The Advantech I.Q. Unlimited with BASIC and a Z80 CPU.
The 8-Bit Guy・2 minutes read
The IQ Unlimited computer by V-Tech, marketed as powerful and affordable, featured 12 built-in programs and lacked a disk drive connection, making it suitable for home use but limiting its capabilities for more complex tasks. Despite competitive pricing and functionality compared to other computers of the time, the system's reliance on limited software and outdated technology led to its eventual failure as a computing platform in 1991.
Insights
- V-Tech, a company known for producing electronic devices like the Laser 128 and Laser XT, created the IQ Unlimited computer, marketed as a comprehensive and affordable solution for home computer buyers with its 12 built-in programs.
- Despite its competitive price and functionality compared to other computers of the time, the IQ Unlimited's reliance on solely built-in programs, limited programming capabilities, and eventual discounted prices led to its failure as a computing platform in 1991, highlighting the importance of software availability and technological advancements in the market.
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Recent questions
What is the IQ Unlimited computer?
A home computer with 12 built-in programs.
What programming language does the IQ Unlimited use?
BASIC with text-based commands.
What components make up the IQ Unlimited system board?
Z-80 clone chip, pseudo-static RAM, and a 4-bit microcontroller.
How does the IQ Unlimited compare to other computers of its time?
Competitive price point and functionality.
What features does the IQ Unlimited computer lack?
Disk drive connection and graphics/sound capabilities.
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Summary
00:00
V-Tech's IQ Unlimited: Affordable Home Computer
- The IQ Unlimited computer by Advantech was actually produced by Video Technology Electronics, known as V-Tech, a company with a history of making various electronic devices.
- V-Tech had previously created the Laser 128, a clone of the Apple II, and the Laser XT, a PC clone, among other products.
- The IQ Unlimited computer is marketed as complete, powerful, simple, and affordable, designed to address all concerns of home computer buyers.
- The computer boasts 12 built-in programs as a key selling point, aiming to cater to families without the need for additional software.
- The IQ Unlimited features an ON/OFF switch, composite video output, power input, RF output for TVs, a parallel printer port, and a mysterious port possibly for ROM cartridges.
- The computer lacks a disk drive connection, relying solely on the 12 built-in programs and an internal speaker for sound output.
- Sold in department stores during the 1991 Christmas season, the IQ Unlimited was priced at $200 and advertised with 64K of memory.
- Compared to other computers of the time, like the Packard Bell 386 PC and the Amiga 500, the IQ Unlimited offered a competitive price point and functionality.
- The computer's built-in programs include a word processor, spell review, calculator, mind challenge, word zappers, BASIC tutor, and a 200-year calendar.
- The BASIC programming language on the IQ Unlimited is limited to text-based commands, lacking graphics and sound capabilities, making complex programs like Tetris impossible to create.
13:05
Grayscale Image Conversion on 1991 Computer
- Converting an image to grayscale using a paint program resembles how a Commodore 64 would appear on a grayscale display, showcasing vertical stripes for artifact colors.
- The computer system in discussion, from 1991, contains a Z-80 clone chip running at 6 MHz, a pseudo-static RAM of 128K, and a 4-bit microcontroller with 512K ROM and 16K RAM, likely managing the composite video display.
- The system board also includes a shift register for the parallel printer port and a mysterious V-tech branded chip, possibly a ROM chip, alongside other unidentified components.
- Despite being priced competitively with the Commodore 64, the system's limited software availability (only 12 programs) and eventual discounted prices suggest its failure as a computing platform based on an 8-bit processor in 1991.
