website/content/museum/research-machines-link-480z.md

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

title	categories	types	origins	years	cpus	params
Research Machines LINK 480Z	Computers	Professional Computer	United Kingdom	1981	Z-80A	name image company company_name specs tabs forum_thread photos hardware links docs oc_id source LINK 480Z /media/museum/photos/researchmach_link480z_system_1.jpg /companies/research-machines Research Machines label value NAME LINK 480Z label value MANUFACTURER Research Machines label value TYPE Professional Computer label value ORIGIN United Kingdom label value YEAR 1981 label value BUILT IN LANGUAGE Microsoft BASIC interpreter label value KEYBOARD Full-stroke with 4 cursor controls and 4 user definable keys label value CPU Z-80A label value SPEED 4 Mhz. label value RAM 32 KB up to 256 KB label value VRAM 16 KB (expansion board) label value ROM 8 KB up to 32 KB label value TEXT MODES 40 or 80 chars. x 25 lines label value GRAPHIC MODES 640 x 192 monochrome, 320 x 192 (4 colours), 160 x 95 (8 colours) label value COLORS Up to 8 label value SOUND built-in tone generator and speaker label value SIZE / WEIGHT 53(W) x 33.5(D) x 8(H) cm / 3.2 Kg. label value I/O PORTS Composite, RGB and aerial video outputs, IEEE-488, Network, Serial x 2, Parallel, Tape recorder, Analog label value BUILT IN MEDIA Tape recorder or optional 5'' F.D. drive label value OS Microsoft Basic or CP/M label value POWER SUPPLY Built-in power supply unit label value PERIPHERALS Single or dual 5'' F.D. drives unit, Multi I/O expansion board label value PRICE $650 photos hardware links docs 589 title subtitle text image CP/M SYSTEM 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) /media/museum/photos/researchmach_link480z_system_2.jpg title subtitle text image BLACK VERSION Black metallic case version. Probably the first version of the 480Z. /media/museum/photos/researchmach_link480z_blackcase_1.jpg title subtitle text image INSIDE #1 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 /media/museum/photos/researchmach_link480z_inside_2.jpg title subtitle text image INSIDE #2 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 /media/museum/photos/researchmach_link480z_inside_1.jpg title subtitle text image BACK SIDE **(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 /media/museum/photos/researchmach_link480z_back_1.jpg title subtitle text image DUAL 5'' F.D. UNIT /media/museum/hardware/researchmach_link480z_fdunit_2.jpg title subtitle text image INSIDE F.D. UNIT **(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 /media/museum/hardware/researchmach_link480z_fdunit_1.jpg title url text Research Machines RML380Z and 480Z Yahoo Discussion Group http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/380z/ All is in the title... title url cover text BASIC INTERPRETER REFERENCE MANUAL # /media/museum/docs/couvs/nodoccover.gif **BASIC INTERPRETER REFERENCE MANUAL**\ written by Research Machines - Thanks to **Jonathan Hudson**  type of document : ZIP\  source : old-computers.com 600 url date https://web.archive.org/web/20230529181401/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=600 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 and the BBC Model 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.