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| storage = 3.5" [[floppy disk]] drive
| storage = 3.5" [[floppy disk]] drive
| memory = 512KB
| memory = 512KB
| display = TV modulator; PAL TV; 320 × 200 × 4/640 × 200 × 2
| display = TV modulator; PAL TV; up to 640 × 200
| graphics = [[Color Graphics Adapter|CGA]]/[[Monochrome Display Adapter|MDA]]
| graphics = [[Color Graphics Adapter|CGA]]/[[Monochrome Display Adapter|MDA]]
| sound = [[PC Speaker]]
| sound = [[PC Speaker]]
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}}The '''Amstrad PC20''' / '''Sinclair PC200''' was a home computer created by [[Amstrad]] in late 1988, based on the [[Amstrad PPC 512]] hardware. The machine was available in two versions, '''Sinclair PC200''' and '''Amstrad PC20'''. The '''PC200'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sinclair PC 200 |url=https://www.homecomputermuseum.nl/collectie/sinclair/sinclair-pc200/ |access-date=2022-11-23 |website=HomeComputerMuseum |language=nl-NL}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=South |first=Phil |date=November 1988 |title=Rage Hard Special PC200 |pages=26 |work=Your Sinclair |issue=35 |url=https://archive.org/details/Your_Sinclair_035/page/n25/mode/2up?view=theater}}</ref> had a black case and '[[Sinclair Research#Amstrad acquisition of assets|Sinclair]]' branding, while the '''PC20'''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Graham |first=Adrian |title=Amstrad PC20 |url=https://www.binarydinosaurs.co.uk/Museum/Amstrad/pc20.php |access-date=2023-03-12 |website=Binary Dinosaurs}}</ref> was white and branded 'Amstrad'.<ref name=":32">{{Cite web |title=Sinclair PC 200 |url=https://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=85 |access-date=2022-11-23 |website=www.old-computers.com}}</ref>
}}The '''Amstrad PC20''' / '''Sinclair PC200''' was a home computer created by [[Amstrad]] in late 1988, based on the [[Amstrad PPC 512]] hardware. The machine was available in two versions, '''Sinclair PC200''' and '''Amstrad PC20'''. The '''PC200'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sinclair PC 200 |url=https://www.homecomputermuseum.nl/collectie/sinclair/sinclair-pc200/ |access-date=2022-11-23 |website=HomeComputerMuseum |language=nl-NL}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=South |first=Phil |date=November 1988 |title=Rage Hard Special PC200 |pages=26 |work=Your Sinclair |issue=35 |url=https://archive.org/details/Your_Sinclair_035/page/n25/mode/2up?view=theater}}</ref> had a black case and '[[Sinclair Research#Amstrad acquisition of assets|Sinclair]]' branding, while the '''PC20'''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Graham |first=Adrian |title=Amstrad PC20 |url=https://www.binarydinosaurs.co.uk/Museum/Amstrad/pc20.php |access-date=2023-03-12 |website=Binary Dinosaurs}}</ref> was white and branded 'Amstrad'.<ref name=":32">{{Cite web |title=Sinclair PC 200 |url=https://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=85 |access-date=2022-11-23 |website=www.old-computers.com}}</ref>


In addition to [[MS-DOS|''MS-DOS 3.3'']] and ''PPC Organiser'' (a [[Terminate-and-stay-resident program|memory-resident]] suite of utilities), the '''PC20'''/'''PC200''' was supplied with [[GEM (desktop environment)|''GEM'']] and four [[Color Graphics Adapter|CGA]]-compatible games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sinclair PC200 |url=https://t-lcarchive.org/sinclair-pc200/ |access-date=2022-11-23 |website=Time-Line Computer Archive |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Graham |first=Adrian |title=Sinclair PC200 |url=https://www.binarydinosaurs.co.uk/Museum/Sinclair/pc200/index.php |access-date=2022-11-23 |website=Binary Dinosaurs}}</ref>
In addition to [[MS-DOS|''MS-DOS 3.3'']] and ''PPC Organiser'' (a [[Terminate-and-stay-resident program|memory-resident]] suite of utilities), the '''PC20'''/'''PC200''' was supplied with [[GEM (desktop environment)|''GEM'']] and four [[Color Graphics Adapter|CGA]]-compatible games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sinclair PC200 |url=https://t-lcarchive.org/sinclair-pc200/ |access-date=2022-11-23 |website=Time-Line Computer Archive |date=28 July 2020 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Graham |first=Adrian |title=Sinclair PC200 |url=https://www.binarydinosaurs.co.uk/Museum/Sinclair/pc200/index.php |access-date=2022-11-23 |website=Binary Dinosaurs}}</ref>


The limited MDA and CGA graphical capabilities<ref name=":32" /> and [[PC speaker]]<ref name=":32" /> sound output were greatly inferior compared to other home computers of the time.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Page |first=Barnaby |date=November 1988 |title=Enthusiasm shortage hits the 16-bit Sinclair |pages=7 |work=The Games Machine |issue=12 |url=https://archive.org/details/the-games-machine-12/page/n6/mode/1up?view=theater}}</ref> Consequently, the '''PC20'''/'''PC200''' was not a commercial success.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Computer Express cover featuring the Sinclair PC200 |url=https://www.binarydinosaurs.co.uk/scripts/picshow.php?image=/Museum/Adverts/computerexpresscover.jpg&back=/Museum/Adverts/index.php |access-date=2023-03-12 |website=Binary Dinosaurs}}</ref>
The limited MDA and CGA graphical capabilities<ref name=":32" /> and [[PC speaker]]<ref name=":32" /> sound output were greatly inferior compared to other home computers of the time.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Page |first=Barnaby |date=November 1988 |title=Enthusiasm shortage hits the 16-bit Sinclair |pages=7 |work=The Games Machine |issue=12 |url=https://archive.org/details/the-games-machine-12/page/n6/mode/1up?view=theater}}</ref> Consequently, the '''PC20'''/'''PC200''' was not a commercial success.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Computer Express cover featuring the Sinclair PC200 |url=https://www.binarydinosaurs.co.uk/scripts/picshow.php?image=/Museum/Adverts/computerexpresscover.jpg&back=/Museum/Adverts/index.php |access-date=2023-03-12 |website=Binary Dinosaurs}}</ref>


== Design ==
== Design ==
The PPC 512's small [[Liquid-crystal display|LCD]] display was replaced by an [[RF modulator]], so that the machine could display CGA video on a domestic television, and the keyboard and system unit were combined in an integrated case, similar to the original [[Atari ST]] or [[Amiga 500]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sinclair PC200 – Time-Line Computer Archive |url=https://t-lcarchive.org/sinclair-pc200/ |access-date=2022-11-23 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Withers |first=Steve |title=Amstrad PC20 |pages=319 |work=APC |issue=100 |url=http://messui.polygonal-moogle.com/comp/amstrad_pc20.pdf}}</ref> The PPC 512 second [[Floppy disk|floppy drive]] bay was replaced by two [[Industry Standard Architecture|ISA slots]], though the design of the case was such that any cards fitted would protrude from the top of the computer.
The PPC 512's small [[Liquid-crystal display|LCD]] display was replaced by an [[RF modulator]], so that the machine could display CGA video on a domestic television, and the keyboard and system unit were combined in an integrated case, similar to the original [[Atari ST]] or [[Amiga 500]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sinclair PC200 – Time-Line Computer Archive |date=28 July 2020 |url=https://t-lcarchive.org/sinclair-pc200/ |access-date=2022-11-23 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Withers |first=Steve |title=Amstrad PC20 |pages=319 |work=APC |issue=100 |url=http://messui.polygonal-moogle.com/comp/amstrad_pc20.pdf}}</ref> The PPC 512 second [[Floppy disk|floppy drive]] bay was replaced by two [[Industry Standard Architecture|ISA slots]], though the design of the case was such that any cards fitted would protrude from the top of the computer.


Some '''PC20'''s omitted the RF modulator and its support circuitry.<ref name=":32" />
Some PC20s omitted the RF modulator and its support circuitry.<ref name=":32" />


Although the '''PC20'''/'''PC200''' does not support standard floppy disk drives through the built-in [[Floppy disk|FDD]] connector, it uses a compatible floppy disk controller (''[[Zilog]] Z765a''). Standard drives can be made to work with 720K disks after a cable modification.
Although the PC20/PC200 does not support standard floppy disk drives through the built-in [[Floppy disk|FDD]] connector, it uses a compatible floppy disk controller (''[[Zilog]] Z765a''). Standard drives can be made to work with 720K disks after a cable modification.


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


{{Amstrad}}


[[Category:Sinclair computers and derivatives]]
[[Category:Sinclair computers and derivatives|PC200]]
[[Category:IBM PC compatibles]]
[[Category:IBM PC compatibles]]
[[Category:Amstrad]]
[[Category:Amstrad computers]]
[[Category:Computer-related introductions in 1988]]

Latest revision as of 08:19, 16 December 2024

Sinclair PC 200
ManufacturerAmstrad
TypeHome computer
Release date1988; 36 years ago (1988)
Introductory price£300
Discontinued1988; 36 years ago (1988)
Operating systemMS-DOS 3.3, GEM, PPC Organiser
CPUIntel 8086 @ 8 MHz
Memory512KB
Storage3.5" floppy disk drive
DisplayTV modulator; PAL TV; up to 640 × 200
GraphicsCGA/MDA
SoundPC Speaker
Input102-key keyboard with numpad and function keys
ConnectivityRS-232, Centronics, RGB monitor, mouse port, joystick port
Backward
compatibility		IBM PC compatible
PredecessorAmstrad PPC 512

The Amstrad PC20 / Sinclair PC200 was a home computer created by Amstrad in late 1988, based on the Amstrad PPC 512 hardware. The machine was available in two versions, Sinclair PC200 and Amstrad PC20. The PC200[1][2] had a black case and 'Sinclair' branding, while the PC20[3] was white and branded 'Amstrad'.[4]

In addition to MS-DOS 3.3 and PPC Organiser (a memory-resident suite of utilities), the PC20/PC200 was supplied with GEM and four CGA-compatible games.[5][6]

The limited MDA and CGA graphical capabilities[4] and PC speaker[4] sound output were greatly inferior compared to other home computers of the time.[7] Consequently, the PC20/PC200 was not a commercial success.[8]

Design

[edit]

The PPC 512's small LCD display was replaced by an RF modulator, so that the machine could display CGA video on a domestic television, and the keyboard and system unit were combined in an integrated case, similar to the original Atari ST or Amiga 500.[9][10] The PPC 512 second floppy drive bay was replaced by two ISA slots, though the design of the case was such that any cards fitted would protrude from the top of the computer.

Some PC20s omitted the RF modulator and its support circuitry.[4]

Although the PC20/PC200 does not support standard floppy disk drives through the built-in FDD connector, it uses a compatible floppy disk controller (Zilog Z765a). Standard drives can be made to work with 720K disks after a cable modification.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Sinclair PC 200". HomeComputerMuseum (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-11-23.
  2. ^ South, Phil (November 1988). "Rage Hard Special PC200". Your Sinclair. No. 35. p. 26.
  3. ^ Graham, Adrian. "Amstrad PC20". Binary Dinosaurs. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
  4. ^ a b c d "Sinclair PC 200". www.old-computers.com. Retrieved 2022-11-23.
  5. ^ "Sinclair PC200". Time-Line Computer Archive. 28 July 2020. Retrieved 2022-11-23.
  6. ^ Graham, Adrian. "Sinclair PC200". Binary Dinosaurs. Retrieved 2022-11-23.
  7. ^ Page, Barnaby (November 1988). "Enthusiasm shortage hits the 16-bit Sinclair". The Games Machine. No. 12. p. 7.
  8. ^ "Computer Express cover featuring the Sinclair PC200". Binary Dinosaurs. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
  9. ^ "Sinclair PC200 – Time-Line Computer Archive". 28 July 2020. Retrieved 2022-11-23.
  10. ^ Withers, Steve. "Amstrad PC20" (PDF). APC. No. 100. p. 319.
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