As early as 1974, SORD was selling a microcomputer–the SM80X–in Japan. By the time SORD began exporting its products to the U.S. in the early 1980s, it had captured about 7 percent of the Japanese computer market. The name SORD was a quasi-acronym for “SOftware/haRDware.”
SORD sold the M5 in two configurations with different software offerings. The M5 Fun Computer was designed for games and came with the BASIC-I cartridge, while the M5 Multi-Computer was for users interested in both games and productivity applications. It came with the M5 FALC spreadsheet program, BASIC-G, and a carrying case.
Although sold as a portable, the M23P wasn’t much different from most other 8-bit micros–an all-in-one unit with a small flip-up LCD.
The Z80A coprocessor in the M68 allowed it to run 8-bit software, or it could be configured as an I/O processor. Fuji-Xerox sold an OEM version of the M68.
The key feature of the M343 was its outstanding graphics capability. The M343SX used a modular rather than the integrated design found with other M343 systems. It could serve as either a single- or multi-user system. SORD also sold the M343SX jr. on an OEM basis either as a complete computer or just the system boards.
SORD later sold a version of the IS-11 Consultant with an 80-column display.
SORD M23 (1979, desktop)
Base Configuration: 4MHz Z80A CPU, SORD Operating System, two expansion slots, 128K RAM, 5.25-inch floppy disk drive, integral keyboard/keypad, two RS-232C and one parallel port, PIPS spreadsheet, BASIC
Video: 25-line x 80-column text, 640 x 256 graphics, eight colors
Size/Weight: 16.6 x 4.15 x 11.15 inches, 8.4 lbs.
Important Options: SB-80, second 5.25-inch floppy disk drive, external dual 8-inch floppy disk drives, external 7.5MB hard disk drive, 12-inch monochrome or 14-inch color monitor
SORD M23P (1983, transportable)
Original Retail Price: $2,200
Base Configuration: 4MHz Z80A CPU, SORD Operating System, three expansion slots, two 3.5-inch floppy disk drives, monochrome LCD, integral keyboard/keypad, two RS-232C and one parallel port, PIPS spreadsheet, BASIC
Video: 8-line x 80-column text, 640 x 256 graphics, eight colors
Size/Weight: 17.25 x 5.15 x 15.5 inches, 16.5 lbs.
Important Options: 8088 coprocessor; SB-80, UCSD p-System, or MS-DOS; 12-inch monochrome or 14-inch color monitor
SORD M5 (1982, home computer)
Original Retail Price: $200
Base Configuration: Z80A CPU; ROM cartridge slot; 4K RAM (36K max), 8K ROM; TV video port; RF modulator; integral keyboard; parallel and cassette ports; M5 BASIC-I, BASIC-G, or BASIC-F, AC adapter
Video: 25-line x 40-column text, 256 x 192 graphics, 16 colors
Size/Weight: 10.3 x 7.3 x 1.4 inches, 1.75 lbs.
Important Options: expansion box, RS-232C interface, game controllers, carrying case, battery pack
SORD M68/M68MX (1982 [M68]/1984 [M68MX], desktop)
Original Retail Price: $4,490 to $13,000 (M68)
Base Configuration: 10MHz 68000 and 4MHz Z80A (68000 only for M68MX); CP/M-68K; three expansion slots; 256K RAM (4MB max) plus 64K RAM and 4K ROM for the Z80A (M68)/512K RAM (3.5MB max) and 16K ROM (M68MX); one (M68MX) or two (M68) 5.25-inch floppy disk drives; RAM disk (M68MX); 20MB hard disk drive (68MX); 12-inch monochrome monitor; keyboard/keypad; two serial, parallel, and IEEE-488 ports (M68)/parallel port (M68MX); system manuals
Video: 25-line x 80-column text, 640 x 400 graphics (M68)/640 x 500 graphics (M68MX), 16 colors
Size/Weight: 18.9 x 15.7 x 4.7 inches, 33 lbs.
Important Options: 7.5MB or 20MB hard disk drive (M68), 8-inch floppy disk drive (M68), color monitor (M68), mouse (M68MX)
SORD M243 Series (1983, desktop)
Base Configuration: 4MHz Z80A CPU; RDOS/RMDOS, MS-DOS, CP/M-86, or UCSD p-System; four S-100 slots; 192K RAM (1MB max); 5.25- or 8-inch floppy disk drive; integral 12-inch monochrome CRT; keyboard/keypad; four RS-232C and one parallel port; PIPS spreadsheet
Video: 25-line x 80-column text, 640 x 400 graphics
Important Options: second 5.25- or 8-inch floppy disk drive, 7.9MB hard disk drive, integral 12-inch color CRT
SORD M343 Series (1983, desktop)
Base Configuration: 5MHz 8086 CPU; RDOS/RMDOS, MS-DOS, CP/M-86, or UCSD p-System; four S-100 slots; 256K RAM (768K max); 5.25- or 8-inch floppy disk drive; integral 12-inch monochrome CRT; keyboard/keypad; four RS-232C and one parallel port; PIPS spreadsheet
Video: 25-line x 80-column text, 640 x 400 graphics
Size/Weight: 22.2 x 17.9 x 18.6 inches, 70 lbs.
Important Options: second 5.25- or 8-inch floppy disk drive, 7.9MB hard disk drive, integral 12-inch color CRT
SORD M343SX (Nov. 1984, desktop PC)
Original Retail Price: $4,000
Base Configuration: 8086 CPU; MS-DOS, CP/M, UCSD p-System, or RMDOS; 256K RAM (6MB max); 5.25- or 8-inch floppy disk drive, 12-inch monochrome monitor, keyboard/keypad
Video: 720 x 500 graphics
Important Options: 20MB hard disk drive, 14-inch color monitor
SORD M343SX jr. (1984, desktop PC)
Base Configuration: 8088 CPU, MS-DOS, 256K RAM
SORD IS-11 Consultant (April 1984, notebook)
Original Retail Price: $995
Base Configuration: Z80A CPU, TOS, 32K RAM (64K max), 128K ROM, integral microcassette drive, monochrome LCD, integral keyboard, RS-232C port, application suite in ROM, NiCad battery pack, AC adapter
Video: 8-line x 40-column text
Size/Weight: 11.75 x 8.45 x 1.45 inches, 4.4 lbs.
Important Options: external floppy disk drive, monochrome monitor, keypad, data transfer utility, thermal printer, bar-code reader, internal modem
SORD IS-11C (1985, notebook)
Original Retail Price: $1,495
Base Configuration: 3.4MHz Z80A CPU; ROM cartridge slot; 80K RAM (144K max); 72K ROM; integral microcassette drive; monochrome LCD; integral keyboard; RS-232C, parallel, and bar-code reader ports; application suite; NiCad battery pack; AC adapter
Video: 25-line x 80-column text, 640 x 200 graphics
Size/Weight: 11.75 x 8.45 x 3.37 inches, 6.4 lbs.
Important Options: 3.5-inch floppy disk drive, keypad, mouse, I-BASIC, printer
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