Talk:Jupiter ACE
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Wasn't the Jupiter ACE identical in hardware to the ZX81, but for the ROM contents?
- I think this was true of the board architecture, though not for the case and keyboard.
(btw. I still possess a Jupiter ACE, but it hasn't been used for over 20 years). DFH 18:51:30, 2005-09-08 (UTC)
- The architecture is the same, not the actual hardware. This means that it uses the same tecnology but not the same hardware. The ROM is completely diferent, as it uses FORTH instead of BASIC. Besides that it has only 1K for programming instead the 3K of the ZX81 and another 2k for the Video system (like the ZX-81) giving a misleading total of 3K RAM.
- However more evolved programs can be made in this 1K because the FORTH implementation occupies less space than BASIC (4x)... it is also faster than basic (10x) making it a wonderfull piece of hardware for embedded systems (if it were cheaper to produce and if it had 4k instead of 1k).
- ~
- I had implemented a Conways LIFE program using the full screen as matrix and still had plenty space to spare. And it was fast: a screen would be updated in a second and a half. Soon changed the inner routine (and just that one as it was the bootleneck) to machine code and then had to create a delay between screens to enjoy the evolution.
- ~
- Lovely machine! The down part: it should had been made with the initial 4k programming space as standard (it was ready to them by design) OR it should be a ZX-81 with just diferent ROMs (cheaper).But the most disturbing non-economical flaw was the keyboard: Mine is destroid due to loss of condutiveness - some Keys do not work anymore.
- [Dutra de Lacerda]
