Z80 - NABU Personal Computer & Keyboard - Vintage New Old Stock - Retro Gaming 80's

In the News:

https://www.vice.com/en/article/ak3k34/2200-forgotten-vintage-computers-are-being-liberated-from-a-barn-in-massachusetts

There are several reasons why one might want to purchase a NABU Computer:
1.) To run the original 80's NABU Games, now available on servers*.
2.) To run the Programs (including CP/M), now available on servers*.
3.) To develop hardware (circuits) and/or software (code) for it.
4.) As a vintage computer collector.
5.) To appreciate its retro style and technology.
6.) As a present for one of the above.

*RS-422/USB converter required

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INTRODUCTION: This Z80 computer is very cost effective and provides a terrific platform for projects or products. It would also make a great educational platform for courses in microcomputer hardware/software embedded systems training. They were manufactured by a major brand name, and they look just great. They are new old stock and we offer them at an incredible price.

HISTORY: The NABU (Natural Access to Bi-directional Utilities) Computer was an early home computer system and a component of the NABU Network which operated from 1982 to 1985. The NABU Network was a closed network that operated over a cable TV system and was a precursor to the internet. The NABU Adaptor was the functional “modem” of the system that connected the NABU Computer to the NABU Network through a Cable TV provider. The computer could download applications and information from NABU Servers through the NABU Network. The download data rate was a very fast 6.4 megabytes per second (but upload was slow). It has been called, “The Internet – 10 years ahead of its time”. The NABU project was heavily subsidized by the Canadian government and at its peak NABU had 900 employees. The NABU Computer originally cost $950.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION: Here is the basic technical information concerning the features and functions of the Z80 NABU Computer. The system includes: Computer, Keyboard, Cables, User’s Manual, and on-line technical manual & schematics. (It has the same chipset resources as the ColecoVision Video Game System and the MSX Computer Architecture.)

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Motherboard
Z80A Microprocessor*
- running at 3.58MHz
- Interrupts: eight levels, maskable, mode 2 vectored
- 64K DRAM - (System RAM) eight HM4864P-2
- 4/8K EPROM - jumper select 4K or 8K
- comes with 4K EPROM (many routines)
- no operating system available
- develop code with an EPROM emulator
- may be de-selected by software
TMS9918 Video Display*
- Composite Color Video (NTSC Compatible)
- TV RF Modulator (Ch 3 or Ch 4)
- 16K DRAM - (Video RAM) eight TMS4116-15NL
- 256 x 92 Resolution (Graphics)
- 40 x 24 Text (TV Screen Readable)
- 32 Sprite Planes (Animation Patterns)
- 15 Colors (Plus Transparent)
AY-3-8910 Sound Generator*
- 3 Channels of Sound
- Sound Effects, Music Synthesis, Alarms
- TV Set Output (RF Modulator)
- External Amplifier Output (Line level)
TR1863 High Speed UART*
- EIA RS-422 protocol
- Full Duplex, 111 Kbits/sec
- Network Serial Interface
- 5-pin DIN connector
- can be modified for standard BAUD rates
- can be modified for RS-232/RS-485 protocols
D8251AC USART
- EIA RS-422
- Keyboard Serial Interface
- 6-pin DIN connector
SN74LS Series Logic Chips
- 32 Low Power Schottky Logic Chips

*Chip in Socket

Keyboard (17"x7"x2.5")
- charcoal gray, black keys
- durable plastic, full stroke keyboard
- 2-key rollover, auto repeat
- 2 DB-9 joystick connectors

Computer I/O
4 Card Slots
- 30 pin 0.1" SIP male header
- for user I/O Circuits or Cards
- contains bi-directional data lines
- contains 16 decoded addresses each
- other signals: control, clocks, power
Audio Output
- RCA phono connector
- 10 KOhm output impedance
- 1.5V p-p signal
Video Output
- RCA phono connector
- 75 Ohm 1V p-p, +/-6dB negative sync
- Composite Video (NTSC Compatible)
External RF Input
- Type-F connector
- 75 Ohm CATV cable input
- input signal for normal TV viewing
TV RF Output
- Type-F connector
- ASTEC UM 1285-8 Modulator
- 75 Ohm cable output
- Video and Audio are RF modulated
- Ch 3 or Ch 4 modulator switch
- software switchable output (TV/Computer)
Network Serial Interface
- 5-pin DIN connector
- RS-422 protocol, Full Duplex, 111 Kbits/sec
Keyboard Serial Interface
- 6-pin DIN connector
- serial RS-422 protocol
Printer Interface
- DB-15 connector
- 8-bit parallel printer port with handshaking

Power Supply
- 40 Watts AC/DC Switching Supply & Fan
- +5V@2.5A/+12V@2.0A/-12V@0.1A
- sealed and separate from motherboard
- quiet cooling fan

Enclosure (18.5"x11"x4")
- charcoal gray, with plastic front panel
- contains power supply & motherboard
- 4-screw, easy open, easy access cover
- Front: ON/OFF & reset switches
- Front: 4 LEDs, 3 are programmable
- Back: 7 connectors & 4 I/O panels
- all metal case, effective RF shielding