GEM 1000
Belgian home computer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The GEM 1000 Junior Computer, also known as Charlemagne 999, was a 1983 microcomputer sold in Belgium by Vidéo Direct International (VDI).[1][2][3][4] It was a low cost toy home computer for children from 5 years upwards,[2] produced by Taiwan based GEM International Corporation.[3] It was part of a family consisting of the GEM-2000 Family Mini-Computer, GEM-3000 Family Super Computer and the GEM-4000 Professional Computer.[5][4]
| Also known as | Charlemagne 999 |
|---|---|
| Developer | GEM International Corporation |
| Type | Computer |
| Released | 1983 |
| Operating system | BASIC |
| CPU | Zilog Z80A @ 3.57 MHz |
| Memory | 16 KB |
| Removable storage | Cassette tape |
| Display | 32×16 text in 8 colors; 128×64, 128×96, 128×192, 256×192 graphics with 2 background and 3 foreground colors |
| Graphics | MC6847P |
| Sound | AY-3-8910 |
| Input | 50 key QWERTY keyboard |
| Marketing target | Children |
| Related | CCE MC-1000, Rabbit RX83 |
The GEM 1000 used a Z80A CPU running at 3.57 MHz, had 16 KB of RAM, and a chiclet 50 key QWERTY keyboard.[3] BASIC commands were typed by pressing a single key using a dialect similar to Applesoft BASIC.[3] The Charlemagne 999 model used French instead of English keywords.[1]
The computer had a reported price of 7000 BEF in early 1984.[4]
Related machines
A similar machine, the Rabbit RX83 produced by Rabbit Computers of Hong Kong, was launched at the 1983 edition of the Consumer Electronics Show with a price of just US$99.[6][7][8] Nevertheless the Rabbit only had 2 KB of RAM, limiting the display to 32×16 characters in 8 colors or 128×64 graphics with 2 background and 3 foreground colors.
Another computer based on the GEM 1000 was the Brazilian CCE MC-1000.[3][9][10][11]
Technical specifications
- CPU: Zilog Z80A, 3.57 MHz[3]
- Memory: 16 KB RAM expandable to 64 KB; 8 KB ROM;[3]
- Keyboard: 50-key chiclet keyboard[3]
- Display: Motorola MC6847P (32×16 text in 8 colors; 128×64, 128×96, 128×192, 256×192 graphics with 2 background and 3 foreground colors)[3]
- Sound: AY-3-8910 (3 voices and white noise)[3]
- Ports: cassette recorder interface, TV output connector, joystick[3]