Apple iMac G3 (Tray Loading, Lime)

The iMac G3 was the first model of the iMac line of personal computers made by Apple Inc. (formerly Apple Computer, Inc.). The iMac G3 is an all-in-one, luggable personal computer, encompassing both the monitor and the CPU in a single enclosure. Originally released in striking bondi blue and later a range of brightly colored, translucent plastic, casings shipped with a keyboard and mouse in matching tints.

ROCC Teleputer

Evans & Sutherland Computer

Viglen PC

Commodore Amiga A500 Class of the 90s Pack

The Amiga 500, also known as the A500 (or its code name 'Rock Lobster'), was the first "low-end" Commodore Amiga 16/32-bit multimedia home/personal computer. It was announced at the winter Consumer Electronics Show in January 1987, at the same time as the high-end Amiga 2000, and competed directly against the Atari 520ST. Before the A500 was shipped Commodore suggested that the list price of the A500 was 595.95 USD without a monitor. At delivery in 1987, Commodore announced that the Amiga 500 would carry a 699 USD list price.

The Amiga 500 represented a return to Commodore's roots, being sold in the same mass retail outlets as the Commodore 64 to which it was a spiritual successor, as opposed to the computer store-only Amiga 1000.

In October 1989, the A500 dropped its price from 499 GBP to 399 GBP and was bundled with the Batman Pack in the United Kingdom. This price drop helped Commodore to sell more than 1 million A500s in 1989. In late 1991, an enhanced model known as the A500 Plus replaced the standard A500

Release date 1987
Discontinued 1991
Media 880 kB floppy disks
Operating system AmigaOS v1.2~1.3
CPU Motorola 68000 @ 7.16 MHz (NTSC)
7.09 MHz (PAL)
Memory 512 kB (9.5 MB maximum)
Graphics 640 × 256, 6 bpp
Sound 4× 8-bit channels at max 28 kHz with 6-bit volume in stereo.
Predecessor Amiga 1000

Sinclair ZX Spectrum +2A Action Pack

The Sinclair ZX Spectrum +2A was an Amstrad produced Sinclair machine housed in a black case, replacing the earlier grey colour model Plus 2.

Some early Spectrum +2A that used the Z70830 Spectrum +3 Motherboards have a sound problem, where a resistor was missed off the board, which had the unfortunate effect of channeling the 128K sound through the 48K circuit, creating a high level of distortion.

Internet folklore often has it, that all +2A machines have the fault, but almost all use an entirely different board (270833) which has the fault corrected. It is actually very rare to find a +2A machine with a sound fault, leading people to try and seek out the much rarer +2B needlessly, thought mistakenly by many  to be the only model with the sound fix.

Sinclair ZX Spectrum Vega

The Vega is a crowdfunded modern re-design of the ZX Spectrum. Although similar in style it lacks a full size keyboard. It comes preloaded with 1000 titles and more can be added via a micro SD card. The Vega connects to a TV using an rca composite cable. 

Homebrew RAM Expansion

A homemade RAM expansion possibly for a UK101 or possibly a Nascom. In order to save space on the Veroboard the RAM chips have been mounted vertically and their pins straightened, two additional boards have been soldered to the top completing the circuit. 

Eltime Image III

The Eltime Image II is a TV picture store board. The board is designed to interface directly with any Motorola 6800 series of microprocessors. The image can be grabbed in real time and stored. 

Armadillo A616 Sound Sampler

THE A616 Is an eight-voice stereo sampler, comprising a 1U-high rackmount unit and software which will run on any of the Archimedes series of computers. The hardware has two unbalanced audio inputs and outputs as well as a headphone socket and a digital signal output (SPDif), along with MIDI In, Out and Thru ports. The unit is connected to the computer via a ribbon connector and a special Armadillo podule which plugs into the back of the Archimedes.

Sampling frequencies of 44.1kHz (CD) and 48kHz (R-DAT) are offered, and the amount of sampling time available is dependent on the memory of the computer. 

Cumana External Hard Drive

An external hard drive containing a Kalok Octagon KL320 hard disk. 

Acorn Second Processor prototype PCB

An unused printed circuit board for a BBC Micro 2nd processor. This one appears to be for a prototype (Issue A). 

Timex Sinclair 1500

The Timex Sinclair 1000 was followed by an improved version, the Timex Sinclair 1500, which had more memory (16 KB) and a lower price of US$80. However, the TS1500 did not achieve market success, as the marketplace was by this time dominated by Commodore, Radio Shack, Atari and Apple.

IBM 129 Key Punch

A keypunch is a device for precisely punching holes into stiff paper cards at specific locations as determined by keys struck by a human operator. 

BBC Micro prototype PCB

A printed circuit board for a prototype BBC Micro based on the date (1983) this is probably for an Issue 7. 

Audio Computers Special Cartridge

A RAM Cartridge for the Commodore VIC-20. Commodore's official RAM expansions only supplied a maximum of 16kB, however third party cartridges could supply up to 64kB. 

This version, produced by Audio Computers has 32kB RAM. 

IBM Card Gauge

A metal punch card gauge used to check that punched holes in IBM cards were aligned correctly. 

Pen Power JR.

The Pen Power JR is equipped with a stylus used to write Chinese characters. The software can be customised to recognise either simplified or traditional characters. If the character is written incorrectly the software will attempt to match with the closest in its database.  

N64 Magazine Cartridge Holder

Quickshot Speech Mate II

A PC microphone that attaches to the top of a monitor. 

Model # QS-5842

Features: 

• Monitor-Top Design for "Hands Free" Operation. 
• Suitable for Voice Recognition and Telephony Applications. 
• ON/OFF Switch
• Powered via Sound card or by 2 AA Batteries (Batteries not included). 
• 6-Foot Cable. 
• Universally Compatible with all sound cards. 

TV Game Cartridge Rack

Apple Macintosh Microphone

Amstrad Speech Synthesiser SSA-1

From the manual. 

The Amstrad SSA1 combined speech synthesiser and amplifier represents the latest state of the art in speech synthesis for the home micro. 

Until recently most speech synthesisers could only manage a limited range of words, decided on during manufacture. This was fine if the word you wanted to say what was available. In contrast, the SSA1 can say any word or sentence in the English language. It does this by using a combination of descrete speech sounds called allophones. By combining allophones together intelligible speech is produced. 

The SSA1 also incorporates a sophisticated Text to Speech conversion system that allows most arbitrary English text to be spoken automatically. A stereo amplifier ensures crisp speech whilst allowing full use to be made of the CPC464's audio sound. 

Comus Instruments Daisy

This computer was manufactured and sold by Comus Instruments of Kingston Upon Hull as an analogue sampling device. Internally it used a BBC Master motherboard connected to custom data sampling boards. Little is available online about this computer. It was donated by an ex-Comus employee who mentioned that approximately 200 units were sold in total.

Apple Power Macintosh G5

Apple iMac G3/DV (Slot Loading - Graphite)

The Apple iMac G3/350 (Slot Loading - Blueberry, No Firewire), based on the Kihei architecture, features a 350 MHz PowerPC 750 (G3) processor, 512k backside level 2 cache, 64 MB of RAM, a 6.0 GB Ultra ATA hard drive, a slot loading 24X CD-ROM drive, ATI Rage 128 VR 2D/3D (AGP 2X) graphics with 8 MB of VRAM, and a Harmon-Kardon designed sound system packed into a translucent "blueberry" all-in-one case design with a 15-inch CRT display.

Unlike previous iMac models, the iMac "Slot Loading" series is convection cooled for quieter operation and lacks the internal metal housing for a more translucent appearance.

Intro Date: October 5, 1999
Model Number M5521

Processor Type PowerPC G3
Processor Speed 350 MHz
Video Output Interface AGP 2x
Motherboard I/O Ports USB 1.1 x 2
Bus Speed 100 MHz

Display
Screen Type CRT Display
Screen Size 15"

Hard Drive Capacity 6 GB
Hard Drive Interface Ultra ATA

Memory
RAM Technology SDRAM
Installed RAM 64 MB
RAM Supported Speed 100 MHz
RAM Max Supported Size 512 MB
RAM Memory Slots Qunatity 2 x 168 Pin SDRAM DIMMs
Installed Cache Memory 64 KB
Max. Cache Memory 64 KB

Optical Drive Type CD-ROM
Optical Drive Read Speed 24x (CD)

Video
On Board Graphic Processor ATI Rage 128VR
Max. Video Resolution 1024 x 768
Installed Video Memory 8 MB

Modem
Networking Data Link Protocol AirPort Extreme Ready, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet Networking Type Integrated 10/100 Network Card

Dimensions
Depth 17.6 in. Height 15.8 in. Width 15.2 in. Weight 34.7 lb.

kindly donated by Andrew Borkett of the Faculty of Education in Cambridge University.

Apple iMac G3/DV (Slot Loading - Dalmation)

The Apple iMac G3/350 (Slot Loading - Blueberry, No Firewire), based on the Kihei architecture, features a 350 MHz PowerPC 750 (G3) processor, 512k backside level 2 cache, 64 MB of RAM, a 6.0 GB Ultra ATA hard drive, a slot loading 24X CD-ROM drive, ATI Rage 128 VR 2D/3D (AGP 2X) graphics with 8 MB of VRAM, and a Harmon-Kardon designed sound system packed into a translucent "blueberry" all-in-one case design with a 15-inch CRT display.

Unlike previous iMac models, the iMac "Slot Loading" series is convection cooled for quieter operation and lacks the internal metal housing for a more translucent appearance.

Intro Date: October 5, 1999
Model Number M5521

Processor Type PowerPC G3
Processor Speed 350 MHz
Video Output Interface AGP 2x
Motherboard I/O Ports USB 1.1 x 2
Bus Speed 100 MHz

Display
Screen Type CRT Display
Screen Size 15"

Hard Drive Capacity 6 GB
Hard Drive Interface Ultra ATA

Memory
RAM Technology SDRAM
Installed RAM 64 MB
RAM Supported Speed 100 MHz
RAM Max Supported Size 512 MB
RAM Memory Slots Qunatity 2 x 168 Pin SDRAM DIMMs
Installed Cache Memory 64 KB
Max. Cache Memory 64 KB

Optical Drive Type CD-ROM
Optical Drive Read Speed 24x (CD)

Video
On Board Graphic Processor ATI Rage 128VR
Max. Video Resolution 1024 x 768
Installed Video Memory 8 MB

Modem
Networking Data Link Protocol AirPort Extreme Ready, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet Networking Type Integrated 10/100 Network Card

Dimensions
Depth 17.6 in. Height 15.8 in. Width 15.2 in. Weight 34.7 lb.

kindly donated by Andrew Borkett of the Faculty of Education in Cambridge University.

Spectravision Sting-ray joystick

An ergonomically designed microswitch joystick produced by Spectravideo in 1991. It has three buttons and an auto-fire switch. 

Wild Vision Chroma 150

The Wild Vision Chroma 150 PAL Coder converts the RGB output of a computer into PAL composite video, RGB and UHF. The primary purpose is to allow a computer's RGB output to be displayed on a standard composite monitor ar to be recorded on a video recorder.The unit has additional PAL composite, RGB and UHF outputs which enables several monitors to be connected to one computer.

Hybrid Music 6000 Sensor

Racal-Milgo MPS 24 Modem

The MPS24 is a synchronous modem, presumably working at 2400 baud.

STD PS2Mouse adaptor for Archimedes

PS2 mouse adaptor the Archimedes. Made by STD (Stuart Tyrell Developments).

RiscStation R7500 motherboard.

Based on the Acorn A7000, and built by Simtec. It's labelled 'Orpheus'.

Commodore Pet 64K memory board

ASSY 8032110 - 64K memory board, presumably for the Pet 8032.

Backpack CD-rewriter

2Backpack hardware features:

Rank Xerox Line Coupler

Product code XB331. Produced in June 1975, this device allowed a connected computer to communicate with a remote computer using one line coupler at each end of a communications line.

Micro Media 5.25" Disks

Micro Media box containing 9 5.25" floppy disks. Disks are makred "Reversible - for all single sided drives".

BT Gold Standard Flexible Discs

10 x 5.25" high quality error free flexible discs.

BT Merlin Silver Flexible Discs

5 x 5.25" BT Merlin Mini Flexible Disk.

STC Dual Disk Drive Unit

Two 5.25" floppy disk drives, mounted in a freestanding grey unit. Powered by standard IEC lead. No model number, but marked "STC" on the rear.

The Micro User Disk Storage Box

Rigid storage box for 5.25" floppy disks. Branded "The Micro User" on front.

3M Diskettes

Sealed pack of ten 5.25" double sides, double density, 96 TPI soft-sector disks. Label on front: "Enter the 3M Olympics! Instant prizes to be won plus win a trip to the winter Olympics Closing date 31/12/87"

Tandy 5.25" Universal Certified Diskette

Tandy computers 5.25" floppy disk. Marked "Universal certified diskette. Suitable for use with most 5.25" Disk Drives, Single or Double Sided. Single, Double, or Quad Density. Certified Error Free."

US Gold C15 Premium Blank Cassette

C15 blank audio cassette. Marketed by US Gold: 'Leader of the Pack'.

British Telecom 10 x 5.25" Disks

Ten 5.25" error f ree flexible disks. Double sided; quad density; soft sectored; 96 tracks per inch. 

Sony MFD-2ED 3.5

10xMFD-2ED 3.5" floppy disks (sealed).

Topas TPS-60

The Topas TPS-60 terminal supports advanced display, communications, and keyboard features, as well as a variety of personalities: PC, DEC (VT220/100/52), and ANSI (XENIX, MS-DOS).

Voltmace Mouse Joystick Splitter

Splits mouse socket into mouse and joystick

Trilogic Midi Interface for the Amiga

Midi interface for the Amiga - offers one 'in', one 'out' and one 'thru' - plus two configurable out/thru connections.

Camputers Lynx 128

The first machine, the Lynx 48K, was released in March 1983 as a home computer system to directly rival the Spectrum. The specification was rapidly upgraded to 96K in September 1983, and those who had bought a 48K system could send their machines back to Camputers to have the upgrade installed. This was one of the touted features of the Lynx range - easy expandability.

At the same time as the 96K Lynxes made it into the shops, the first Disk Drives were released. These were as stylish as the computer, finished in a business style dark grey, contained their own internal power supplies and had a then-substantial 200 kilobytes of storage capacity.

The disk drives were a significant development and offered the Lynx range a disk operating system which worked with, and expanded on, the Lynx's BASIC language.

In December, 1983, the Lynx 128K system was released. This sported a completely new motherboard, updated BASIC, a high resolution 80 column screen, and the CP/M 2.2 operating system using the standard disk drives. Whilst the 48K and 96K Lynxes used a Z80A microprocessor clocked at 4 MHz, the 128K used a 6 MHz Z80B microprocessor, giving a substantial speed improvement.

Whilst the range of computers and peripherals developed were very good, particularly the stylised modular design, Camputers were in big trouble and within 18 months of starting, the company went bust, in June 1984, owing over half a million pounds. The company's assets were taken over by another company, Anston Technology, but this too quickly folded without making any progress.

Reasons for Camputers' failure were manifold. The computers were, at £225, inherently over-priced going into a fiercely competitive and saturated market and particularly as it was clearly pitched to try and capture market share from the Sinclair Spectrum weighing in at only £99. So despite it being much classier than a Spectrum, very few machines were sold in the UK. Camputers were able to sell many more machines in Europe, particularly France, Spain and Greece.

The timing of the release of each Lynx model were so late as to have missed their own target markets - the 48K was a year late and should have made the shops in early 1982. The 128K machine should have been widely available by September 1983 but didn't actually come to light until January 1984, completely missing the Christmas 1983 market.

There was far too little software written for the Lynx range. Camputers, like so many rivals, under-invested in games and quality applications for the system. Without any so-called 'killer' applications there was little incentive to buy a Lynx in preference to any rival.

The final failing of Camputers, which was of their own making, was the lie of the boast of expandability. There was also an implication of compatibility. The 48K Lynx could be expanded to 96K, this was true, but only by returning the unit to the manufacturers, and even then it took them a 'long' time to do the upgrade, even though it was relatively simple. There was no route to expansion to 192K however, not for the 48K or the 96K, despite what it said on the box.

Some software which worked on a 48K Lynx didn't work when you got your Lynx back with the new 96K upgrade. Even worse was to follow when the 128K Lynx couldn't handle any 48K or 96K software without significant rewrites. This was due to the different internal architecture of the 128K from the 48K/96K and the BASIC operating system being rewritten in the 128K.

The 48K Lynx could not run the disk drives, not without being expanded to a 96K system first. And the 96K Lynx promised to deliver CP/M 2.2 with the disk drives but Camputers gave up and buried this idea.

Approximately 30,000 Lynx units were sold world-wide. It is estimated that 20-30% were sold in the UK, the rest in Europe, mainly in France, Spain and Greece.

Our model 128 has a serial no: 011552

SJ Research A300 Nexus Interface (issue 5)

Wild Vision Lucy ATM Module

The Wild Vsion Lucy podule is an ATM podule made for Acorn Online Media and ATM Ltd. The podule is designed to fit a Set Top Box (or other computer without a backplane), because to is mounted vertically underneath the card instead of horizontally on top.

Design IT EtherLan 550 podule

The Design IT EtherLAN 550 is the same as the i-cubed EtherLAN 550 which Design IT took over from I-cubed. The podule still has the I-cubed copyright from 1997 and part number printed on it. This podule is 10baeT only and does not have the 10base2 BNC interface fitted.

OAK Solutions 16 bit Classnet

The 16bit ClassNet cards were designed for the Acorn Archimedes and A5000. The ClassNet card uses a Fujitsu MB6960A LAN controller.

This 16 bit Classnet card has the ClassNet ROM (version 4.03) in the top right and has 1 socketed and 1 soldered RAM IC. It also has its back plate.The ClassNet card has both 10Base 2 (BNC) and AUI (10Base5) connectors.

i-cubed EtherLan 100

The i-cubed EtherLan 100 is an Ethernet adaptor for the A3010, A3020 and A4000, This example is a combo adaptor with both 10Base2 BNC and 10BaseT RJ45 sockets. The EtherLan 100 uses the EtherH 8bit driver.

Atomwide Ethernet V

An Ethernet podule interface with a 10Base2 (BNC) and 10BaseT (RJ45) socket. The main IC is a Seeq VP06652. The ROM is for a TopCat v1.4 diskless boot.

Risc Developments Archimedes Ethernet Card

The Risc Developments Archimedes Ethernet card has a 10base2 and AUI connectors. It uses the Seeq VP06652 Ethernet controller.

Beebug Archimedes Ethernet Card

The Beebug Archimedes Ethernet card has a 10base2 and AUI connectors. It uses the Seeq VP06652 Ethernet controller.

Acorn AMD10 1 slot backplane

The Acorn AMD10 1 Slot Backplane is a single slot backplane for use with the A7000 and A7000+. It is short enough for the A7000 top cover to be closed properly whereas a Risc PC 2 Slot Backplane is a bit too tall. It can only be fitted to an A7000 if a CDROM is not fitted as the CD-ROM drive and podule would occupy the same space.

SJ Research A3000 Nexus Networking Interface