KC 85
Microcomputers made in East Germany from 1984 until 1990. / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The KC 85[5] ('KC' meaning "Kleincomputer", or "small computer") were models of microcomputers (KC 85/2, KC 85/3 and KC 85/4) built in East Germany by VEB Mikroelektronik "Wilhelm Pieck" Mühlhausen. The first model in the series, the HC 900, originally designed as a home computer and introduced in 1984, was renamed to KC 85/2 in 1985 to de-empathize its use as consumer good.[6][7][8]
 KC 85/4 | |
| Also known as | "Kleincomputer" |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | VEB Mikroelektronik "Wilhelm Pieck" Mühlhausen |
| Type | Microcomputer |
| Release date | HC 900: Q2 1984 KC 85/2: Q2 1985 KC 85/3: Q2 1986 KC 85/4: Q2 1988[1] |
| Lifespan | 6 years |
| Introductory price | KC 85/3: 1700 M[2] KC 85/4: 4100 M[3] |
| Discontinued | HC 900: 1985 KC 85/2: 1986 KC 85/3: 1988 KC 85/4: Q3 1990[1] |
| Units sold | ~45.000[4] |
| Media | Cassette tape, floppy disk, expansion modules |
| Operating system | CAOS [de] (4 KB) KC 85/3 and KC 85/4: KC-BASIC [de] interpreter in ROM |
| CPU | U880 (Zilog Z80 clone) |
| Memory | 32 KB KC 85/4: 64+64 KB (DRAM) |
| Display | 320×256 pixels, per 4 × 8 pixels: 1 of 16 foreground and 1 of 8 background colors KC 85/4: more colors |
| Graphics | series 7400 ICs |
| Sound | 2x square wave, 8 volumes, 6 octaves KC 85/3 and KC 85/4: Buzzer |
| Power | 25 W |
| Platform | K 1520 bus |
| Dimensions | 38.5 cm × 27.0 cm × 7.7 cm (15,2 in x 10.6 in x 2.8 in) |
| Mass | 4,1 kg |
Despite similar names, the KC 85 computers were not directly related to the KC 87 series produced by VEB Robotron-Meßelektronik "Otto Schön" Dresden.[9][10]
The availability of the KC 85 series for private customers was very limited. The computers were mostly used at educational institutions, organizations, and enterprises.