The MZ-80 series was Sharp’s first microcomputer, introduced as early as 1979 (although some sources place it as late as 1981). It had several incarnations during its production run. The MZ-80K was first and featured an odd keyboard similar to the original Commodore PET. It was followed by the MZ-80C, which had a more standard keyboard. The MZ-80A (sold as the MZ-1200 in Japan) had an even better keyboard and a more streamlined design. Finally, the MZ-80B had a redesigned case that could more easily accommodate a floppy drive, and it had hi-res graphics capability.
Sharp replaced the MZ-80 series with the MZ-700 in 1983. It had a separate monitor but retained the built-in cassette recorder. The MZ-800 series supplanted the MZ-700 in 1985. It was partially compatible with the early MZ systems and could optionally run CP/M.
The Sharp X1 series aimed to bridge home computing and television technologies. It could function as both, and users could superimpose computer-generated images over TV images. Consumers could chose among three colors for the Model CZ-800C: snow white, rose red, and metallic silver. Only the latter two colors were available for the other models. The X1 line seems to have been developed for the Japanese market, but a few might have been sold in the U.S. through a California distributor. Sharp literature also refers to a C1 Microcomputer Television, but this was probably an early designation for the X1.
The MZ-700 series had three models: the MZ-711, MZ-721, and MZ-731. The MZ-711 used a TV for video and required a separate cassette recorder for storage. Both the MZ-721 and MZ-731 had cassette recorders built in, and the MZ-731 also had a built-in printer/plotter. The two MZ-3500 models were the MZ-3531 and MZ-3541.
Sharp MZ-80 Series (1979, desktop)
Base Configuration: Z80 CPU, integral monochrome CRT and keyboard, BASIC
Important Options: external dual floppy disk drives
Sharp MZ-700 Series (1983, desktop)
Base Configuration: Z80A CPU, 64K RAM, 4K ROM, integral keyboard
Size/Weight: 17.2 x 11.9 x 3.4 inches, 7.9 lbs.
Important Options: integral cassette recorder, integral printer
Sharp MZ-800 Series (1985, desktop)
Base Configuration: 3.5MHz Z80A CPU, 64K RAM, 16K ROM, RGB video port, integral cassette recorder and keyboard, parallel and two game ports, three-voice sound
Video: 25-line x 80-column text, 640 x 200 graphics, four colors
Important Options: CP/M, external 5.25-inch floppy disk drive, 2.8-inch Quick disk drive
Sharp MZ-3500 Series (desktop)
Base Configuration: Z80A CPU, 128K RAM (256K max), 8K ROM, keyboard/keypad, RS-232C and GP-IB ports
Video: 640 x 400 graphics
Size/Weight: 18.3 x 14.6 x 5.7 inches, 26.4 lbs.
Sharp MZ-5500 Personal Computer (1983, desktop)
Original Retail Price: $1,285 to $1,730
Base Configuration: 5MHz 8086 CPU, CP/M-86, 256K RAM (512K max), 5.25-inch floppy disk drive, 12-inch monochrome monitor, keyboard/keypad, two RS-232C and one parallel port, BASIC, sound generator
Important Options: MS-DOS, expansion unit, second 5.25-inch floppy disk drive, 10MB hard disk drive, 12-inch color monitor, mouse
Sharp YX-3200 Business Computer (Oct. 1980, desktop)
Original Retail Price: $6,000 Base Configuration: Z80 CPU, 64K RAM (128K max), 32K ROM (72K max), two 5.25-inch floppy disk drives, 12-inch monochrome monitor, program generator, BASIC, printer
Video: 24-line x 80-column text
Sharp X1 Series (1982, desktop)
Base Configuration: 4MHz Z80A CPU, 64K RAM, 6K ROM, integral cassette drive, CZ-800D or CZ-801D 14-inch color TV, RGB video port, keyboard/keypad, parallel and two game ports, Sharp-Hu BASIC, sound synthesizer
Video: 25-line x 80-column text, 640 x 200 graphics
Size/Weight: 15.4 x 13.1 x 4.25 or 16.5 x 13.5 x 4.5 inches
Important Options: expansion chassis, integral printer
Sharp OA-8100 (late 1983, desktop)
Base Configuration: 68000 CPU, Unix System III, 512K RAM (4MB max), 5.25-inch floppy disk drive, keyboard/keypad, RS-232C and Ethernet ports
Video: 1152 x 750 graphics, 16 colors
Important Options: 10MB to 135MB hard disk drive, second 5.25-inch floppy disk drive, color monitor
Sharp MZ-6500 (1984, desktop PC)
Original Retail Price: $2,800
Base Configuration: 8MHz 8086-2 CPU, MS-DOS and CP/M-86, 512K RAM, two 5.25-inch floppy disk drives, keyboard/keypad, two RS-232C ports, BASIC, application suite
Important Options: 10MB hard disk drive
Sharp PC-7500 (desktop PC)
Base Configuration: 8MHz 80286, MS-DOS 3.1, 512K RAM (1MB max), 5.25-inch floppy disk drive, keyboard/keypad, serial and parallel ports, GW-BASIC 3.1
Important Options: second 5.25-inch floppy disk drive, 20MB hard disk drive, monochrome or color monitor
Sharp PC-7000 Series Compact Personal Computer (1985, transportable PC)
Original Retail Price: $1,995 to $2,995
Base Configuration: 7.27MHz 80C86-2 CPU, MS-DOS 2.11, 320K RAM (740K max), 5.25-inch floppy disk drive, 20MB hard disk drive, monochrome ELD, keyboard/keypad, RS-232C and parallel ports
Video: 25-line x 80-column text, 640 x 200 graphics
Size/Weight: 16.1 x 6.3 x 8.5 inches, 20.6 lbs.
Important Options: expansion unit, CGA card, GW-BASIC, internal modem, printer, carrying case
Sharp PC-7200 Compact Personal Computer (1987, transportable PC)
Original Retail Price: $2,995 to $3,995
Base Configuration: 10MHz 80286, MS-DOS 3.2, ISA slot, 640K RAM (1.6MB max), 5.25-inch floppy disk drive, monochrome ELD, RGB video port, keyboard/keypad, RS-232C and parallel ports, GW-BASIC 3.2
Video: 25-line x 80-column text, 640 x 200 CGA graphics
Size/Weight: 16.1 x 9.5 x 6.25 inches, 21 lbs.
Important Options: expansion unit, second 5.25-inch floppy disk drive, 20MB or 40MB hard disk drive, internal modem, carrying case, CE-700P printer
Sharp PC-5000 Portable Computer (Nov. 1983, laptop)
Original Retail Price: $1,995
Base Configuration: 80C88 CPU; MS-DOS 2.0; two expansion slots; 128K RAM (256K max), 192K ROM; monochrome LCD; integral keyboard; RS-232C, parallel, and cassette ports; BASIC; battery pack; AC adapter
Video: 8-line x 80-column text, 640 x 80 graphics
Size/Weight: 12.75 x 12 x 3.5 inches, 11 lbs.
Important Options: dual external 5.25-inch floppy disk drives, 128K to 256K bubble memory, internal modem, integral CE-150 printer
Sharp PC-4500 Series (1987, laptop PC)
Original Retail Price: $995 to $3,195
Base Configuration: 7.16MHz 80188-compatible CPU, MS-DOS 2.11, two expansion slots, 256K RAM (640K max) and 32K ROM, 3.5-inch floppy disk drive, monochrome LCD, parallel port, lead-acid battery pack, AC adapter
Video: 25-line x 80-character text
Size/Weight: 12.12 x 3 x 13.75 inches, 10 lbs.
Important Options: MS-DOS 3.2, second 3.5-inch floppy disk drive, external 5.25-inch floppy disk drive, 20MB hard disk drive, GW-BASIC 3.2
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