Microcomputers

Introduction

While most of us have our own computer (or two), back in the 70s and 80s computers were just starting to become common in the household and many of them took the form of what then was known as a 'microcomputer', even though the term 'personal computer', as commonly used today, would also have been correct. Examples of microcomputers include the Amstrad CPC 464, BBC Micro, Commodore 64, Dragon 32, TRS-80, many of which are covered on this page, along with less well known systems, including computers from Sharp and Tangerine.

These microcomputers typically took the form of a single unit (most often rectangular in shape) containing all the fundamental parts of a computer (CPU, memory, I/O interface components, etc.) as well as a built-in keyboard. To use the microcomputer, it was connected to a TV or monitor (most usually a TV as that was what most people had and could afford at the time). Some microcomputers could also be connected to a cassette player or floppy drive for storage, a printer, hard drive, or even a network.

Most of these microcomputers had a very simple operating system and built-in BASIC interpreter, allowing the user to either type in programs or load ready made ones. And while the majority of the microcomputers supported graphics as well as text, the even older machines did not have any menus, icons or a desktop environment at all. The user had to type commands into the microcomputer very much like in the days of DOS that older PC users will remember. Imagine paying loads of money for a microcomputer and being faced with a flashing cursor!

While microcomputers may seem very primitive by today's standards, and certainly they are, at the time they were a big breakthrough in the computing world. No longer could computers only be used by professionals and university students but now they were also available to ordinary people. No doubt the microcomputers encouraged many people to learn programming or at least the basics of how a typical computer works.

There is still a big interest in microcomputers today and people like myself collect these old computers, fix them, update them and use them. Hobbyists have been able to do things with microcomputers that were once not thought possible (such as overcome their apparent technical limitations) and new hardware and software has been produced to further extend their capabilities or make them easier to use.

We have seen recently new hardware releases of classic systems (in emulated form) such as The C64, as well as new (unofficial) releases of software for these old systems which for many may be a fulfilment of a childhood wish. The Raspberry Pi is in some ways a modern microcomputer but at a fraction of the cost of a retro computer that can emulate the old systems as well as be used as a general desktop and programming platform.

You can learn more about the many different types of microcomputers, both original and modern versions, as well as the software and accessories to use with the old and new, by following the various links on this page. You will also find more general information which may be useful for a wide range of computers.