EXL 100 explained

Type:	Home computer
Developer:	Exelvision
Generation:	8-bit
Releasedate:	France:
Price:	3,190 FF
Lifespan:	1984
Unitssold:	9000 used in schools
Media:	Cassette tape, cartridges, floppy disk (optional)
Os:	None (ExelBasic on cartridge)
Cpu:	TMS 7020
Memory:	34 KB RAM, 4 KB ROM
Graphics:	TMS 3556
Successor:	Exeltel
Sound:	TMS 5220 (with speech synthesis in French)
Display:	40 x 25 character text mode, 320 x 250 pixel graphics mode, 8 colors
Cpuspeed:	4.9 MHz

The EXL 100 is a computer released in 1984^[1] by the French brand Exelvision, based on the TMS 7020^[2] microprocessor from Texas Instruments.^{[3] [4]} This was an uncommon design choice (at the time almost all home computers either used 6502 or Z80 microprocessors) but justified by the fact that the engineering team behind the machine (Jacques Palpacuer, Victor Zebrouck and Christian Petiot) came from Texas instruments.^[5] It was part of the government Computing for All plan and 9000 units were used in schools.^[1]

The design is unusual compared with similar machines of the time, as it had a separate central processing unit. Two keyboards are available: one with rubber keys and another with a more standard touch. Keyboard and joystick were not connected to the central unit by a cable but by infrared link, and are battery powered.^{[6] [3] [7]} Many extensions were available: modem, floppy disk drive and a 16 KB CMOS RAM powered by an integrated lithium battery.Its TMS 5220 sound processor was capable of French speech synthesis, another unusual feature.

The machine came with a BASIC version on cartridge named ExelBasic.^{[8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14]}

Specifications

• Release price: 3,190 French francs
• CPU: TMS 7020^[15] at 4.9 MHz^[16]
• Graphics chip: TMS 3556^[17] (40 x 25 character text mode, 320 x 250 pixel graphics mode, 8 colors)
• Sound: TMS 5220 (with speech synthesis in French)^[16]
• Storage: cartridge port, cassettes, optional floppy disk drive
• Memory: 34 KB RAM (2 KB RAM + 32 KB Shared VRAM), 4 to 32 KB ROM^[16]
• Variants: A version with an integrated V23 modem named Exeltel was released in 1986

Notes and References

1. Web site: Exelvision EXL-100 | nIGHTFALL Blog / RetroComputerMania.com.
2. Web site: Texas Instruments TMS7020NL . 2022-11-30 . www.cpu-world.com.
3. Web site: OLD-COMPUTERS.COM : The Museum. www.old-computers.com.
4. Web site: Web8bits, Exelvision EXL 100. www.web8bits.com.
5. Web site: Exelvision - « L'informatique facile à vivre ! ». www.ti99.com.
6. Web site: Exelvision EXL-100: storia, informazioni e fotografie. myretrocomputing.altervista.org.
7. Web site: Exelvision informations techniques . 2022-11-30 . www.silicium.org.
8. Web site: Exelvision - Exelbasic . 2022-11-30 . www.ti99.com.
9. Web site: Exelvision - Le langage Exelbasic . 2022-11-30 . www.ti99.com.
10. Web site: EXELBASIC EXELVISION EXL100 FREEWARES PROJECTS . 2022-11-30 . miniordi.free.fr.
11. Web site: Exelbasic + . 2022-11-30 . dcexel.free.fr.
12. Web site: Initiation à L'EXELBASIC Vol. 3, Exelvision EXL 100 cass. by Exelvision (198?) . 2022-11-30 . www.arcade-history.com.
13. Web site: Motoschifo . ExelBASIC - MAME software . 2022-11-30 . adb.arcadeitalia.net . it.
14. Web site: 1000 BiT - Computer's description . 2022-11-30 . www.1000bit.it.
15. Web site: Texas Instruments 7000 microcontroller family . 2022-11-30 . www.cpu-world.com.
16. Web site: 1000 BiT - Computer's description. www.1000bit.it.
17. Book: TMS 3556 Video Display Processor . Texas Instruments.