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Victor Lambda

Main article: Interact Home Computer

The Victor Lambda was a rebranded Interact Home Computer^11121314(also called The Interact Family Computer 2¹⁵) microcomputer. Introduced in 1980, it had a chiclet keyboard and built-in cassette recorder for data storage.

Specifications:¹⁶¹⁷

• CPU: Intel i8080, 2.0 MHz
• Memory: 8K RAM, expandable to 16K RAM; 2K ROM
• OS: Basic Level II (Microsoft BASIC v4.7); EDU-Basic (both loaded from tape)
• Keyboard: 53-key chiclet
• Display: 17 × 12 characters text in 8 colors; 112 × 78 with 4 colors from a palette of 8
• Sound: SN76477 (one voice, four octaves)
• Ports: Television (RGB), two joysticks, RS232 (optional)
• Built-in cassette recorder (1200 B/s)
• PSU: External AC transformer

Hector 1 (Victor Lambda 2)

The Hector 1^18192021 was a 1983 computer, based on the Victor Lambda. Initially sold as Victor Lambda 2²²²³²⁴ it was renamed to avoid trademark confusion. Also known as Hector 16K. More than 100 games were published for this machine.²⁵

It was eventually considered as an entry level machine.²⁶

Specifications:²⁷

• CPU: Zilog Z80 @ 1.7 MHz
• Memory: 16K RAM
• OS: Basic Level III (loaded from tape)
• Keyboard: mechanical
• Display: 17 × 12 text in 8 colors, 112 × 78 in 8 colors
• Sound: SN76477N (one voice, four octaves)
• Ports: Television (RGB), two joysticks, RS232 (optional)
• Built-in cassette recorder (1200 B/s)
• PSU: Built-in

Hector 2 HR (Victor Lambda 2HR)

The Hector 2HR²⁸²⁹³⁰ is a 1983³¹ computer with a Zilog Z80 processor, 16KB of ROM and 48KB of RAM. Initially sold as Victor Lambda 2HR, it was renamed avoid trademark confusion.³² Graphics were improved, with a resolution of 243x231 in 4 colors, and 40x23 character text.³³ It has an built-in cassette recorder and an optional disk drive (DISK II). At launch there were sixty software titles available on tape.³⁴ It was considered as a more serious machine for those wishing to program their own games.³⁵

Specifications:³⁶³⁷

• CPU: Zilog Z80A @ 5 MHz
• Memory: 48K RAM; 4KB ROM
• OS: Basic Level III (loaded from tape)
• Keyboard: mechanical
• Display: 40 × 22 text; 112 × 78 in 8 colours, 243 × 231 in 4 colours
• Sound: SN76477 (one voice, four octaves)
• Built-in cassette recorder

DISK II device

The "Disk II" is a dual external 5+1⁄4-inch floppy disk drive with a dedicated processor. The Hector processor would handle the screen, keyboard and printer, while the floppy drive processor would run CP/M and manage floppy disks. Communication took place via the bi-directional parallel port.

Programming languages

The programming language is not available in ROM but loaded at startup. This makes it possible to distribute several languages, with BASIC 80, Pascal MT+, Cobol 80, Fortran 77, Forth and Assembly being available.

Hector 2HR+

The Hector 2HR+,³⁸³⁹⁴⁰ also released in 1983, is similar to the previous model, but including the BASIC language in ROM⁴¹ (thus freeing up more RAM memory for user programs).

Specifications:⁴²

• CPU: Zilog Z80A @ 5 MHz
• Memory: 48K RAM; 16KB ROM
• OS: Basic Level III
• Keyboard: mechanical
• Display: 40 × 22 text in 8 colours; 112 × 78 in 8 colours, 243 × 231 in 4 colours
• Sound: SN76477 (one voice, four octaves)
• Ports: Television (RGB, SECAM), two joysticks, Centronics, Disc Drive
• Built-in cassette recorder
• PSU: Built-in

Hector HRX

The Hector HRX,^4344454647 also released in 1983, is similar to the previous model, but changes BASIC for a Forth language interpreter in ROM and features a 64KB RAM.⁴⁸ An early 1983 review mentioned as positive compatibility with existing Lambda II HR software, but pointed lack of high-profile titles like arcade game conversions.⁴⁹ It was considered as a professional machine, capable of running small business applications like text processors, spreadsheets and databases.⁵⁰ A 1985 review of the system praised the varied peripherals available, but again criticized the lack of software.⁵¹

Specifications:⁵²

• CPU: Zilog Z80A @ 5 MHz
• Memory: 64K RAM; 16K ROM
• OS: Forth
• Keyboard: mechanical
• Display: 40 × 22 text in 8 colours; 112 × 78 in 8 colours, 243 × 231 in 4 colours
• Sound: SN76477 (one voice, four octaves)
• Ports: Television (RGB, SECAM), two joysticks, Centronics, Disc Drive
• Built-in cassette recorder
• PSU: Built-in

Hector MX

The Hector MX,⁵³⁵⁴ released in 1985, is similar to the HRX but offers BASIC, Forth, Logo and Assembly as languages available in ROM.⁵⁵

Specifications:⁵⁶

• CPU: Zilog Z80A @ 5 MHz
• Memory: 48K RAM; 64K ROM
• OS: BASIC 3X, HRX Forth, Logo, Assembly
• Keyboard: mechanical
• Display: 40 × 22 text in 8 colours; 112 × 78 in 8 colours, 243 × 231 in 4 colours
• Sound: SN76477 (one voice, four octaves)
• Ports: Television (RGB, SECAM), two joysticks, Centronics, Disc Drive
• Built-in cassette recorder
• PSU: Built-in

Software

Some software like Wordstar or Multiplan exists for this series of machines, along with many small games.⁵⁷⁵⁸ They are also compatible with the Interact Home Computer

References

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