pierre Bouhot was one of the founders of MBC. The C letter came from COTTIN who went into partnership with Bouhot.\
Initial planned company name was MBI, anagram of IBM with the slogan "L'informatique à l'envers" (computing backwards).\
Bouhot also created the French magazine "L'informatique professionnelle" which is still alive and is now property of Gartner Group through his 1997 aquisition of "Bouhot & Le Gendre" consulting French Cie.

<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>