website/content/museum/matra-max-20.md

title, categories, types, origins, years, cpus, params

title	categories	types	origins	years	cpus	params
Matra MAX 20	Computers	Professional Computer	France	1984	Intel 8088	name image company company_name specs forum_thread oc_id source MAX 20 /media/museum/photos/matra_max20_system_1.jpg /companies/matra Matra label value NAME MAX 20 label value MANUFACTURER Matra label value TYPE Professional Computer label value ORIGIN France label value YEAR 1984 label value END OF PRODUCTION 1986 label value BUILT IN LANGUAGE None label value KEYBOARD Full stroke 92 keys with numeric keypad and arrow keys label value CPU Intel 8088 label value SPEED 4,77 Mhz label value CO-PROCESSOR Optional 8087 math co-processor label value RAM 64 kb (up to 1 Mb) label value ROM 2 kb label value TEXT MODES 80 chars x 24 lines label value GRAPHIC MODES Unknown label value COLORS Monochrome green label value SOUND Built-in speaker label value SIZE / WEIGHT 42 (W) x 51 (D) x 38 (H) cm label value I/O PORTS Parallel, optional Serial and Network label value BUILT IN MEDIA 5.25'' disk-drive - 320 kb label value OS MS-DOS & CP/M 86 label value POWER SUPPLY Built-in PSU - 65W label value PERIPHERALS Printers, disk-drives, V24 communication card, high resolution card, modem label value PRICE Unknown 935 959 url date https://web.archive.org/web/20221205023127/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=959 2022-12-05

The MAX-20 (for Matra AX-20) was the same machine as the Axel 20. The main difference between them was the removal of the function keys in front of the monitor. The 'E' version probably meant 'Education'

Although the machine was well conceived and the case offered a nice design, it had no success in the private sector because of its poor compatibility with the IBM-PC standard. However, about 1000 systems were sold to the French Department of Education as network servers (first networks established in schools, called 'Nano Réseau').

Furthermore, as the computer was built by Comterm-Matra, a Franco-Canadian subsidiary of Matra, the Canadian Department of Education obliged schools to order the MAX-20 instead of the Apple Macintosh. Thee first deliveries occurred in early 1985. One year later, after having delivered 9000 computers, Comterm-Matra met with financial difficulties and ceased production. Thus, the machines quickly became obsolete and unusable in schools.