Sharp X1

X1 (CZ-800C)
Sharp X1 Hu-BASIC start screen
ManufacturerSharp Corporation
TypeHome computer
Release date1982 (1982)
Introductory price¥155,000
Discontinued1988
MediaCompact Cassette or Floppy disk
Operating systemHu-BASIC, CP/M
CPUSharp Z80 A @ 4 MHz
Memory64 KB RAM, 4-48KB Video RAM, 6KB ROM
Removable storageCassette tape, Floppy discs
DisplayText: 40 / 80 x 25 characters; Graphics: 320 x 200 / 640 x 200; 8 colors
SoundGeneral Instrument AY-3-8910
or
Yamaha YM2149; YM2151 (later revisions)
InputKeyboard, Joysticks
Controller inputTwo joysticks
ConnectivityPrinter port, Joystick port, Audio out
PowerBuilt in PSU
PredecessorSharp MZ series
SuccessorX68000 series

The X1 (エックスワン, Ekkusuwan), sometimes called the Sharp X1[1] or CZ-800C[2], is a series of home computers released by Sharp Corporation from 1982 to 1988.[1] It is based on a Zilog Z80 CPU.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]

The RGB display monitor for the X1 had a television tuner, and a computer screen could be superimposed on TV.[1] All the TV functions could be controlled from a computer program. The character font was completely programmable (PCG) with 4-bit color, and was effectively used in many games. The entirety of the VRAM memory was mapped on to the I/O area, so it was controlled without bank switching. These features made the X1 very powerful for game software.

  1. ^ a b c "So much for miniaturization". St. Joseph News-Press / Gazette. October 30, 1982. pp. 6B.
  2. ^ a b "Sharp X1 (CZ-800C)". www.old-computers.com. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
  3. ^ "Sharp X1-C (CZ-801C)". www.old-computers.com. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
  4. ^ "Sharp X1-D (CZ-802C)". www.old-computers.com. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
  5. ^ "Sharp X1-CK (CZ-804C)". www.old-computers.com. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
  6. ^ "Sharp X1-CS (CZ-803C)". www.old-computers.com. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
  7. ^ "Sharp X1 Turbo Z III". www.old-computers.com. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
  8. ^ "Sharp X1 Twin CZ-830C". The Centre for Computing History. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
  9. ^ Sean (22 May 2020). "Sharp X1 D". Japanese Vintage Computer Collection. Retrieved 2022-10-21.