 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (November 2022) |
 KC 85/4 | |
| Also known as | "Kleincomputer" |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | VEB Mikroelektronik "Wilhelm Pieck" Mühlhausen |
| Type | Microcomputer |
| Release date | HC 900: Q2 1984 KC 85/2: Q2 1985 KC 85/3: Q2 1986 KC 85/4: Q2 1988[1] |
| Lifespan | 6 years |
| Introductory price | KC 85/3: 1700 M[2] KC 85/4: 4100 M[3] |
| Discontinued | HC 900: 1985 KC 85/2: 1986 KC 85/3: 1988 KC 85/4: Q3 1990[1] |
| Units sold | ~45.000[4] |
| Media | Cassette tape, floppy disk, expansion modules |
| Operating system | CAOS [de] (4 KB) KC 85/3 and KC 85/4: KC-BASIC [de] interpreter in ROM |
| CPU | U880 (Zilog Z80 clone) |
| Memory | 32 KB KC 85/4: 64+64 KB (DRAM) |
| Display | 320×256 pixels, per 4 × 8 pixels: 1 of 16 foreground and 1 of 8 background colors KC 85/4: more colors |
| Graphics | series 7400 ICs |
| Sound | 2x square wave, 8 volumes, 6 octaves KC 85/3 and KC 85/4: Buzzer |
| Power | 25 W |
| Platform | K 1520 bus |
| Dimensions | 38.5 cm × 27.0 cm × 7.7 cm (15,2 in x 10.6 in x 2.8 in) |
| Mass | 4,1 kg |
The KC 85[5] ('KC' meaning "Kleincomputer", or "small computer") were models of microcomputers (KC 85/2, KC 85/3 and KC 85/4) built in East Germany by VEB Mikroelektronik "Wilhelm Pieck" Mühlhausen. The first model in the series, the HC 900, originally designed as a home computer and introduced in 1984, was renamed to KC 85/2 in 1985 to de-emphasize its use as consumer good.[6][7][8]
Despite similar names, the KC 85 computers were not directly related to the KC 87 series produced by VEB Robotron-Meßelektronik "Otto Schön" Dresden.[9][10]
The availability of the KC 85 series for private customers was very limited. The computers were mostly used at educational institutions, organizations, and enterprises.
- ^ a b "KC 85 Timeline (German)". mpm-kc85.de. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
- ^ heimcomputer.de: RFT KC 85/3 queried on 6 March 2023.
- ^ heimcomputer.de: RFT KC 85/4 queried on 6 March 2023.
- ^ "Kleincomputer aus Mühlhausen (German)". robotrontechnik.de. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- ^ "The KC85 Computers". floooh.github.io. Retrieved 2022-11-24.
- ^ "Die Kleincomputer der DDR". robotron-net.de. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- ^ "www.robotrontechnik.de - Die Geschichte der Computertechnik der DDR". www.robotrontechnik.de. Retrieved 2022-11-24.
- ^ Gruppe, Bcher (July 2010). Kombinat Mikroelektronik: Kleincomputer Kc 85|2-4, Kombinat Mikroelektronik Erfurt, Schachcomputer in Der Ddr, U61000, Kc Compact, Mme U80701 (in German). General Books LLC. ISBN 978-1-159-10174-9.
- ^ "www.robotrontechnik.de - Die Geschichte der Computertechnik der DDR". www.robotrontechnik.de. Retrieved 2022-11-24.
- ^ "KC 85/1 - Z 9001 Robotron". www.old-computers.com. Retrieved 2022-11-24.