alt@ecsvax.UUCP (03/06/84)
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* JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT THE TI 99/4A WAS DEAD *
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* CORCOMP'S PHOENIX *
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CORCOMP has distributed specifications for their upcoming 99/64 (PHOENIX).
This is an effort to generate some preproduction excitement. If the product is
half as good as the specifications published be CORCOMP, it will be some
machine.
The main console and disk drives of the 99/64 are housed in a module with a
detachable keyboard (a la IBM). RAM memory is 64K, expandable in 64K blocks to
a megabyte. The main console has a 99/4A compatible slot plus a 16-bit slot
and a coprocessor slot. The disk controller is built-in, double-density, and
the disk operating system is claimed to be able to read ANY disk format
recorded at 300 RPM.
Other standard built-in items are RS232 serial and parallel ports configured
as RS232/3 and 4, and PIO/2. Onboard software is included for Word Proces-
sing w/Spell Checker, a Spread Sheet, and a Data Base (File) system. Text
will be adjustable up to 132 columns by 25 lines. This is accomplished with
two onboard VDP chips, one being for Hi-res RGB monitor. A light pen, text
to speech synthesizer, real-time clock with date, Atari-type and Apple-type
game controller ports, and full-screen editing are also standard.
Options include 4 special-purpose detachable keyboards, a mouse, speech
recognition, modem/terminal emulation, a hard disk controller, a video
controller, PASCAL, LOGO, FORTH, and a macro assembler. In addition, CORCOMP
also promises an 8088 Cartridge (IBM/Microsoft DOS), a Z80 cartridge
(CPM 2.2), and a 6502 cartridge (Apple/Atari/Commodore). CORCOMP also says
the Japanese standard MSX operating system will be built-in.
The 14-page product description sheet also details the E.E.BASIC (Enhanced,
Extended Basic) which is standard on the PHOENIX. This Basic includes a
built-in compiler. The graphics and sound enhancements they detail are
truly impressive. Additionally, output and input commands have been ex-
panded, and file options and string handling have been significantly im-
proved.
All of this and CORCOMP states the PHOENIX will be 100% compatible with
99/4A programs, cartridges, the PE box, and peripherals. They accomplish
this with a 99105A CPU which evidently has a compatible and expanded
instruction set.