website/content/museum/prologica-cp-200.md

---
title: Prologica CP-200
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Home Computer
origins:
- Brazil
years:
- '1982'
cpus:
- Z80A
params:
  name: CP-200
  company: /companies/prologica
  company_name: Prologica
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: CP-200
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: Prologica
  - label: TYPE
    value: Home Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: Brazil
  - label: YEAR
    value: '1982'
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: Enhanced Sinclair BASIC
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: 43-key rubber keyboard
  - label: CPU
    value: Z80A
  - label: SPEED
    value: 3.25 MHz
  - label: RAM
    value: 16 KB
  - label: VRAM
    value: Unknown
  - label: ROM
    value: 8 KB
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 32 chars x 24 lines
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: 64 x 44 (big) dots
  - label: COLORS
    value: Monochrome
  - label: SOUND
    value: No sound
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: approx. 18 (W) x 10 (D) x 3 (H) in / 2 lbs
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: RF TV video output (channel 3 VHF), tape recorder In/Out, Bus connector, joystick
  - label: BUILT IN MEDIA
    value: None
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: Built-in power supply unit
  - label: PERIPHERALS
    value: All Sinclair extensions and peripherals
  - label: PRICE
    value: Unknown
  tabs:
  - photos
  photos:
  - title: CP-200S
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: null
  - title: CP-200
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: null
  - title: 'CP-200 #2'
    subtitle: ''
    text: Same model with a different Prologica label
    image: null
  - title: KEYBOARD
    subtitle: ''
    text: Although better than the original ZX-81's, the small and spongy keys doesn't allow fast typing.
    image: null
  - title: LEFT & RIGHT SIDES
    subtitle: ''
    text: The expansion connector (not Sinclair compatible) is located on the left side, covered by a plastic lid.
    image: null
  - title: REAR SIDE
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: null
  - title: PROLOGICA LABEL
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: null
  - title: MOTHERBOARD
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      The ULA custom chip of the ZX81 is here remplaced by about 25 standard logic chips.

      **(1)** Expansion connector, not Sinclair compatible\
      **(2)** 16 KB ROM chips, hold the BASIC interpreter\
      **(3)** 16 KB RAM chips - 8 x NS MM5290, 4116 equivalent\
      **(4)** Tape interface connector\
      **(5)** RF UHF modulator\
      **(6)** Video connector\
      **(7)** +5V, +12V, -12V power regulators\
      **(8)** Buzzer\
      **(9)** Zilog Z80A processor.
    image: null
  comments:
  - author: Daniel Vianna (Australia)
    date: Monday 16th April 2018
    text: I learned some BASIC on one of these. I was about 10 years old, and lost interest mainly because one had to load programs through a cassette tape. I would spend 20 min or more hoping the tape wasn''t damaged and the cassette player had a clean head. If everything went fine I would be able to run a program. If not, it would fail silently. Another option was of course writing programs from scratch before using, but... that was painful.
  - author: Paolo F. Pugno (Brazil)
    date: Tuesday 21st November 2006
    text: I had one and experimented a lot with it. Its side connector does not follow the Sinclair pinout, so you cannot plug standard Sinclair peripherals to it. I had to build a re-layout board just to attach a ZX Printer to it, and it workerd flawlessly. I don't know if the CP-200S also has this characteristic...
  oc_id: 910
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230608085751/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=910
    date: '2023-06-08'
---

The **CP-200** and **CP-200S** computers were Brazilian clones of the Sinclair [ZX81](/museum/sinclair-zx-81/).

However, to compete with the original model and local ZX81 clones, CP-200 models featured several enhancements.

The larger case housed the power supply unit and a slightly better rubber keyboard. Basic versions had 16 KB of RAM as well as a joystick interface cabled in parallel with some keyboard keys. The BASIC interpreter also had some improvements and additional commands.

The CP-200 also had one very unique characteristic being that the video display was inverted (white on black instead of black on white for the ZX-81). Any key pressed on the keyboard generated a "beep" sound coming from the buzzer (his only function).

The bus connector wasn't strictly Sinclair compatible (pinout was different), but an adaptor card (?) allowed all Sinclair and third companies peripherals to be used with both CP-200 models.

The **CP-200s** was the same computer but with a redesigned motherboard in a new smaller (hence the "s"?) plastic case. The goal was maybe to reduce the production costs.

---

Contributed to this article : Paolo F. Pugno, Oscar Arthur Koepke

<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>