TK95 explained

Type:Home computer
Processor:Zilog Z80B
Memory:48 KB RAM
Os:Sinclair BASIC
Compatibility:ZX Spectrum
Predecessor:TK90X
Display:TV RF out (VHF channel 3), PAL-M, 256 x 192, 15 colours
Graphics:Custom IC
Sound:Beeper
Memory Card:Cassette tape
Baseprice:Cz$ 4559
TK 95
Cpuspeed:3.5 MHz
Manufacturer:Microdigital Eletrônica

The TK 95 microcomputer was a 1986 ZX Spectrum clone by Microdigital Eletrônica, a company located at São Paulo, Brazil.[1] [2] [3] [4] It was an evolution of the TK90X introduced the previous year.[5] [6] [7] [8]

The case was redesigned (copied from the Commodore Plus/4[9] [10]) and the keyboard was said to be "semi-professional" (according to the Brazilian manufacturer),[11] with the addition of some Sinclair BASIC commands that did not exist in the ZX Spectrum's basic set (for user-defined charactersUDG), and better compatibility with the original ZX Spectrum (compared to the TK90X).

Like the Spectrum, the machine had 48 kilobytes of RAM. Inside, the same processor: Z80A running at 3.58 MHz, a 16 KB ROM chip and some RAM chips (old dynamic rams 4116 and 4416). Microdigital did some reverse engineering to develop a chip with the functions of the original ULA from Sinclair/Ferranti. The modulator was tuned to VHF channel 3 and the TV system was PAL-M (60 Hz). The cassette interface ran at a faster speed than the Spectrum.

Only two peripherals were released by Microdigital a light pen interface and a parallel printer interface. Other companies in Brazil released clone versions of Interface 1 joysticks (Atari 2600-compatibles) and interfaces for 5¼" PC drives (360 KB). The games had questionable legality being close to copies of the originals and the fans of the ZX Spectrum computer in Brazil were counted in tens of thousands.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Veja . 1986 . Editora Abril . 82 . pt-BR.
  2. Book: Visão . 1986 . 11 . pt-BR.
  3. Book: Exame informática . 1986 . Editôra Abril . 10 . pt-BR.
  4. News: November 1986 . TK 95 chega ao mercado . 16 . Micro Sistemas .
  5. Web site: 1000 BiT - Computer's description . 2023-01-19 . www.1000bit.it.
  6. Web site: Tk-95 Microdigital . 2023-01-19 . www.old-computers.com.
  7. Web site: Sinclair Nostalgia Products - Sinclair Clones - MicroDigital . 2023-01-19 . www.interface1.net.
  8. Web site: Old . Vintage is The New . Collector's Corner: TK-95 – The Brazilian ZX Spectrum, but better . 2023-01-19 . Vintage is The New Old . en-US.
  9. Web site: Microdigital TK90x . 2013-03-14 . French . notre constructeur brésilien va faire un effort et sortira dans la foulée le TK95 à l'allure d'un Commodore Plus/4. . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20061125115700/http://www.silicium.org/divers/tk90x.htm . November 25, 2006 .
  10. Web site: A EVOLUÇÃO DOS COMPUTADORES . 2023-01-19 . www.ic.uff.br.
  11. Web site: Microdigital TK 95 . 2023-01-19 . anticuario-digital.com.ar.