The Sord M5 was a Japanese home computer launched in 1982. In the UK it was distributed by CGL (Computer Games Limited) and rebranded as the CGL M5, arriving on these shores a year later. The CGL version was blue and grey, whereas the original Sord version was dark grey, with bright orange inside. This entry refers to the UK version.

This is one of a plethora of machines that found its way to market in the UK in 1983, when it seemed that a new micro was launching every week. The machine arrived at a price point above the ZX Spectrum at £149.99 and did not do very well, as it joined an already saturated market, and did not have the software library to compete with the already established machines.

Software was loaded into the machine via cassette, but was not numerous, there were also updated basic and games cartridges.

It had Chiclet keys similar to the Sinclair Spectrum, but with the bottom right corner shaved off.
 
The processor was a Zilog Z80 , running at 3.58 MHz.
 
Video Hardware consisted of 24x40 text (8x6 characters), 224 user defined characters, 256x192 graphics, 16 colours, 32 hardware sprites (up to 16x16 pixels).

Sound Hardware had 3 sound channels, 1 noise channel, 6 octaves, 15 amplitude levels.

Japan 1982
Language: Basic-G, Basic-I and Basic-F delivered on cartridges
Keyboard: Calculator type, 55 keys. Upper/lower case letters, 64 graphic symbols, 28 Basic statements
RAM      4 KB (up to 36 KB)
VRAM      16 KB
ROM      8 KB (up to 28 KB)
Size/Weight: 10.5'' (wide) x 7.25'' (deep) x 1.5'' (high)
262 x 185 x 36 mm. 800 gr
Price: £149

SN: 23C 01361

Manufacturer: Sord
Date: 1982

This exhibit has a reference ID of CH2427. Please quote this reference ID in any communication with the Centre for Computing History.