CompuMate
The Spectra Video Compumate SV -010 (translated: "Computer Companion " ) was an extension of the Atari 2600 game console and added them to a full-fledged home computer. It was manufactured by Spectra Video and was first presented in January 1983 in Las Vegas at the Consumer Electronics Show.
Description
It consisted of a plug-in module with cables and a joystick, connected to a cable membrane keyboard, which recalled the keyboard the game console G7000. The keyboard could be put together with the Atari and so the whole thing was a stable unit. This worked at Atari 2600 Junior not because it had a smaller housing. The plug-in module fitted into the cartridge slot of the Atari. For this module, two cable with joystick connector emerged that had to be connected to the joystick ports. Compumate had an interface for a tape recorder to load and save programs and data.
Due to the Atari 2600, the home computer was equipped with a 6507 processor with a clock frequency of 1.18 MHz. In the plug-in module about 1.75 Kbytes of free memory for programming and application data for internal programs were available. The limited memory handed rush for about 100 BASIC-Z, which made serious programs impossible.
The 16 -KB ROM was equipped with a rudimentary BASIC. It knew shortcuts that could be entered by pressing a button ( Basic tokens). The text mode was limited to 10 lines with 12 characters each. Integrates were a drawing program and a music program. With the drawing of the user could draw pictures in a resolution of 40 × 40 pixels and put together multiple images to create an animation. The music program allowed composing melodies. This required the pitch of each tone and tone duration is entered into a list in working on the system sequentially.
Miscellaneous
The Compumate was offered in Germany by the source - shipping under the house brand " universe ".
From Atari Atari_2600_Basic_Programming the module was offered, far behind the Compumate remained in nature and scope.
The Compumate home computer expansion is now a sought-after and expensive collector's item.