In fact, the company that created it, Newburry Labs, sold the desing to its current owner, Grundy Business Systems Ltd.
It also seems that a small part of the original design came from Sinclair Radionics which designed later the ZX-80.
At one time, the NewBrain was in line to be the BBC computer, but design problems and the change in ownership caused the BBC to look elsewhere.
In 1982, the machine was advertised as a compact but powerful microcomputer with advanced hardware and software features.
The NewBrain AD, which contains a 1-line, 16-character fluorescent display, was complemented by a no-display cheaper version sold ?0 less, the NewBrain A. There was no reset button and no ON/OFF switch either. A third model, called Newbrain M included a battery-backup option (and the LCD screen) so it can be used as a handheld computer.
An expansion interface was available, providing 2 serial ports, 2 parallels, 1 DAC, 1 joystick port, and a light pen port.
A network was also available and allowed to connect 24 computers together through RS-232/V24 bidirectional serial ports.
The New Brain used a special management memory system which allows to expand memory up to 2 Mb (IMPRESSIVE!).
The character set contained 512 letters, numbers and graphics as well as VideoText symbols. The Character set was divided into two 256-character banks, only one of which could be selected at a time.
An optional VideoText module enabled NewBrains owners to access British TeleText and Prestel services It could run under CP/M.
主要参数编辑本段回目录
NAME | NEW BRAIN |
MANUFACTURER | Grundy |
TYPE | Home Computer |
ORIGIN | United Kingdom |
YEAR | 1980 |
BUILT IN LANGUAGE | Basic interpreter |
KEYBOARD | QWERTY, calculator style, 62 keys |
CPU | Zilog Z80 A |
SPEED | 4 MHz |
CO-PROCESSOR | COP 240 (I/O) |
RAM | 32 KB |
ROM | 29 KB (8 KB for Basic, 4 KB for graphics, 4 KB for OS/characters set/editor) |
TEXT MODES | 80 columns x 25-30 lines / 40 columns x 25-30 lines |
GRAPHIC MODES | From 256 x 10 to 640 x 220 pixels |
COLORS | Monochrome |
SOUND | unknown |
I/O PORTS | Tape (two - 1200 bauds); RGB, UHF, RS232c (two - 9600 bauds, one was used as a printer one was cut down in lacking an 'in' line.), Z80 Bus |
POWER SUPPLY | External power supply unit |
PERIPHERALS | Expansion interface featuring 2 serial ports, 2 parallels, 1 DAC, 1 joystick port, and a light pen port. |
PRICE | $325 - ?29 |