Cutters and/or Amstrad CPC (Colour personnel computer) a popular home computer of the 80's was based, on the widespread 8bit/4 MHz CCU Zilog Z80A. Were developed and manufactured they by the British company Amstrad, Verbreitung found them among other things in Germany, Great Britain, France and Spain.

The computers as "„complete package "“sold, contained were the actual computer inclusive integrated keyboard and memory drive assembly, furthermore the monitor (green or colored) and the power pack contained in the monitor (several rather short cables). Alternatively, over an adapter, the usual television was connectable. The manual can be called good and in detail, BASIC (in the ROM) and partially also CP/M (over disk) were inclusive. The selling price was ith D." R. comparably and/or under that of a Commodore C64, with which besides monitor and drive assembly were to be acquired as accessories.

The black, almost kultige housing was replaced later on most desks by the most beige PCs, appeared however later in other place (Steve Jobs' NEXT Cube, so far eligible for financing).

While with the Amstrad models the external plugs were set partially directly on the plate, similar to for instance the today's plug-in cards, with the better protected cutter models partial Centronics interfaces/plug had been blocked. The multicolored keyboards of the early Amstrad models changed cutters in the well-known "„serious "“light-grey. Amstrad took over this color design finally with the CPC 6128.

Technology, equipment and handling

The technology corresponded continuous to the conditions of the time, which was computer in most aspects the direct competitor Commodore C64 equally and partly even superior. Naturally the sales figures were somewhat smaller, the competitor were first started, besides was the CPC "„somewhat more serious "“, as some thought one first. Although the German accessory market did not achieve the same width and depth as in case of the C64, to which also individual components of the CPC (e.g. the sound chip) near-handed not completely, was equipment and achievement quite considerably.

The computer started within seconds in the provided Locomotive BASIC contained on the ROM. Further software could be reloaded over cartridge or disk. If the program offer was not sufficient, could be programmed in BASIC (detailed manual being attached), some quite good magazines offered short to long program listings for typing. With the settled disks the OS CP/M 2,2, and/or with the models with 128kB RAM also CP/M 3,0, could be reloaded further programs and programming languages, about LOGO and turbo Pascal was available (theoretically). Programming in machine language is possible by means of the usual PEEK/POKE/CALL instructions from the BASIC.

Programming took place in the dialogue on the command line, the quite comfortable BASIC interpreter exhibits a quite good range of instructions. Modules and functions are missing according to the time of origin almost completely, the automated treatment of the zeilennummerierten listing (new numbering, merging individual listing parts, etc.) are however possible.

Only the BASIC, but also "„the operating system "“(for assembler programmers) were not fast and almost equipped compared with other home computers. Thus among other things a complete Floating POINT library as well as a thought out interrupt system, which were usable partly even from BASIC, contained of the ROM of the CPC (so-called Events). The CPC was operated - contrary to the competition - in the interrupt mode 1, i.e. there was exactly one source of interrupt in the entire system, which was triggered during a screen layout 6-mal; of it the different Event queue was then fed.

To the separation of the cartridge drive assembly the inserted 3 - tariff floppy disk drive brought a substantial speed advantage. The disks were very stable, individually to Pappschubern and/or "„Jewel Cases "“were supplied, with a black plastic housing similarly the today's 3.5 - disks. Conceived the 3 - disk was as follow-up in the seventies of the usual 8 - disk invented by Hitachi Maxell, however by the market hardly one accepted. Except cutters/Amstrad as well as, under whom buying up became by Amstrad, later also Sinclair, this format only used by few, exotic computer manufacturers. The logical format of the 3 - disk was identical to that of the 8 - disks, thus double Sided, single Density, and supplied thus 360 KB (180KB for each side), whereby the disk had to be also physically turned for describing the second side (and could), there it single head drive assemblies (single Headed) concerned. Later one 3 - double side drive assemblies were only with related PCW computers, not however with the CPC, whereas disks of higher storage capacity (owing to changed formatting density) were quite possible. Although 3 - disk of the earlier 5 1/4 disk was superior, it failed finally. In the meantime were to be already found of Sony 3 1/2 disk thereby their market and be conquered with better achievement. By the technical relationship to 8 - the drive assembly - which became diskette CONTROLLER of the CPC originally even for such developed - the connection of the drive assembly corresponds to that of a PC-XT of floppy disk drive. Since the operating system AMSDOS can address however only one side of the disk, disks became not to be not moveable when connecting 3 1/2 - drive assemblies at the CPC mostly side switches with inserted, there itself 3 1/2 -. The medium prices were relatively high, for an individual disk with the retailer between 7 and 14 DM were required.

The different CPC models were among themselves compatible - an innovation at that time -. The software could be exchanged to a large extent. The CP/M operating system - a MS-DOS forerunner - was in fact industry standard. Unfortunately the enormous CP/M Softwareangebot was not directly accessible because of the diskette format; Internet entrances were rare and expensive, mailboxes arose straight only and were well-known and/or accessible the few.

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