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
74 lines
3.2 KiB
Markdown
74 lines
3.2 KiB
Markdown
---
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title: MICROCOMPUTER ASSOCIATES INC. Jolt
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categories:
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- Computers
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types:
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- Home Computer
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origins:
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- U.S.A.
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years:
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- '1975'
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cpus:
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- Mos Technology 6502
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params:
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name: Jolt
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image: /media/museum/photos/microcomputers-associates_jolt_1.jpg
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company: /companies/microcomputer-associates-inc
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company_name: MICROCOMPUTER ASSOCIATES INC.
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specs:
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- label: NAME
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value: Jolt
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- label: MANUFACTURER
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value: Microcomputer Associates Inc.
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- label: TYPE
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value: Home Computer
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- label: ORIGIN
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value: U.S.A.
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- label: YEAR
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value: November 1975
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- label: END OF PRODUCTION
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value: '1978'
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- label: KEYBOARD
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value: none (V.24, teletype connection)
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- label: CPU
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value: Mos Technology 6502
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- label: SPEED
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value: 1 MHz
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- label: RAM
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value: 512 bytes (expandable up to 4 KB)
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- label: VRAM
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value: None
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- label: ROM
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value: 1 KB
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- label: SOUND
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value: None
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- label: I/O PORTS
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value: Terminal Interface (TTY or EIA)
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- label: OS
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value: DEMON(TM) machine language monitor/debugger
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- label: POWER SUPPLY
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value: Power supply. +5, +12 or -10(?) volts (sold seperately)
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- label: PRICE
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value: $249 (1975, U.S.A.)
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forum_thread: 856
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oc_id: 875
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source:
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url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230607064545/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=875
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date: '2023-06-07'
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---
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On December 1975, the coveted inside-front-cover of Byte magazine contained a two-page advertisement for "the world's lowest cost computer system". This was perhaps the first non-MOS Technology 6502 based computer system to come to market, behind only the [TIM](/museum/mos-technology-tim/) and possibly [KIM-1](/museum/mos-technology-kim-1/). The computer was named Jolt, and it was marketed by Microcomputer Associates Inc. as both a kit for $249, or fully assembled and tested for $348 (Dec. 1975 Byte).
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Microcomputer Associates also sold add-ons for the basic system. They included 4 kilobytes for $265, an I/O card for $96, and a power supply for $145.
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The Jolt is somewhat famous for the part it played in the development of the prototype Atari 2600 VCS, which was assembled using the Jolt computer board.
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Jolt was designed and developed by **Raymond M. Holt**, Founder and Executive Vice-President of Microcomputer Associates. Holt went on to design the [SYM-1](/museum/synertek-sym1/) single-board computer, a KIM-1 clone. In the late 1990's Holt was finally given government permission to discuss his role in the development of the F-14 Tomcat. Holt claims he designed and developed the worlds first microprocessor one year before Intel.
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**Manny Lemas** was the co-founder of Microcomputer Associates, Inc. Ray Holt was the hardware side and he was the software side of the business. He wrote the **DEMON** (Debugger/Monitor) software for the JOLT.\
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This software was actually developed for MOS Technology for use in the TIM chip and the KIM-1 single board computer. M.A. was granted rights to its own version of the software for use in the JOLT.
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Part of text and picture provided by [Brian Bagnall](http://www.mts.net/~bbagnall).
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<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>
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