---
title: FORTUNE 32:16
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Professional Computer
origins:
- United Kingdom
years:
- '1982'
cpus:
- Motorola 68000
params:
  name: '32:16'
  image: /media/museum/photos/fortune_3216_system_1.jpg
  company: /companies/fortune
  company_name: FORTUNE
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: '32:16'
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: Fortune
  - label: TYPE
    value: Professional Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: United Kingdom
  - label: YEAR
    value: '1982'
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: None
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: Full-stroke 99 keys with numeric keypad and 16 function keys
  - label: CPU
    value: Motorola 68000
  - label: SPEED
    value: 6 Mhz
  - label: RAM
    value: from 256 KB, to 2 MB (4 x 256 KB + 1 MB)
  - label: ROM
    value: unknown
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 80 chars. x 24 lines
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: optional High resolution graphic card
  - label: COLORS
    value: Monochrome
  - label: SOUND
    value: Beeper
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: 'Total system weight : 24 Kgs'
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: External hard-disk unit, Serial RS232 (up to 16), monochrome display
  - label: BUILT IN MEDIA
    value: One or two 5''1/4 800 KB FDD - Hard disk from 5 to 70 MB - optional tape unit
  - label: OS
    value: Berkeley BSD 4.1 Unix
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: Built-in power supply unit
  - label: PERIPHERALS
    value: External hard disk, cartridge tape,
  - label: PRICE
    value: from $5000 to about $15000 according to hardware configuration
  tabs:
  - adverts
  forum_thread: 748
  adverts:
  - title: UK ADVERT, OCT. 1983
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/pubs/fortune_3216_pub_s1.jpg
  oc_id: 767
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230531225206/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=767
    date: '2023-05-31'
---

When the 32:16 was launched, Fortune Systems Corp. advertised that it was the first integrated Unix-based system for $5000. Actually, the cheaper version was a single floppy disc, single user system that was never sold. A practical small business multiuser configuation, called System 10, and including a 10 MB hard disk and 512 KB of RAM costed about $9000.

The system could support up to 4 four-port serial terminal controllers and several other peripheral controllers: storage modules, Parallel interfaces, high resolution graphic board and Ethernet network board. The keyboard was a close cousin of the Wang word-processing system one. Keys was well arranged and color coded. The system came with different hard-disk storage options, 5, 10, 20 or even 70 MB on latest models.

The Fortune 32:16 was a true multiuser multitasking Unix based system offering services that was a length ahead over CP/M's. However, both Unix and Fortune was new to most of the dealers and users. Fortune offered them training courses in hardware, operating system and application software.

A wide range of high quality business application software was available, as well as programming languages, like a very extended BASIC able to convert code written in other BASICs (AppleSoft, MBASIC, CBASIC, TRS-80 BASIC), PASCAL, FORTRAN 77, COBOL and, of course, C language.

The 32:16 was also built and sold in France by Thomson under the name of [Micromega 32](/museum/thomson-micromega-32/)