Enterprise 128

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Enterprise 128

Type	Home computer
Released	1985
Discontinued	198?
Processor	Zilog Z80A @ 4 MHz
Memory	64KB / 128KB
OS	EXOS BASIC

Enterprise 128 rear view

Enterprise 128 right view

The Enterprise is a Zilog Z80 based home computer first released in 1985. There were two variants, the Enterprise 64 with 64 kB of RAM, and the Enterprise 128 with 128 kB. The machine was also known by the names DPC, Samurai, Oscar, Elan and Flan before the Enterprise name was finally chosen.

The machine had a Z80 CPU running at 4 MHz, 64 kB or 128 kB of RAM and 48 kB of ROM containing the EXOS operating system and BASIC. The case was unique for the time (in the UK at least) for containing both a full-sized membrane keyboard with programmable function keys, and a joystick.

The machine was specifically engineered for games, with a 672×256 pixel display and 256 colours per pixel (one byte per pixel being particularly easy to program). Sound was 4 channels, stereo. A graphics coprocessor called "Nick" and sound coprocessor called "Dave" (named after the designers Nick Toop, who had previously worked on the Acorn Atom, and Dave Woodfield) took the load off the central processor.

The machine came with a surprising array of connectors, far beyond what was common on home computers of the time. There was an RGB output, RS232/RS432 serial port, a Centronics printer port, two external joystick ports, a cassette interface, a ROM cartridge slot and an ordinary expansion port. (To save money, however, the connectors on the rear did not come with sockets. They simply exposed traces on the edge of the printed circuit board).

The BASIC ROM could even be replaced by a ROM which could emulate a ZX Spectrum, thus in theory allowing the Enterprise to run the existing catalogue of thousands of Spectrum games. Later, an external floppy drive became available, supporting CP/M programs.

[edit] Commercial failure

Despite being particularly powerful for the time, the machine was not a commercial success. The Amstrad CPC 464 was released before the Enterprise, was less powerful, but included a monitor and cassette recorder, and retailed for less. The CPC in fact had a strikingly similar colour scheme to the Enterprise, and it may be that Amstrad boss Alan Sugar had seen a prototype.

After the initial manufacturing run of 80,000 units it is not believed that any further units were made, making the Enterprise an extraordinarily collectible item in Europe. When Enterprise (the company) was wound up in Europe, 20,000 units were shipped to Hungary where it appears a strong user community formed. (Source: [1]).

[edit] Development

After the home computer market in the UK took off with the launch of the ZX Spectrum a Hong Kong trading company called Locumals decided to commission Intelligent Software in the UK to develop a home computer. The head of Intelligent Software was David Levy, an international chess player.

During development the machine had the codename DPC, standing for Damp Proof Course. The idea was to throw off potential competitors. This worked to an extent - at one point during development the plans were left on a bus.

Emulating Amstrad's AMSOFT, Entersoft was set up to ensure a steady supply of software for the new machine.

Although the machine was announced to the press in September 1983, it did not go on sale until April 1984, at which point some 80,000 machines were pre-ordered. Unfortunately machines did not ship until 1985, by which point the competitive environment was much worse for Enterprise.

A successor machine, the PW360, was developed in 1986 to compete directly against the Amstrad PCW 8256, but by this time the company was in severe financial difficulties and went under.

(Source: [2])