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---
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/)