website/content/museum/zba-consul-2717.md

---
title: ZBA Consul 2717
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Professional Computer
origins:
- Czech Republic
years:
- '1989'
cpus:
- MHB 8080A
params:
  name: Consul 2717
  image: /media/museum/photos/sbrojovska_consul_system_s1.jpg
  company: /companies/zba
  company_name: ZBA
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: Consul 2717
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: ZBA
  - label: TYPE
    value: Professional Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: Czech Republic
  - label: YEAR
    value: '1989'
  - label: END OF PRODUCTION
    value: '1990'
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: BASIC-G interpreter
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: Typewriter type. 79 keys with editing keys and 11 function keys
  - label: CPU
    value: MHB 8080A
  - label: SPEED
    value: 2 MHz
  - label: RAM
    value: 64 KB
  - label: ROM
    value: 16 KB
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 25 lines x 48 characters
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: 288 x 256 dots
  - label: COLORS
    value: Monochrome
  - label: SOUND
    value: Built-in loudspeaker
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: |-
      Display: 30 (W) x 27 (D) x 30 (H) / 8 kg\
      Keyboard: 49 (W) x 22.6 (D) x 4.5 (H) cm / 2 kg
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: Keyboard, Tape recorder, 2 x expansion connectors
  - label: OS
    value: CP/M with external FDD unit
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: Built-in power supply unit - 220V - 42 to 68 Hz
  - label: PERIPHERALS
    value: External FDD unit
  - label: PRICE
    value: Unknown
  tabs:
  - photos
  - links
  photos:
  - title: LARGE VIEW
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/sbrojovska_consul_system_s2.jpg
  - title: TOP VIEW
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/sbrojovska_consul_topview_s1.jpg
  - title: PROFILE
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/sbrojovska_consul_sideview_s1.jpg
  - title: RUNNING
    subtitle: ''
    text: Only 128 standard ASCII characters were available.
    image: /media/museum/photos/sbrojovska_consul_running_s1.jpg
  - title: REAR SIDE
    subtitle: ''
    text: Note the two expansion connectors next to the keyboard plug.
    image: /media/museum/photos/sbrojovska_consul_backside_s1.jpg
  - title: CONSUL & ZDA LOGOS
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/sbrojovska_consul_logos_s1.jpg
  - title: INSIDE
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      The inside electronics is composed of three cards:\
      • Power supply card, on the left side,\
      • Video card on the right side,\
      • logic card at the back, with a metallic protection against magnetic shields.
    image: /media/museum/photos/sbrojovska_consul_inside_s1.jpg
  - title: MOTHERBOARD
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      **(1)** 8228 bus controller\
      **(2)** MHB 8080A processor, Tesla version\
      **(3)** 64 KB RAM chips\
      **(4)** I/O chips. From left to right:\
         - MHB 8251 (TESLA version of USART i8251)\
         - KR580VI53 (Russian version of PIT i8253)\
         - MHB 8255A (TESLA version of PIO i8255A)\
      **(5)** Keyboard connector\
      **(6)** Dual expansion connectors\
      **(7)** Tape recorder DIN socket\
      **(8)** BASIC-G Russian ROM chips.
    image: /media/museum/photos/sbrojovska_consul_mainboard_s1.jpg
  - title: MOTHERBOARD CLOSE-UP
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/sbrojovska_consul_mainboard_s2.jpg
  links:
  - title: broucek.me.cz
    url: http://www.broucek.me.cz/muzeum/clanky.htm
    text: Lots of user and technical manuals in .pdf format
  comments:
  - author: Libor Petr (Czech Republic)
    date: Monday 27th June 2011
    text: |-
      See you last hour with Consul 2712 in elementary school : http://lipe.rajce.idnes.cz/posledni_den_s_Consulem_2712/$\
      :-)
  oc_id: 1130
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230329064014/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1130
    date: '2023-03-29'
---

ZBA is the abbreviation of **Zbrojovka Brno**. Brno being the Czech city the company was located in.

The Consul 2717 was a clone of the [Tesla PMD 85.2](/museum/tesla-pmd-85/) but had a very different design. The mainboard was located in the display case and the keyboard had a more professional look.

The machine was only sold to Czech schools. In its basic version it was used with the built-in BASIC-G interpreter which had some graphic commands. Programs could be stored through an external tape recorder.

However, thanks to its dual expansion connectors, the 2717 could be connected to an external floppy drive unit and run the CP/M operating system, or to a network. The system could also boot from an external ROM chip.

The machine was entirely built with East European components coming mainly from Tesla, but also from Russia. It had a short life, it was manufactured for less than one year.

<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>