website/content/museum/mattel-electronics-aquarius.md

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

title	categories	types	origins	years	cpus	params
Mattel Electronics Aquarius	Computers	Home Computer	U.S.A.	1983	Zilog Z80A	name image logo company company_name specs tabs forum_thread photos adverts hardware emulators links related oc_id source Aquarius /media/museum/photos/mattel_aquarius_1_hr_s.jpg /media/museum/logos/aquarius_logo_2.gif /companies/mattel-electronics Mattel Electronics label value NAME Aquarius label value MANUFACTURER Mattel Electronics label value TYPE Home Computer label value ORIGIN U.S.A. label value YEAR 1983 label value BUILT IN LANGUAGE Specific Microsoft Basic interpreter label value KEYBOARD Rubber type. 49 keys label value CPU Zilog Z80A label value SPEED 3.5 mHz label value RAM 4 KB (up to 32 KB), 1,7 KB free for user label value ROM 8 KB label value TEXT MODES 40 chars x 25 lines label value GRAPHIC MODES 80 x 72 / 320 x 192 dots label value COLORS 16 label value SOUND 1 voice (3 voices with the Mini-Expander) label value SIZE / WEIGHT 34,5 (W) x 15 (D) x 5,5 (H) cm. label value I/O PORTS Tape, Printer, Bus label value POWER SUPPLY External power supply (12v) label value PERIPHERALS Thermic printer and plotter (1200 bauds), Tape-recorder (600 bauds), Mini-expander addon, RAM expansions (4 KB, 16 KB and 32 KB), Master expansion module & disk-drives (vaporware), Home Computer System label value PRICE £49.95 (Radofin version 1984) photos adverts hardware emulators links 88 title subtitle text image AQUARIUS /media/museum/photos/mattel_aquarius_1_hr.jpg title subtitle text image COMPLETE SET-UP This is quite a complete Aquarius set-up. Pictured here are : the Aquarius computer, the 16k memory expansion pack, the expander unit, the thermal printer, the data recorder and many software and documentation. /media/museum/photos/mattel_aquarius_complete_1.jpg title subtitle text image DIVE INTO THE AQUARIUS **(1)** Dedicated connector for Mattel printers.\ **(2)** Dedicated connector for optional Mattel devices.\ **(3)** Z 80 microprocessor running at 3,5 Mhz.\ **(4)** Cassette recorder DIN connector.\ **(5)** This circuit forces game cartridge manufacturers to obtain Mattel agreement.\ **(6)** Video management chipset.\ **(7)** Modulator for T.V. aerial signals.\ **(8)** This ROM chip holds the specific Microsoft Basic interpreter.\ **(9)** These two chips hold the 4 Kb. RAM (1.7 Kb. available for user).\ **(10)** Power plug. Power is supplied by an external transformer.\ **(11)** T.V. video output connector.\ **(12)** Rubber keyboard. The keys layout is not conventional, particularly the space bar position. /media/museum/photos/mattel_aquarius1_inside_1.jpg title subtitle text image BOX /media/museum/photos/mattel_aquarius_box_2.jpg title subtitle text image BOX - BACK /media/museum/photos/mattel_aquarius_box-rear_1.jpg title subtitle text image BOX - BACK #2 /media/museum/photos/mattel_aquarius_box_back_2.jpg title subtitle text image BOX #2 This package included an Aquarius computer, the Mini-Expander extension, and game cartridges. /media/museum/photos/mattel_aquarius_box_3.jpg title subtitle text image BOX #2 - FRONT /media/museum/photos/mattel_aquarius_box2_front_1.jpg title subtitle text image BOX #2 - BACK /media/museum/photos/mattel_aquarius_big-box.jpg title subtitle text image BOX #2 - BACK /media/museum/photos/mattel_aquarius_box2_back_1.jpg title subtitle text image BOX DETAIL /media/museum/photos/mattel_aquarius_box_detail.jpg title subtitle text image UK ADVERT, OCT. 1983 From Personal Computer World magazine.\ Advert says:\ This is an entirely new computer system. It was designed with both eyes fixed firmly on the future. So that whatever shape the future takes, we'll be able to fit it into the system. Just as simply as the peripherals and software already available fit into the system. That way, the system will grow with you. And you'll never get left behind. Based around the Z80A microprocessor, and utilising Microsoft BASIC, Aquarius has 8K ROM and 4K RAM resident within its console. It is able to provide up to 16 colours and resolution of 320 x 192, and generates its sound directly through the television's speakers. With twin cartridge ports, the mini-expander allows simultaneous use of additional RAM and software cartrldges. Twin disc game hand controls are included and the unit provides two additional sound channels. The 16K RAM cartridge plugs into either the console or the mini-expander, increasing Aquarius's RAM capacity to 20K. With the ability to reproduce the entire graphic and character set of Aquarius at 80 characters a second, the printer's 40 column output allows transcription of the complete monitor image. Using standard audio cassettes, the data recorder provides storage for programs and information, and allows the use of cassette based software. Incorporating a digital tape counter and transmission indicator, it operates sequential searching. A large number of games, designed to take advantage of Aquarius's sophisticated colour and sound capabilities, are available on cartridges that plug into the console either direct, or through the mini-expander. Cassette based games can be used via the data recorder. A wide range of preprogrammed cartridges is available, including the LOGO teaching program and practical home data systems like FILEFORM and the spreadsheet calculator package FINFORM. /media/museum/pubs/mattel_aquarius_pub_s1.jpg title subtitle text image UK ADVERT (1984) Thanks to Tony Mattson for this picture /media/museum/pubs/mattel_aquarius_pub_2.gif title subtitle text image PROMOTIONAL PICTURE found on the system box /media/museum/pubs/mattel_aquarius_prm-pic_1.jpg title subtitle text image FROM MATTEL ELECTRONICS /media/museum/hardware/mattel_aquarius_datarecorder_1.jpg title subtitle text image RECORDER AND BOX /media/museum/hardware/mattel_aquarius_data-recorder.jpg title subtitle text image BOX /media/museum/hardware/mattel_aquarius_datarecorder_box_1.jpg title subtitle text image FROM MATTEL ELECTRONICS This device supplies 2 cartridges ports (which makes it possible to plug a RAM expansion cartridge and a program cartridge at the same time), two paddles and an enhanced sound chip (two supplementary voices). Promotional text on the box says:\ - Accepts memory cartridge to expand memory to 20 KB!\ - 2 separate ports: allows you to use a memory cartridge at the same time with a game or program cartridge!\ - Includes 2 hand controllers: 16 position disc and 6 action buttons!\ - adds two more sound channels for more exciting game play! /media/museum/hardware/mattel_aquarius_mini-expander.jpg title subtitle text image BOX /media/museum/hardware/mattel_aquarius_mini-expander_box_1.jpg title subtitle text image IN BOX /media/museum/hardware/mattel_aquarius_mini-expander_inbox.jpg title subtitle text image BOX Side /media/museum/hardware/mattel_aquarius_mini-expander_box-side.jpg title subtitle text image BOX - SIDE /media/museum/hardware/mattel_aquarius_mini-expander_box3.jpg title subtitle text image BOX rear /media/museum/hardware/mattel_aquarius_mini-expander_box-rear.jpg title subtitle text image MATTEL ELECTRONICS This 300 baud modem had to be connected to the cartridge connector. /media/museum/hardware/mattel_aquarius_modem_1.jpg title subtitle text image BOX "opens a whole new world of information and communications! Smart enough to be simple!" /media/museum/hardware/mattel_aquarius_modem_box_1.jpg title subtitle text image 4K & 16K RAM EXPANSIONS /media/museum/hardware/mattel_aquarius_ram_expansions.jpg title subtitle text image 4K RAM CARTRIDGE box /media/museum/hardware/mattel_aquarius_4k-ram_box_2.jpg title subtitle text image 16 KB RAM EXPANSION CARTRIDGE /media/museum/hardware/mattel_aquarius_16k-ram-expansion_2.jpg title subtitle text image 4K RAM box - side /media/museum/hardware/mattel_aquarius_4k-ram_box_side.jpg title subtitle text image 4K RAM box (rear) /media/museum/hardware/mattel_aquarius_4k-ram_box_rear.jpg title subtitle text image VALUE PACK The Aquarius Value Pack contained a 4 KB RAM expansion cartridge, Utopia and Snafu software.. /media/museum/hardware/mattel_aquarius_value-pack_box_1.jpg title subtitle text image 16 KB RAM EXPANSION CARTRIDGE Box /media/museum/hardware/mattel_aquarius_16k-ram-expansion_box.jpg title subtitle text image FROM MATTEL ELECTRONICS This is a small thermic printer which can print 80 characters per second onto 40 columns paper. Only Mattel printers can be connected to the Aquarius. /media/museum/hardware/mattel_aquarius_printer_1.jpg title subtitle text image TOP VIEW /media/museum/hardware/matell_aquarius_printer_top_1.jpg title url platform text AqEmu http://www.classicgaming.com/aqemu/aqemu.htm Windows Aquarius emulator for Windows title url platform text Virtual Aquarius http://www.geocities.com/emucompboy/ Windows Nice emulator by James the Animal Tamer title url text Blue Sky Rangers' site http://www.intellivisionlives.com/ Ancient INTV programmers unveil all the secrets of the Mattel Electronics products ! title url text Mattel Aquarius homecomputer http://www.vdsteenoven.com/aquarius/ History, Tech info, Sotware review & screenshots, Links, etc. title url text Mattel Aquarius Yahoo Group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mattelaquarius/ A place to discover, chat about, and just get general information on the Mattel Aquarius home computer. /museum/radofin-electronics-limited-aquarius-2 73 url date https://web.archive.org/web/20230530153316/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=73 2023-05-30

When the Keyboard Component project was canceled, Mattel searched in a hurry to produce a small and cheap computer. They contacted Radofin Electronics Far East, based in Hong-Kong, who was manufacturing most of the Intellivision products. Radofin had just developped a line of three Z80 based computers. Mattel decided to sell the two first under their brand. The Aquarius 1 and 2 were born.

The Mattel Aquarius used a special version of the Microsoft Basic. When used with Basic, only 1.7 KB remained available.

There were no redefinable characters, but 256 predefined chars were available: 128 ASCII (numerals, upper and lower case alphabet, punctuation, symbols) and 128 graphic patterns. That was the only "graphical" features of the Aquarius !

Unfortunately the specifications were so poor for a 1983 computer, that the Aquarius 1 litteraly bombed. Three months after its release, Mattel decided to cancel the project and to sell back the rights and stocks to Radofin.

Radofin continued to sell Aquarius 1 & 2 under its own name, but without success...

Cool addons were developped for the Aquarius, but never made it to the shelves (apparently). There were a Master Expansion Module equipped with disk-drives and expansion slots for future add-ons. It even offered the CP/M compatibility!

Another sympathetic extension was the Home Computer System Command Console which allowed the Aquarius to directly control up to 255 electric devices. But when the computer was connected to this extension, it couldn't be used for anything else!

There were also a Modem planned and Mattel even announced network services for games and programs downloads...