website/content/museum/sharp-x1-turbo-z-iii.md

---
title: Sharp X1 Turbo Z III
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Professional Computer
origins:
- Japan
years:
- '1988'
cpus:
- Sharp Z80 A
params:
  name: X1 Turbo Z III
  image: /media/museum/photos/sharp_x1_turbo_z3_1.jpg
  company: /companies/sharp
  company_name: Sharp
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: X1 Turbo Z III
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: Sharp
  - label: TYPE
    value: Professional Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: Japan
  - label: YEAR
    value: '1988'
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: Full-stroke keyboard, JIS standard
  - label: CPU
    value: Sharp Z80 A
  - label: SPEED
    value: 4 MHz
  - label: RAM
    value: 128 KB
  - label: VRAM
    value: 96 KB
  - label: ROM
    value: 128 KB + 40 KB
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 20 / 40 / 80 x 10 / 12 / 20 / 25
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: 320 x 200 / 320 x 192 / 320 x 400 / 640 x 192 / 640 x 200 / 640 x 400
  - label: COLORS
    value: '4096'
  - label: SOUND
    value: 3 voices PSG + 8 voices FM
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: Unknown
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: Two I/O ports, analog video out, disk drive expansion, video in/out, RS232c port, printer port, keyboard, 2 x joysticks (Atari standard), audio out
  - label: BUILT IN MEDIA
    value: 2 x 5.25'' disk-drive (2D,2DD and 2HD)
  - label: OS
    value: S-OS
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: Built-in PSU
  - label: PRICE
    value: 169 800 yen (Japan, 1988)
  tabs:
  - hardware
  - links
  - videos
  hardware:
  - title: TOP VIEW
    subtitle: ''
    text: This original extension was at least usable with the X1 Turbo serie...
    image: /media/museum/hardware/sharp_x1_turbo_businesscardreader.jpg
  - title: I/O EXPANSION BOX
    subtitle: ''
    text: This box was used to multiply the input/output connectors and thus, possibilities of the X1 systems.
    image: /media/museum/hardware/sharp_x1_cz81ebs_1.jpg
  - title: FRONT
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/hardware/sharp_x1_io-box_2.jpg
  - title: BACK
    subtitle: ''
    text: This extension box offers 4 I/O ports.
    image: /media/museum/hardware/sharp_x1_io-box_3.jpg
  - title: FRONT
    subtitle: ''
    text: This extension was used to generate titles for video-tapes, among other things...
    image: /media/museum/hardware/sharp_x1_telopper-front.jpg
  - title: BACK
    subtitle: ''
    text: A lot of connectors can be found at the back of the unit...
    image: /media/museum/hardware/sharp_x1_telopper-back.jpg
  - title: FRONT
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/hardware/sharp_x1_tape-recorder-cz8rl1.jpg
  links:
  - title: Class X1
    url: http://www2s.biglobe.ne.jp/~ITTO/x1/x1menu.html
    text: In Japanese
  - title: Japanese Computer Emulation Center
    url: http://www.jcec.co.uk/x1games.htm
    text: Lot of games for X1
  videos:
  - title: Sharp X1 japanese commercial
    url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QxhgniF8Pg
    text: 'Length: 15 s'
  related:
  - /museum/sharp-x1-c-cz-801c
  - /museum/sharp-x1-ck-cz-804c
  - /museum/sharp-x1-cs-cz-803c
  - /museum/sharp-x1-cz-800c
  - /museum/sharp-x1-d-cz-802c
  - /museum/sharp-x1-turbo
  - /museum/sharp-x1-turbo-iii
  - /museum/sharp-x1-turbo-z-cz-880c
  oc_id: 319
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230603104342/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=319
    date: '2023-06-03'
---

The X1 Turbo Z III is the successor of the [X1 Turbo Z](/museum/sharp-x1-turbo-z-cz-880c/) and ZII. The 8bit CPU (Z80) has reached its limits here.

Like the X1 Turbo Z II, the Z III is VCCI compliant (electromagnetic emissions control) and has 128 KB RAM as standard, but does not have any remote connector for data recorder. Otherwise it is identical to the Z II.

The most famous and strong point of X1 series is the Programmable Charactor Generator(PCG).

The languages available were Hu-basic (developed by HUDSON soft), Turbo Basic and new Z-basic. The new Z basic language introduced enhanced functions (graphics and sound), but needed 128 KB RAM to operate. It was bundled with the Turbo ZII and ZIII, but Turbo Z owners had to buy it separately. An expansion memory board fitted with 64 KB RAM was then sold with the box, so Turbo Z systems could have 128 KB RAM. In fact you could add up to 256 KB RAM on this board, so Turbo Z owners could finally upgrade more easily their systems than ZII and ZIII ones.

The X68000 serie was launched one year earlier and finally, will replace the X1 serie.

<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>