website/content/museum/pel-varazdin-orao.md

---
title: PEL VARAZDIN Orao
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Home Computer
origins:
- Croatia
years:
- '1985'
cpus:
- '6502'
params:
  name: Orao
  image: /media/museum/photos/velebit_orao_1s.jpg
  company: /companies/pel-varazdin
  company_name: PEL VARAZDIN
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: Orao
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: PEL Varazdin
  - label: TYPE
    value: Home Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: Croatia
  - label: YEAR
    value: '1985'
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: Basic (Pascal language supplied on tape)
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: Full stroke keyboard (61 keys), 4 function keys, 4 arrow keys
  - label: CPU
    value: '6502'
  - label: CO-PROCESSOR
    value: Unknown
  - label: RAM
    value: 16 KB and 32 KB models (expandable to 64 KB)
  - label: VRAM
    value: Unknown
  - label: ROM
    value: 16 KB (monitor + BASIC)
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 32 x 32
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: 256 x 256
  - label: COLORS
    value: Unknown
  - label: SOUND
    value: Unknown
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: Unknown
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: Tape interface, TV output, Composite video output, User port, RS 232 connector
  - label: OS
    value: DOS 0.1
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: Power supply built-in
  - label: PRICE
    value: 55,000 dinars planned but increased to 80,000 during production
  tabs:
  - photos
  - adverts
  - emulators
  - docs
  forum_thread: 955
  photos:
  - title: FRONT
    subtitle: ''
    text: Thanks to Riba for this picture
    image: /media/museum/photos/velebit_orao_1.jpg
  - title: SIDE
    subtitle: ''
    text: Thanks to Riba for this picture
    image: /media/museum/photos/velebit_orao_side.jpg
  - title: REAR
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      From left to right :

      \- Video connector\
      \- TV output\
      \- Tape interface\
      \- Printer connector\
      \- User port\
      \- Reset button\
      \- ??? switch\
      \- Power cord

      Thanks to Riba for this picture
    image: /media/museum/photos/velebit_orao_rear.jpg
  adverts:
  - title: FLYER
    subtitle: ''
    text: Thanks to [www.peekandpoke.org](http://www.peekandpoke.org) for this picture
    image: /media/museum/pubs/pel_orao_flyer_1.jpg
  - title: FLYER - PAGE 2
    subtitle: ''
    text: Thanks to [www.peekandpoke.org](http://www.peekandpoke.org) for this picture
    image: /media/museum/pubs/pel_orao_flyer_2.jpg
  emulators:
  - title: Orao emulator
    url: http://www.foing.hr/~fng_josip/orao.htm
    platform: Windows
    text: Site is in Croatian. Includes few games
  docs:
  - title: USER MANUAL
    url: null
    cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/orao_manual.jpg
    text: |-
      **USER MANUAL**\
      written by Velebit

       compiled/archived by PONGRAÈIÆ IVAN — ZEBEC BRANKO\
       type of document : PDF\
       source : www.old-computers.com
  oc_id: 981
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230608091752/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=981
    date: '2023-06-08'
---

"*Orao (English = Eagle) was an 8-bit computer developed by PEL Varaždin in 1984. It was used as a standard primary school computer in Croatia from 1985 to 1991.*

*Orao (code named YU102) was designed by Miroslav Kocijan to supersede [Galeb](/museum/pel-varazdin-galeb/) (code named YU101). The goal was to make a better computer, yet with less components, easier to produce and less expensive. Originally a Motorola 6809 microprocessor was planned but was abandoned for the MOS 6502 due to being significantly more expensive."* (source : [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orao_%28computer%29))

Orao was the computer of choice back in the eighties for educational use in the Croatian elementary schools. When turned on it would start the monitor, and you had to type a command to start the BASIC. There is no text mode. Characters are drawn in graphic mode in an 8x8 grid, allowing the system to display 32 characters x 32 lines.

**Zoran Majcenic reports (source = [www.homecomputer.de](http://www.homecomputer.de/)):**\
In 1985 in Croatia (then Yugoslavia), for purposes of education, a microcomputer called Orao (Eagle) was made for elementary schools. I believe that 2 per school were produced (so they are rare). It is a computer with 16 or 32 kb of memory, 6502 processor, internal speaker, 256x256 monochrome display, built-in BASIC and MONITOR programs. It can be connected using antenna or VIDEO connector. The PSU is integrated in its casing so you just directly plug it in power outlet.

**Also, according to Karlo Siljeg (source = [www.homecomputer.de](http://www.homecomputer.de/)):**\
"Orao" was made by a company called PEL Varazdin, Velebit was the distributor. Velebit also distributed a number of Apple II Compatible computers called "Impuls". Impuls was a Apple II compatible made by Ivel. Ivel was a company which made oil equipment. It manufactured microcontrollers and branched out in making Apple II compatibles. The company was based in the town of Ivanjic Grad. The Ivel micro was also distributed under the Ivel name as Ivel Ultra. The Ivel micro was one of the "standard" machines by the education board and they which were distributed in Croatia (then Yugoslavia) by the education department as Impuls. The company Velebit which imported Apple's into Croatia also distributed Ivels and Orao machines

**Sinisa Kolaric** adds:\
"Orao" came bundled with a small black-and-white monochrome monitor. Also, the mentioned "MONITOR" program was actually a rudimentary assembler for 6502. It was a basic but architecturally clean machine, relatively powerful for that age. Something like C64 but without frills. A perfect introduction to the IBM PC which came a little bit later, along with the Amiga and Atari ST.

<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>