yann64andClaude Opus 5.5
b274874139
1,289 discussions, 9,527 archived comments; pages no longer carry the comments themselves. Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5.5 <noreply@anthropic.com> Claude-Session: https://claude.ai/code/session_01YDRjtmAiNpo5mK5N3d7QwZ
178 lines
6.6 KiB
Markdown
178 lines
6.6 KiB
Markdown
---
|
||
title: Research Machines LINK 480Z
|
||
categories:
|
||
- Computers
|
||
types:
|
||
- Professional Computer
|
||
origins:
|
||
- United Kingdom
|
||
years:
|
||
- '1981'
|
||
cpus:
|
||
- Z-80A
|
||
params:
|
||
name: LINK 480Z
|
||
image: /media/museum/photos/researchmach_link480z_system_1.jpg
|
||
company: /companies/research-machines
|
||
company_name: Research Machines
|
||
specs:
|
||
- label: NAME
|
||
value: LINK 480Z
|
||
- label: MANUFACTURER
|
||
value: Research Machines
|
||
- label: TYPE
|
||
value: Professional Computer
|
||
- label: ORIGIN
|
||
value: United Kingdom
|
||
- label: YEAR
|
||
value: '1981'
|
||
- label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
|
||
value: Microsoft BASIC interpreter
|
||
- label: KEYBOARD
|
||
value: Full-stroke with 4 cursor controls and 4 user definable keys
|
||
- label: CPU
|
||
value: Z-80A
|
||
- label: SPEED
|
||
value: 4 Mhz.
|
||
- label: RAM
|
||
value: 32 KB up to 256 KB
|
||
- label: VRAM
|
||
value: 16 KB (expansion board)
|
||
- label: ROM
|
||
value: 8 KB up to 32 KB
|
||
- label: TEXT MODES
|
||
value: 40 or 80 chars. x 25 lines
|
||
- label: GRAPHIC MODES
|
||
value: 640 x 192 monochrome, 320 x 192 (4 colours), 160 x 95 (8 colours)
|
||
- label: COLORS
|
||
value: Up to 8
|
||
- label: SOUND
|
||
value: built-in tone generator and speaker
|
||
- label: SIZE / WEIGHT
|
||
value: 53(W) x 33.5(D) x 8(H) cm / 3.2 Kg.
|
||
- label: I/O PORTS
|
||
value: Composite, RGB and aerial video outputs, IEEE-488, Network, Serial x 2, Parallel, Tape recorder, Analog
|
||
- label: BUILT IN MEDIA
|
||
value: Tape recorder or optional 5'' F.D. drive
|
||
- label: OS
|
||
value: Microsoft Basic or CP/M
|
||
- label: POWER SUPPLY
|
||
value: Built-in power supply unit
|
||
- label: PERIPHERALS
|
||
value: Single or dual 5'' F.D. drives unit, Multi I/O expansion board
|
||
- label: PRICE
|
||
value: $650
|
||
tabs:
|
||
- photos
|
||
- hardware
|
||
- links
|
||
- docs
|
||
forum_thread: 589
|
||
photos:
|
||
- title: CP/M SYSTEM
|
||
subtitle: ''
|
||
text: The most widely used CP/M configuration with a single or dual F.D. drives unit and a graphic monitor (here a Microvitec CUB 14" color monitor)
|
||
image: /media/museum/photos/researchmach_link480z_system_2.jpg
|
||
- title: BLACK VERSION
|
||
subtitle: ''
|
||
text: Black metallic case version. Probably the first version of the 480Z.
|
||
image: /media/museum/photos/researchmach_link480z_blackcase_1.jpg
|
||
- title: 'INSIDE #1'
|
||
subtitle: ''
|
||
text: |-
|
||
The basic version motherboard with only one option: the four Microsoft extended BASIC ROM chips.
|
||
|
||
**(1)** Network socket\
|
||
**(2)** Network card housing\
|
||
**(3)** Mostek 8227 chip in charge of various input/output tasks\
|
||
**(4)** Network address selection dip-switches\
|
||
**(5)** Serial DIN plug 1\
|
||
**(6)** Serial plug #2. Used by the floppy-disk unit\
|
||
**(7)** Parallel connector\
|
||
**(8)** Tape recorder DIN plug\
|
||
**(9)** Accessories connector\
|
||
**(10)** Monochrome composite monitor output\
|
||
**(11)** T.V. aerial modulator\
|
||
**(12)** Test label "Tested by C.H. 18/9/83" (Thanks C.H.!)\
|
||
**(13)** 2 KB text video RAM chip (6116)\
|
||
**(14)** Monitor and BASIC language ROM chips\
|
||
**(15)** 64 KB RAM chips\
|
||
**(16)** Z80 microprocessor\
|
||
**(17)** Expansion board connector\
|
||
**(18)** Network card connectors
|
||
image: /media/museum/photos/researchmach_link480z_inside_2.jpg
|
||
- title: 'INSIDE #2'
|
||
subtitle: ''
|
||
text: |-
|
||
Full version with expansion and network boards.
|
||
|
||
**(1)** Power supply unit\
|
||
**(2)** Fan\
|
||
**(3)** Additional 64 KB RAM chips\
|
||
**(4)** IEEE 488 connector (IEEE 488 hardware is not installed on this board)\
|
||
**(5)** RGB output (DIN plug)\
|
||
**(6)** The network card is located between the motherboard and the expansion board
|
||
image: /media/museum/photos/researchmach_link480z_inside_1.jpg
|
||
- title: BACK SIDE
|
||
subtitle: ''
|
||
text: |-
|
||
**(1)** Color TTL / RGB video output\
|
||
**(2)** IEEE 488 optional connector housing\
|
||
**(3)** IEEE 488 optional address switches selection\
|
||
**(4)** Mains power cord, fuse and On/Off switch\
|
||
**(5)** Network coaxial plug\
|
||
**(6)** Network address selection switches\
|
||
**(7 - 8)** Serial RS-232 DIN plugs. The floppy disk unit is connected to the left one.\
|
||
**(9)** Parallel I/O connector\
|
||
**(10)** Tape recorder DIN plug\
|
||
**(11)** Analog accessories DIN plug\
|
||
**(12)** Monochrome composite video output (monitor)\
|
||
**(13)** Reset switch\
|
||
**(14)** T.V. aerial output
|
||
image: /media/museum/photos/researchmach_link480z_back_1.jpg
|
||
hardware:
|
||
- title: DUAL 5'' F.D. UNIT
|
||
subtitle: ''
|
||
text: ''
|
||
image: /media/museum/hardware/researchmach_link480z_fdunit_2.jpg
|
||
- title: INSIDE F.D. UNIT
|
||
subtitle: ''
|
||
text: |-
|
||
**(1)** The logical card is a true computer with a Z80 microprocessor, ROM and RAM memories, Z80-CTC and Z80-PIO for the data exchanges management.\
|
||
**(2)** Floppy drives came from YE-DATA (Japan). There are double side, double density, 320 KB models.\
|
||
**(3)** Power supply unit
|
||
image: /media/museum/hardware/researchmach_link480z_fdunit_1.jpg
|
||
links:
|
||
- title: Research Machines RML380Z and 480Z Yahoo Discussion Group
|
||
url: http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/380z/
|
||
text: All is in the title...
|
||
docs:
|
||
- title: BASIC INTERPRETER REFERENCE MANUAL
|
||
url: '#'
|
||
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/nodoccover.gif
|
||
text: |-
|
||
**BASIC INTERPRETER REFERENCE MANUAL**\
|
||
written by Research Machines - Thanks to **Jonathan Hudson**
|
||
|
||
type of document : ZIP\
|
||
source : old-computers.com
|
||
oc_id: 600
|
||
source:
|
||
url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230529181401/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=600
|
||
date: '2023-05-29'
|
||
---
|
||
|
||
The Link 480Z was meant originally as a disc-less network station. It was designed to offer a lower cost computer to schools. The name "Link" meant link in a chain. It was a very reliable system, and one of the first personal computers used in the English schools.
|
||
|
||
Because of the good reputation of the Research Machines computers, the Link 480Z was one of the three computers chosen for the U.K. 1982 Educational Scheme, with the [Sinclair Spectrum](/museum/sinclair-zx-spectrum/) and the [BBC Model B.](/museum/acorn-computer-bbc-model-a-b-b/)
|
||
|
||
The basic version (cassette based with 32 KB of RAM and 8 KB ROM Monitor) could be extended to a real professional CP/M based system with network ability.
|
||
|
||
An optional expansion board added:\
|
||
\- 32 KB of RAM\
|
||
\- Colour or monochrome high resolution graphics (up to 640 x 192)\
|
||
\- Full IEEE 488 and colour RGB monitor interfaces\
|
||
\- Floppy disc interface in single, double or quad density modes
|
||
|
||
The 480Z was fully compatible with the 380Z. It was initially released in a black metal case prior to tooling being made for the subsequent beige plastic case version.
|