Olivetti M290

 Home > Browse Our Collection > Computers > Olivetti > Olivetti M290
 

The Olivetti M290 was a personal computer based around the Intel 80286 processor. Unlike standard IBM machines, it was designed around a largely passive backplane. The majority of what the modern user would consider 'the computer' was based on an add-on expansion card. This 'processor card' held the CPU, main memory, optional maths co-processor, and keyboard interface. Other expansion cards handled external connectivity such as video, serial, and parallel I/O. The standard M290 shipped with a video card and monitor compatible with the IBM EGA standard. Various storage options were available, ranging from one 5.25" floppy drive, to dual floppy drives plus a 40MB hard disk unit.

This machine was owned and used by Chris Turner who was Chief Engineer at Acorn Computers Ltd.

Manufacturer: Olivetti
Date: 1984



Comment on This Page

Other Systems Related To Olivetti M290:

Item Manufacturer Date
Olivetti BCS 3030 Olivetti 1979
Olivetti ETS 2010 with ET 115 Typewriter Olivetti 1981
Olivetti Quaderno Olivetti 1982
Olivetti M20 D Olivetti 31st March 1982
Olivetti M21 Olivetti 1983
Olivetti M10 Olivetti 1st January 1983
Olivetti M15 Plus Olivetti 1st January 1985
Olivetti Prodest PC 128S Olivetti 1987
Olivetti M380/C (Pandora Project) Olivetti 1988
Olivetti PC1 Prodest Olivetti 1988
Olivetti Prodest PC1 HD Olivetti 1988
Olivetti M290S Olivetti 1989
Olivetti D33 Olivetti 1991
Olivetti PCS 286S Olivetti 1991
Olivetti EO Personal Communicator 440 Olivetti April 1993

This exhibit has a reference ID of CH41372. Please quote this reference ID in any communication with the Centre for Computing History.

 

Olivetti M290


Click on the Image(s) For Detail


Articles

Help support the museum by buying from the museum shop

View all items

Founding Sponsors
redgate Google ARM Real VNC Microsoft Research
Heritage Lottery Funded
Heritage Lottery Fund
Accredited Museum