To our knowledge, the MZ-2000 was never regularly exported outside Japan.
A "16 Bit Bord Kit" was sold in April 1983 to expand the 8-bit computer to a 16-bit system. Price: $327.
Interesting about this model was that when it powered up, the user would have to wait some time for BASIC to load from a cassette tape into RAM. (I don't recall the version number) Loading was an automated process, which took 1 to 2 minutes. If there wasn't correct install tape in the cassette deck when it is powered on, the cassette player would open up asking for proper install tape.
This was one of MZ-2000's unique features. (Personally I thought this action was robotic and cool, extremely advanced in technology at the time in my mind. Just to see the computer "ask" me to put the tape into the player, I used to keep the tape out on purpose every time I switched it on. My friends seemed to be impressed at the sight) And the power switch was in the back of the unit, which I think was typical of personal computers then.
Of course, computers did not have internal hard disc drives back then, so whenever power is turned off the computer would lose all its data in memory. Anything which wasn't recorded into tape is gone at that point.
I used to spend alot of time playing with music command in BASIC. MZ-2000 was capable of playing back maximum of three sound parts simultaneously. (nothing more than plain old "beep" sound with pitch variations.) There were, I think, three octaves of chromatic notes, which could be accessed by codes like "C1D1E2+C2..." Compared to today's sound editors the method was very clumsy for musicians to make use. I remember it challenged my patience quite a bit. :)
(Editor's note: This comment also apply to the Sharp MZ-80B)
主要参数编辑本段回目录
NAME | MZ 2000 |
MANUFACTURER | Sharp |
TYPE | Professional Computer |
ORIGIN | Japan |
YEAR | 1982 |
BUILT IN LANGUAGE | Unknown |
KEYBOARD | Full-stroke keyboard with numeric keypad |
CPU | Zilog Z80 A |
SPEED | 4 MHz |
RAM | 64 KB |
VRAM | Optional: 48 KB |
ROM | 2 KB |
TEXT MODES | 40 X 25 / 80 x 25 |
GRAPHIC MODES | 320 x 200 / 640 X 200 |
COLORS | 8 |
SOUND | one channel |
I/O PORTS | Expansion bus, RS-232 |
BUILT IN MEDIA | Tape recorder |
OS | Unknown |
POWER SUPPLY | Built-in Power Supply Unit |
PRICE | 248,000 yen (Japan, 1982) |