Powertran PSI Comp80 'The Scientific Computer' Wireless World 1979-80 RARE z80.

Never been assembled, believed to have sat since 1979/80 in the box. In great condition!

Obviously quite a lot of work required.

I am not an expert on these I am afraid, but did find an older listing with some useful information -

As far as I am aware it was the first personal computer to have a MATHS COPROCESSOR. A very rare, British designed computer, which was sold as a kit (Sold in the 100's) and very very few survive to this day.

This computer was designed by my physics teacher, Dr John Adams MSC, and was based on a series of articles he wrote for WIRELESS WORLD, 'The Scientific Computer' written 1979-80. What makes this machine unique is that despite having a Z80 processor, it also featured a MATHS COPROCESSOR to speed up all the higher math functions, and to reduce the amount of ROM space for the RPN 4K BASIC interpreter. The chip doing the maths is a MM57109. The complete KIT, sold for £275 + VAT (only @8% in those days!)

Datasheet for the math coprocess can be found here:- http://www.swtpc.com/mholley/MP_N/MP_N_AssemblyInstructions.pdf

and a overview, here:- http://www.classiccmp.org/cini/pdf/re/1977/RE1977-Nov-Pg80.pdf

The computer is in it's original steel case, as was supplied in the kit by POWERTRAN Electronics. ( This company was also famous for excellent kit/DIY synthesizers , and another innovative British designed 16bit computer, the CORTEX, which featured colour graphics, Sprites, polyphonic sound and based on the 16bit Texas Instruments tms9995, see  http://www.powertrancortex.com/hardware/Cortex_1984-08_(Aug).pdf

Useful links

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghmr---ekM0   <really weird video

http://vintagecomputers.site90.net/comp80/

http://www.i-programmer.info/history/machines/107-the-age-of-the-big-board-computers.html?start=1

http://zonadepruebas.org/backup/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=788

http://www.swtpc.com/mholley/MP_N/MP_N_AssemblyInstructions.pdf

http://vintagecomputers.site90.net/comp80/Part_1_Apr_79.pdf

http://www.classiccmp.org/cini/pdf/re/1977/RE1977-Nov-Pg80.pdf

Thanks for looking!

Would prefer collection from Basingstoke but can post fully insured for about £100 if required.