CCE MC-1000

The CCE MC-1000 was an obscure Home computer produced in Brazil by CCE (Comércio de Componentes Eletrônicos).[1] Not much is known about the machine, but it seems clear that it owned its heritage to the Belgian GEM 1000, and the Rabbit RX83 which were systems produced in Hong-Kong by the firm "Rabbit computers”.[2] It was launched a year after the MC 4000, an Apple 2 clone.[3]

CCE MC-1000
TypeHome computer
Release date1985
Introductory priceUnknown
MediaCassette tape
Operating systemBASICUS
CPUZilog Z80A @ 3.57 MHz
Memory16KB RAM (expandable to 64KB)
InputKeyboard

History

The MC-1000 was released In Brazil, in a market already saturated with cheap machines with very similar features. As such, it did not attract much attention even though it was touted as a "Brazilian computer". The fact that it was not a "clone" of similar 8-bit systems (like the Apple, the TRS-80 or even the Sinclair Spectrum) certainly did not contribute to its popularity.[4]

In addition to the poor design and "Chiclet keyboard", the MC-1000 had only 16 KB of RAM (small, even by the standards of 1983). Like the Sinclair Spectrum, the BASIC commands (which were similar to the Apple IIs Applesoft BASIC) were typed by pressing a single key.

GEM 1000 and Rabbit RX83 "clones/predecessors"

The GEM 1000 Junior Computer, also known as the French Charlemagne 999 was an even more obscure (than the MC-1000), low cost toy Home computer for children from 5 years upwards, produced in Taiwan by Rabbit Computers of Hong Kong. It was part of a family consisting of GEM 1000, GEM 2000, GEM 3000 and GEM 4000 systems.[5] In addition to the poor design and "Chiclet keyboard", the GEM 1000 had only 16 KB of RAM (small, even by the standards of 1983). Like the Sinclair Spectrum the commands of the BASIC (similar to the Apple 2's Applesoft BASIC) were typed by pressing a single key. The French Charlemagne 999 system used a version of this BASIC that used French instead of English keywords. The Rabbit RX83 had such little memory, just 2K, that many of the video modes of its "clones" could not be used — it had just the 32×16 8 colors text mode, and 128×64 graphics with 2 background and 3 foreground colors. It was launched at the 1983 edition of the Consumer Electronics Show costing just US$99.[6][7]

Technical specifications (MC-1000)
  • CPU: Zilog Z-80, 3.57 MHz
  • Memory: 16 kio RAM, expandable to 64 kio RAM; 8 kio ROM up-to 6 kio VRAM
  • Keyboard: 50-key rubber Chiclet keyboard
  • Display: based on Motorola MC6847 32×16 text (8 colors), 128×64, 128×96, 128×192, 256×192 graphics (2 background, 3 foreground colors)
  • Sound: General Instruments PSG AY-3-8910, 3 voices, + white noise
  • Ports: interface cassette recorder 1200BPS, TV output connector, joystick
  • Hardware sprites: None

References
  1. da Costa, Emerson José Silveira. "CCE MC1000". Google. Retrieved 2016-03-05.
  2. "CCE MC 1000". Old computers. Retrieved 2013-12-27.
  3. Rogério, Carlos. "Museu da Computação e Informática". MCI. Retrieved 2013-12-27.
  4. "CCE MC 1000–1985". GamePlayerSpecial. Retrieved 2013-12-27.
  5. "GEM 1000 Junior Computer / Charlemagne 999". Old computers. Archived from the original on 2010-06-05. Retrieved 2013-12-27.
  6. Creative Computing, September 1983, Volume 9, No. 9, p. 202. Retrieved on March 20 of 2008.
  7. Release announcement and photo, RX83 in Bally Alley. Retrieved on March 12 of 2008
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