SVI-738

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Spectravideo SVI-738 X'Press

Type	Home computer
Released	1985
Processor	Zilog Z80A @ 3.6 MHz
Memory	64 KB (+16 KB video memory)
Operating system	MSX BASIC MSX-DOS CP/M 2.2
Base price	399.99 Pound sterlings

The Spectravideo SVI-738 X'Press MSX is a home computer MSX1 compatible manufactured by Spectravideo at 1985. Popularly known as MSX 1.5 due to incorporate as default major possible extensions of time (80-colums display, serial RS-232, built-in 3.5" floppy drive, CP/M 2.2 and MSX-DOS 1.0 as OS; SVI always distinguished himself from other manufacturers to offer more benefits, such as CP/M or Numeric Keypads; this model is the best equip of SVI). Along with teh Sony HB-501 (which includes cassette), are the only attempts to make a MSX portable computer. Spectravideo delivery with a carrying case where the whole team is already in the original box, and the disk of MSX-DOS and CP/M 2.2, which provides access to one of the greatest libraries of software of the moment.

Is marketed mainly in Europe. In Poland is marketed by Centralna Składnica Harcerska at a price of 590 000 Polish złotys (the average salary for two months at that time), which equips several schools (in fact the only team MSX is known there). In Finland also equip several schools. This version of SVI-738 was sold with altered keyboard and ROM in order to provide Polish specific characters. In Spain is initially distribuited by Indescom until the creation of the Spanish subsidiary. In United Kingdom is sold at 399.95 Pound sterlings. Also are sold at USA.

Along with the disk drive and integrated serial port, which stands out most is the use of computer graphics chip of MSX-2, although the use of only 16 KB of VRAM allows you to add only mode of 80 columns. This and bugs in first models desing (the computer have bugs in the initial ROM disk, and cartridges from Konami chip SCC-sound do not work or have bad sound) motivates users in several countries to convert this in a MSX2 and MSX2+. Spectravideo never exploded this business, dedicated to the market for PC compatible.