Amstrad Mega PC: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Hybrid personal computer / game console}} |
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{{original research|date=January 2015}} |
{{original research|date=January 2015}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}} |
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{{Infobox information appliance |
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| name = Amstrad Mega PC |
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| aka = |
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| logo = |
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| image = Amstrad Mega PC (5058669424) (retouched).jpg |
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| developer = |
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| manufacturer = [[Amstrad]] (licensed by [[Sega]]) |
| manufacturer = [[Amstrad]] (licensed by [[Sega]]) |
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| type = [[Video game console]] / [[Personal computer]] |
| family = |
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| type = [[Video game console]] / [[Personal computer]] |
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| generation = [[History of video game consoles (fourth generation)|Fourth generation]] (16-bit era) |
| generation = [[History of video game consoles (fourth generation)|Fourth generation]] (16-bit era) |
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| releasedate = {{Start date and age|1993}} |
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| lifespan = Europe 1993<br>Australia 1993 |
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| price = |
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| discontinued = |
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| CPU = 32-bit [[Intel 80386|Intel 80386SX]] |
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| unitssold = |
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| unitsshipped = |
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| power = ≈50W |
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| soc = |
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| memory card = |
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| display = |
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| sound = |
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| input = |
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| controllers = |
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| camera = |
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| touchpad = |
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| connectivity = |
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| platform = |
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| service = |
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| weight = |
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| topgame = |
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| website = <!--{{URL|example.org}}--> |
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⚫ | The '''Mega PC''' is a [[computer]] manufactured and released by [[Amstrad]] in 1993 under license from [[Sega]]. It was similar but unrelated to the [[Sega TeraDrive]]. It is a standard Amstrad PC with [[Sega Mega Drive]] hardware bundled inside; the system was wired to share the [[dual-sync monitor]] and speakers with the Mega Drive on a separate [[circuit board]].<ref name=every2dotcom>{{cite web|url=http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=810824 |title=Amstrad MegaPC @ |publisher=Everything2.com |date=29 October 2000 |access-date=30 May 2010}}</ref> |
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⚫ | Initially released in [[PAL]] areas such as [[Europe]] and [[Australia]] in 1993,<ref name=segaretro-megapc>{{cite web|url=http://segaretro.org/Amstrad_Mega_PC |title=Sega Retro: Amstrad Mega PC |publisher=SegaRetro.org |access-date=19 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140802123002/http://segaretro.org/Amstrad_Mega_PC |archive-date=2 August 2014}}</ref> its success was short-lived due to its high price of [[Pound Sterling|£]]999.99 (later reduced to £599) and a [[CPU]] that was outdated by the time of its release. It was slightly easier to acquire an Amstrad Mega PC than the Sega TeraDrive system due to higher manufacturing volumes. Both systems have become [[collectable|collector's item]]s. |
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⚫ | The '''Mega PC''' is a [[computer]] manufactured and released by [[Amstrad]] in 1993 under |
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⚫ | Initially released in PAL areas such as [[Europe]] and [[Australia]] in 1993,<ref name=segaretro-megapc>{{cite web|url=http://segaretro.org/Amstrad_Mega_PC |title=Sega Retro: Amstrad Mega PC |publisher=SegaRetro.org |date= |
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==Technical specifications== |
==Technical specifications== |
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⚫ | |||
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; font-size:0.85em;" |
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⚫ | The Mega PC was as a more robust unit than Sega's TeraDrive and had more efficient air circulation.<ref name=assembler-p3>{{cite web|url=http://assembler.roarvgm.com/Amstrad_megadrive_computer_1/Amstrad_megadrive_3/amstrad_megadrive_3.html |title=Assembler: Page 3 (via Archive.org) |publisher=Web.archive.org |date=23 May 2008 |access-date=30 May 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080523123514/http://assembler.roarvgm.com/Amstrad_megadrive_computer_1/Amstrad_megadrive_3/amstrad_megadrive_3.html |archive-date=23 May 2008}}</ref> The Mega PC was [[IBM-compatible]] and had a Mega Drive [[ISA card]], a Mega Drive controller, keyboard, mouse, monitor, joystick and internal speakers. |
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|- |
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! style="width:95%;" colspan="2"| Specifications |
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|- |
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! Processor |
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! Memory |
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|- |
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! Storage |
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| 3.5" [[Floppy disk|FDD]], 40MB HDD |
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|- |
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! Video |
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|- |
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! [[Operating System]] |
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! Dimensions |
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|- |
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! Power Usage |
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| ~50W |
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|} |
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[[Image:Amstrad VSC386SXD V2.01.jpg|thumb|230px|left|Mega PC motherboard, code VSC386SXD]] |
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⚫ | The machine shipped with 1MB of [[RAM]], provided by 4× 256KB 30-pin [[SIMM]] sticks. This was expandable to 16MB by using 4× 4MB memory modules.<ref name=servicemanual>{{cite web|url=http://www.amstradcg.nl/mega.pdf |title=Amstrad Mega PC Service manual |format=PDF |access-date=30 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090920003233/http://www.amstradcg.nl/mega.pdf |archive-date=20 September 2009 }}</ref> |
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⚫ | Although it boasted a higher specification than the Sega TeraDrive (having more RAM and a faster processor), the specification of the Mega PC's CPU was a generation old. The newer [[Intel 80486]] was on the market and the first [[Pentium]] processors were released the same year as the Mega PC. The system was unable to act as a [[Software Development Kit]] due to its inability to simultaneously use the PC and the Mega Drive hardware. A cover on the front of the unit prevented the insertion of a Mega Drive game cartridge while using the PC hardware.<ref name=assembler-p1>{{cite web|url=http://assembler.roarvgm.com/Amstrad_megadrive_computer_1/amstrad_megadrive_computer_1.html |title=Assembler: Page 1 (via Archive.org) |publisher=Web.archive.org |access-date=30 May 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080614215246/http://assembler.roarvgm.com/Amstrad_megadrive_computer_1/amstrad_megadrive_computer_1.html |archive-date = 14 June 2008}}</ref> |
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[[Image:MegaPC ISASideView.jpg|thumb|230px|left|Side view of the unit, showing the ISA card, spare slot and RAM positioning]] |
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⚫ | The machine shipped with 1MB of [[RAM]], provided by 4× 256KB 30-pin [[SIMM]] sticks. This was expandable to 16MB by using 4× 4MB memory modules.<ref name=servicemanual>{{cite web|url=http://www.amstradcg.nl/mega.pdf |title=Amstrad Mega PC Service manual |format=PDF |date= | |
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⚫ | Although it boasted a higher specification than the Sega TeraDrive (having more RAM and a faster processor), the specification of the Mega PC's CPU was a generation old. The newer [[Intel 80486]] was on the market and the first [[Pentium]] processors were released the same year as the Mega PC. The system was unable to act as a [[Software Development Kit]] due to its inability to simultaneously use the PC and the Mega Drive hardware. A cover on the front of the unit prevented the insertion of a Mega Drive game cartridge while using the PC hardware.<ref name=assembler-p1>{{cite web|url=http://assembler.roarvgm.com/Amstrad_megadrive_computer_1/amstrad_megadrive_computer_1.html |title=Assembler: Page 1 (via Archive.org) |publisher=Web.archive.org |date= |
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===Input/Output=== |
===Input/Output=== |
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[[Image:MegaPC Rear.jpg|thumb|230px|left|Close up of the rear of the unit, showing ports and their positions]] |
[[Image:MegaPC Rear.jpg|thumb|230px|left|Close up of the rear of the unit, showing ports and their positions]] |
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The machine's rear houses multiple I/O ports. These include two [[serial port]]s, a 25-pin [[parallel port]], a [[VGA port]] with combined signals for a standard VGA monitor and sound (Amstrad monitor only), a speaker/headphone jack, and a 15 |
The machine's rear houses multiple [[I/O]] ports. These include two [[serial port]]s, a 25-pin [[parallel port]], a [[VGA port]] with combined signals for a standard VGA monitor and sound (Amstrad monitor only), a speaker/headphone jack, and a 15-pin [[game port]] for a joystick. |
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[[Image:MegaPC ISAcard.jpg|thumb|200px|right|View of the ISA card inside the Mega PC, showing the free ISA slot]] |
[[Image:MegaPC ISAcard.jpg|thumb|200px|right|View of the ISA card inside the Mega PC, showing the free ISA slot]] |
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The [[motherboard]] includes a [[16 |
The [[motherboard]] includes a [[16-bit]] ISA slot connected to a [[riser card]], providing a total of two 16-bit ISA slots. One of these slots is populated with an ISA card, which provides connections for sound at the rear of the machine and a connection for the Mega Drive cartridge at the front. The other slot was left free for expansion (such as the addition of a [[modem]] or [[Network Interface Card]]).<ref name=servicemanual /> |
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The Sega TeraDrive includes stereo [[RCA jack]]s and [[Composite video|composite]] [[NTSC]] video output for connection to a TV, whereas the Mega PC lacks this feature, but could be connected to a PAL TV through SCART.<ref name=assembler-p1/> Outputs from both the PC and Mega Drive units are available from a shared [[VGA]] connector, but since video output from the Mega Drive is still 15 kHz RGB it works fine when connected to a TV using SCART. When using the PC hardware, only a Multisync or [[VGA]] monitor can be used, as the unit outputs video at 31 kHz.<ref name=every2dotcom/> |
The Sega TeraDrive includes stereo [[RCA jack]]s and [[Composite video|composite]] [[NTSC]] video output for connection to a TV, whereas the Mega PC lacks this feature, but could be connected to a PAL TV through [[SCART]].<ref name=assembler-p1/> Outputs from both the PC and Mega Drive units are available from a shared [[VGA]] connector, but since video output from the Mega Drive is still 15 kHz RGB it works fine when connected to a TV using SCART. When using the PC hardware, only a Multisync or [[VGA]] monitor can be used, as the unit outputs video at 31 kHz.<ref name=every2dotcom/> |
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{{clear left}} |
{{clear left}} |
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===Compatibility=== |
===Compatibility=== |
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The system shipped with an Amstrad |
The system shipped with an Amstrad-branded controller that is internally identical to Sega's, allowing the controllers to be used on either system. |
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==Peripherals== |
==Peripherals== |
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Amstrad bundled several peripherals with its Mega PC, including: |
Amstrad bundled several peripherals with its Mega PC, including: |
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*Dual |
*Dual-sync 15 kHz/31 kHz Amstrad-branded 14" white monitor with internal speakers |
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* |
*Mega Drive white control pad with Amstrad branding and Amstrad white joystick |
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*Amstrad white joystick |
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*Standard Amstrad keyboard and mouse using [[PS/2 port|PS/2]] interface |
*Standard Amstrad keyboard and mouse using [[PS/2 port|PS/2]] interface |
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==Sales== |
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The machine launched in 1993, selling in Australia with a retail price in February of [[AU$]]1999 ({{inflation|AU|1999|1993|r=-2|fmt=eq}}), although small discounts were offered<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90441835/amstrad-mega-pc-au/ |title=Amstrad Mega PC Computer |newspaper=The Age |page=16 |date=4 February 1993}}</ref> and had fallen to AU$1499 ({{inflation|AU|1499|1993|r=-2|fmt=eq}}) by June.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90441962/amstrad-mega-pc-au/ |title=Amstrad Mega PC: Australia June 93 Retail Price |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |page=55 |date=3 June 1993}}</ref> In the United Kingdom, the unit was selling for between £550<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90441938/amstrad-mega-pc-uk/ |title=Amstrad Mega PC |newspaper=The Observer |page=33 |date=10 October 1993}}</ref> and £600 ({{inflation|UK-GDP|575|1993|r=-2|fmt=eq|cursign=£}}), with variable pricing depending upon what came bundled.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90441942/amstrad-mega-pc-uk/ |title=Amstrad Mega PC+ |newspaper=The Guardian |page=113 |date=23 October 1993}}</ref> |
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==Mega Plus== |
==Mega Plus== |
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Amstrad |
Amstrad advertised, but never released, a successor to the Mega PC named the Amstrad Mega Plus. It boasted slightly higher specifications, with the processor upgraded to a [[Cyrix Cx486SLC]] running at 33 MHz and a RAM upgrade of 4× 1MB SIMM modules (4MB).<ref name=megaplusref1>{{cite web|url=http://www.1000bit.net/scheda.asp?id=2038 |title=1000 BiT +- Computer's description |publisher=1000bit.net |access-date=30 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928082640/http://www.1000bit.net/scheda.asp?id=2038 |archive-date=28 September 2007 }}</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{commonscat|Amstrad Mega PC}} |
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*[http://www.uk.playright.dk/raretitel.php?id=13883 Amstrad Mega PC] Play:Right Rare {{de icon}} |
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*{{ |
*{{in lang|de}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20080614215246/http://assembler.roarvgm.com/Amstrad_megadrive_computer_1/amstrad_megadrive_computer_1.html Amstrad Mega PC] Play:Right Rare |
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*{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080614215246/http://assembler.roarvgm.com/Amstrad_megadrive_computer_1/amstrad_megadrive_computer_1.html |date=14 June 2008 |title=Amstrad Mega PC article at Assembler }} |
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{{Sega Genesis}} |
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{{Sega|Mega Drive/Genesis}} |
{{Sega|Mega Drive/Genesis}} |
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[[Category:Sega Genesis]] |
[[Category:Sega Genesis]] |
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[[Category:Sega hardware]] |
[[Category:Sega hardware]] |
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[[Category:Computer-related introductions in 1993]] |
Latest revision as of 18:55, 30 August 2024
This article possibly contains original research. (January 2015) |
Manufacturer | Amstrad (licensed by Sega) |
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Type | Video game console / Personal computer |
Generation | Fourth generation (16-bit era) |
Release date | 1993 |
Lifespan | Europe 1993 Australia 1993 |
Media | Cartridge, Diskette |
Operating system | MS-DOS 5.0 with Amstrad Desktop |
CPU | 32-bit Intel 80386SX @ 25 MHz Motorola 68000 @ 7.14 MHz |
Memory | 1MB SIMM RAM (expandable to 16MB) |
Storage | 40MB Hard Drive, 3.5" Floppy Disk |
Graphics | SVGA Graphics with 256KB RAM |
Power | ≈50W |
Dimensions | 325 mm(w) x 78 mm(h) x 292 mm(d) |
The Mega PC is a computer manufactured and released by Amstrad in 1993 under license from Sega. It was similar but unrelated to the Sega TeraDrive. It is a standard Amstrad PC with Sega Mega Drive hardware bundled inside; the system was wired to share the dual-sync monitor and speakers with the Mega Drive on a separate circuit board.[1]
Initially released in PAL areas such as Europe and Australia in 1993,[2] its success was short-lived due to its high price of £999.99 (later reduced to £599) and a CPU that was outdated by the time of its release. It was slightly easier to acquire an Amstrad Mega PC than the Sega TeraDrive system due to higher manufacturing volumes. Both systems have become collector's items.
Technical specifications
[edit]The Mega PC was as a more robust unit than Sega's TeraDrive and had more efficient air circulation.[3] The Mega PC was IBM-compatible and had a Mega Drive ISA card, a Mega Drive controller, keyboard, mouse, monitor, joystick and internal speakers.
The machine shipped with 1MB of RAM, provided by 4× 256KB 30-pin SIMM sticks. This was expandable to 16MB by using 4× 4MB memory modules.[4]
Although it boasted a higher specification than the Sega TeraDrive (having more RAM and a faster processor), the specification of the Mega PC's CPU was a generation old. The newer Intel 80486 was on the market and the first Pentium processors were released the same year as the Mega PC. The system was unable to act as a Software Development Kit due to its inability to simultaneously use the PC and the Mega Drive hardware. A cover on the front of the unit prevented the insertion of a Mega Drive game cartridge while using the PC hardware.[5]
Input/Output
[edit]The machine's rear houses multiple I/O ports. These include two serial ports, a 25-pin parallel port, a VGA port with combined signals for a standard VGA monitor and sound (Amstrad monitor only), a speaker/headphone jack, and a 15-pin game port for a joystick.
The motherboard includes a 16-bit ISA slot connected to a riser card, providing a total of two 16-bit ISA slots. One of these slots is populated with an ISA card, which provides connections for sound at the rear of the machine and a connection for the Mega Drive cartridge at the front. The other slot was left free for expansion (such as the addition of a modem or Network Interface Card).[4]
The Sega TeraDrive includes stereo RCA jacks and composite NTSC video output for connection to a TV, whereas the Mega PC lacks this feature, but could be connected to a PAL TV through SCART.[5] Outputs from both the PC and Mega Drive units are available from a shared VGA connector, but since video output from the Mega Drive is still 15 kHz RGB it works fine when connected to a TV using SCART. When using the PC hardware, only a Multisync or VGA monitor can be used, as the unit outputs video at 31 kHz.[1]
Compatibility
[edit]The system shipped with an Amstrad-branded controller that is internally identical to Sega's, allowing the controllers to be used on either system.
Peripherals
[edit]Amstrad bundled several peripherals with its Mega PC, including:
- Dual-sync 15 kHz/31 kHz Amstrad-branded 14" white monitor with internal speakers
- Mega Drive white control pad with Amstrad branding and Amstrad white joystick
- Standard Amstrad keyboard and mouse using PS/2 interface
Sales
[edit]The machine launched in 1993, selling in Australia with a retail price in February of AU$1999 (equivalent to $4,200 in 2022), although small discounts were offered[6] and had fallen to AU$1499 (equivalent to $3,100 in 2022) by June.[7] In the United Kingdom, the unit was selling for between £550[8] and £600 (equivalent to £1,100 in 2023), with variable pricing depending upon what came bundled.[9]
Mega Plus
[edit]Amstrad advertised, but never released, a successor to the Mega PC named the Amstrad Mega Plus. It boasted slightly higher specifications, with the processor upgraded to a Cyrix Cx486SLC running at 33 MHz and a RAM upgrade of 4× 1MB SIMM modules (4MB).[10]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "Amstrad MegaPC @". Everything2.com. 29 October 2000. Retrieved 30 May 2010.
- ^ "Sega Retro: Amstrad Mega PC". SegaRetro.org. Archived from the original on 2 August 2014. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
- ^ "Assembler: Page 3 (via Archive.org)". Web.archive.org. 23 May 2008. Archived from the original on 23 May 2008. Retrieved 30 May 2010.
- ^ a b "Amstrad Mega PC Service manual" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 September 2009. Retrieved 30 May 2010.
- ^ a b "Assembler: Page 1 (via Archive.org)". Web.archive.org. Archived from the original on 14 June 2008. Retrieved 30 May 2010.
- ^ "Amstrad Mega PC Computer". The Age. 4 February 1993. p. 16.
- ^ "Amstrad Mega PC: Australia June 93 Retail Price". The Sydney Morning Herald. 3 June 1993. p. 55.
- ^ "Amstrad Mega PC". The Observer. 10 October 1993. p. 33.
- ^ "Amstrad Mega PC+". The Guardian. 23 October 1993. p. 113.
- ^ "1000 BiT +- Computer's description". 1000bit.net. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 30 May 2010.
External links
[edit]- (in German)Amstrad Mega PC Play:Right Rare
- Amstrad Mega PC article at Assembler at the Wayback Machine (archived 14 June 2008)