Philips P2000

The P2000 desktop series was to gain a foothold on the Videopac G7000 the first real attempt by Philips on the home computer market. In March 1980, the two versions P2000M and P2000T were published.

The main difference between the two versions were in the video interface. The T version, which was intended for home and educational use, could be connected to a TV or to an RGB monitor. The video chip this version was a chip for Teletext, which was probably relatively cheap, but the graphics capabilities but very restricted. The more professional M version had an additional 80 characters card, so you could connect it to a monochrome monitor. This version was distributed with a monitor, two 5.25 " floppy drives found space in the housing. Hereby also CP / M could be run as an operating system. There was no built-in programming, since the ROM of 4 kB, only a basic system and some inputs & output routines included. Two places for plug-in modules that allowed the computer to ROM modules (slot 1 ) or interface cards (slot 2), such as a modem or a printer interface to expand. a BASIC was retrofitted over such a plug-in module be. Due to the different video interfaces, the T and the M version was not compatible 100 % with each other.

Programs and data could be stored in a built-in mini - disk cartridge with a capacity of 42 KB. This drive was seen by the user as a floppy disk drive with automatic search for a program ( CLOAD command) and determination of the amount of free memory ( CSAVE command). A command allowed to display the contents of a cassette.

The P2000 had no great success in Europe, except in the Netherlands where they came from as well. The production of computer took place in Austria. A certain distribution found the computer in Dutch and German schools.

Specifications

  • Year of publication: 1980
  • Manufacturer: Philips
  • Processor: Zilog Z80 2.5MHz
  • Operating system: own CP / M
  • Text: 40 x 24
  • Colors: 7
  • Sound: mono ( internal)
  • Interfaces: 2 x plug-in module, RS232, RGB, RF modulator
ROM cartridge Minicassette
647390
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