CCE MC-1000

The MC-1000 Color Computer^[1] was a home computer produced in Brazil by CCE (Indústria e Comércio de Componentes Eletrônicos)^[2][1] and released in February 1985.^[3][4][5][6]

MC-1000 Color Computer

Manufacturer	CCE (Indústria e Comércio de Componentes Eletrônicos)
Type	Home computer
Release date	1985
Introductory price	Cr$ 1.1 million
Discontinued	1986
Media	Cassette tape
Operating system	BASIC
CPU	Zilog Z80A @ 3.57 MHz
Memory	16 KB RAM (expandable to 64 KB)
Display	32×16 text in 8 colors; 128×64, 128×96, 128×192, 256×192 graphics with 2 background and 3 foreground colors
Graphics	MC6847
Sound	AY-3-8910
Input	Keyboard

The machine shares some hardware heritage with the GEM 1000/Charlemagne 999 and the Rabbit RX83.^{[7][8][9][10]} Like the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, BASIC commands were typed by pressing a single key.

It was not popular due to outdated technical specifications and lack of compatibility with established 8-bit systems of the time.^[11]

History

The GEM 1000 Junior Computer, also known as Charlemagne 999 in Belgium and sold by Vidéo Direct International (VDI),^[7][12] was a low cost toy home computer for children from 5 years upwards, produced by Taiwan based Gem International Corporation and introduced in 1983.^[13] 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.^[14][15]

The GEM 1000 had 16 KB of RAM. BASIC commands were typed by pressing a single key using a dialect similar to Applesoft BASIC.^[13] The Charlemagne 999 used French instead of English keywords.^[7]

The Rabbit RX83, produced by Rabbit Computers of Hong Kong 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. It was launched at the 1983 edition of the Consumer Electronics Show with a price of just US$99.^[16][17][18]

The MC-1000 Color Computer was similar to these machines but released years later in 1985,^{[13][9][10][19]} when the Brazilian market was already saturated with cheap machines offering similar features. As such, it did not attract much attention even though it was touted as a "Brazilian computer".

The fact that it was not a clone of popular 8-bit systems (like the Apple, TRS-80 or the Sinclair Spectrum) did not contribute to its popularity.^[11] In addition to poor design and having a chiclet keyboard, the MC-1000 had only 16 KB of RAM which was small by the standards of the time.

The machine was commercialized up to 1986.^[10]

Technical specifications

• CPU: Zilog Z80A, 3.57 MHz^[2]
• Memory: 16 KB RAM expandable to 64 KB; 8 KB ROM; up-to 6 KB VRAM^[2]
• Keyboard: 50-key rubber Chiclet keyboard
• Display: Motorola MC6847^[20] (32×16 text in 8 colors; 128×64, 128×96, 128×192, 256×192 graphics with 2 background and 3 foreground colors)
• Sound: AY-3-8910^[20] (3 voices and white noise)
• Ports: cassette recorder interface (1200 bit/s), TV output connector, joystick

Emulation

Like similar early home computers, the MC-1000 Color Computer can be emulated on modern machines.^[21][22]

Video games

10 games are known to exist for CCE MC-1000, all released in Brazil.^[23]

• Aventura
• Batalha Aeronaval
• Batalha de Matemática
• Guerra de Robos
• Invasores do Espaço
• Jipe de Guerra
• Jogo da Forca I
• Jogo da Forca II
• Jogo de Memória
• Othello