The system itself is very similar to a Sinclair ZX-80 with its flat membrane keyboard. But when you look closer, you notice that the keybord is not quite usual like a QWERTY one for example. It's an hexadecimal one with numbers from 0 to 9 and letters from A to F. All the other keys are marked with Z80 machine language functions and instructions.
Apparently, there is no other language available than the built-in Z80 monitor. It enables you to directly program the Z80A microprocessor via the dedicated keyboard.
There is a RF TV video output to use any television as main display. A tape interface is here to save your work on magnetic tapes. There are even communication possibilities through a 24 i/o line connector.
The Menta is very rare and was only advertised in specialised magazines, next to EPROM programmers.
Indeed the Menta is very similar to its brother: Softy, an E-PROM programmer which used the same plastic case, almost same keyboard and had an E-PROM socket at the left part of the keyboard.
主要参数编辑本段回目录
NAME | Menta |
MANUFACTURER | Dataman Designs |
TYPE | Professional Computer |
ORIGIN | United Kingdom |
YEAR | 1981 |
BUILT IN LANGUAGE | Z80 monitor |
KEYBOARD | Flat membrane keyboard, 40 keys |
CPU | NEC D780C (Z80A clone) |
SPEED | Unknown |
RAM | 1 KB |
GRAPHIC MODES | none |
COLORS | No |
SOUND | None |
SIZE / WEIGHT | Unknown |
I/O PORTS | RF TV video output, 24 input/ouput lines, tape interface |
BUILT IN MEDIA | None |
POWER SUPPLY | External power supply (9V DC tip positive) |
PRICE | 1950 FF (France, Sept.. 1982) |