KC87

The Robotron KC 87, fully known as the Kleincomputer robotron KC 87 (''KC'' standing for ''Kleincomputer'', lit. "small computer"), was an 8-bit home computer released in 1986 and produced in East Germany by the VEB Robotron-Meßelektronik "Otto Schön" Dresden, part of the Kombinat Robotron.

The first model in the series, the Robotron Z 9001, was introduced in 1984 and renamed Robotron KC 85/1 in 1985. Despite similar names, the Robotron home computers were not directly related to the KC 85 series produced by the VEB Mikroelektronik " Wilhelm Pieck" Mühlhausen.

The availability of the Robotron KC series for private customers was very limited. The computers were mostly used at educational institutions, organizations, and enterprises. Therefore, the extracurricular use of home computers was often allowed for students at institutions and organizations.

Design

The Robotron KC series used an U880 microprocessor, a clone of the Zilog Z80, which was clocked at 2.5 MHz. The keyboard was integrated into every machine. Software could be loaded from cassette tapes; a separate cassette deck was needed for doing so. All models featured module slots for up to four expansion modules, which allowed expansion of the hardware, such as by upgrading the RAM or allowing it to connect to a printer, but also included applications and programming languages. The KC 87 had the BASIC interpreter in ROM, (in earlier models, the user had to load it from tape or use a BASIC expansion module). In addition to the home computers, Robotron also offered cassette tapes with applications and games, modules, and other equipment.

File:Z9001 Prototyp.jpg, Robotron Z 9001 prototype
File:Robotron Z9001.jpg, Robotron Z 9001
File:Robotron-KC85-1-5.jpg, Robotron KC 85/1
File:Robotron-KC87-3.jpg, Robotron KC 87 from side view
File:KC85-1 Arbeitsplatz 1.jpg, Running workplace for the Robotron KC 85/1, with cassette deck ''Geracord 6020 Portable'', dot matrix printer ''Robotron K 6313'' and Russian ''Junost-402B'' television set.

See also

* Robotron Z1013 – A mostly compatible hobbyist kit, available even to private consumers via written order, waiting of one year and then self-pickup from factory outlet.
* KC 85 – A series of mostly compatible computers from a different manufacturer.
* KC compact – The only pre-assembled home computer made in the GDR aimed at private consumers; not compatible to any of the other KC systems.

References

External links

Robotron KC series at robotrontechnik.de


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Home computers
Products introduced in 1987
1987 in East Germany
Goods manufactured in East Germany
Science and technology in East Germany
Computers designed in Germany