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

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

title	categories	types	origins	years	cpus	params
ZBA Consul 2717	Computers	Professional Computer	Czech Republic	1989	MHB 8080A	name image company company_name specs tabs forum_thread photos links oc_id source Consul 2717 /media/museum/photos/sbrojovska_consul_system_s1.jpg /companies/zba ZBA label value NAME Consul 2717 label value MANUFACTURER ZBA label value TYPE Professional Computer label value ORIGIN Czech Republic label value YEAR 1989 label value END OF PRODUCTION 1990 label value BUILT IN LANGUAGE BASIC-G interpreter label value KEYBOARD Typewriter type. 79 keys with editing keys and 11 function keys label value CPU MHB 8080A label value SPEED 2 MHz label value RAM 64 KB label value ROM 16 KB label value TEXT MODES 25 lines x 48 characters label value GRAPHIC MODES 288 x 256 dots label value COLORS Monochrome label value SOUND Built-in loudspeaker label value SIZE / WEIGHT 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 value I/O PORTS Keyboard, Tape recorder, 2 x expansion connectors label value OS CP/M with external FDD unit label value POWER SUPPLY Built-in power supply unit - 220V - 42 to 68 Hz label value PERIPHERALS External FDD unit label value PRICE Unknown photos links 1100 title subtitle text image LARGE VIEW /media/museum/photos/sbrojovska_consul_system_s2.jpg title subtitle text image TOP VIEW /media/museum/photos/sbrojovska_consul_topview_s1.jpg title subtitle text image PROFILE /media/museum/photos/sbrojovska_consul_sideview_s1.jpg title subtitle text image RUNNING Only 128 standard ASCII characters were available. /media/museum/photos/sbrojovska_consul_running_s1.jpg title subtitle text image REAR SIDE Note the two expansion connectors next to the keyboard plug. /media/museum/photos/sbrojovska_consul_backside_s1.jpg title subtitle text image CONSUL & ZDA LOGOS /media/museum/photos/sbrojovska_consul_logos_s1.jpg title subtitle text image INSIDE 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. /media/museum/photos/sbrojovska_consul_inside_s1.jpg title subtitle text image MOTHERBOARD **(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. /media/museum/photos/sbrojovska_consul_mainboard_s1.jpg title subtitle text image MOTHERBOARD CLOSE-UP /media/museum/photos/sbrojovska_consul_mainboard_s2.jpg title url text broucek.me.cz http://www.broucek.me.cz/muzeum/clanky.htm Lots of user and technical manuals in .pdf format 1130 url date https://web.archive.org/web/20230329064014/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1130 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 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.

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.