The early 1980s were a time when every manufacturer dreamed of creating the “computer of the future.” Around the world, companies tried to predict what users would want: better graphics, faster processors, unique programming languages – or simply a completely different design philosophy. Some visions were incredibly ambitious; others, just plain strange. But they all shared one goal: to break the mold and outpace the competition. Here’s the story of computers that wanted to change the world, but the world wasn’t quite ready for them.
Enterprise 64/128 – Delayed Genius from the UK
Launch: 1985 (originally announced in 1983)
Enterprise was a computer that could have reshaped the industry—if only it had launched on time. Designed by Intelligent Software in the UK, it was meant to challenge the ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64. When announced in 1983, its specs sounded like science fiction: a 4 MHz Z80 CPU, up to 128 KB RAM, 672× resolution (interlaced), 256-color palette, and an advanced EXOS operating system.
At its heart were two custom ASIC chips named “Nick” (graphics) and “Dave” (sound/memory paging), created by Nick Toop and Dave Woodfield. These were some of the most advanced integrated chips of their time.
Anecdote:
During development, the computer changed names multiple times – from “Samurai” (taken by Hitachi), to “Oscar,” then “Elan,” and finally “Enterprise.” Some joked it had more names than units sold.
Specs:
- CPU: Z80A, 4 MHz
- RAM: 64 KB (Enterprise 64) or 128 KB (Enterprise 128)
- ROM: 32 KB (with EXOS + text editor)
- Graphics: up to 672×512 (interlaced), 256 colors
- Price: £400–£500
Due to a two-year delay, it launched in 1985 – too late. Cheaper alternatives like the Amstrad CPC 464 had already taken over. Despite its technical brilliance, only about 80,000 units were sold.
Enterprise 128 by http://www.museo8bits.es/
Memotech MTX – Brushed-Aluminum Elegance from Britain
Launch: June 1983
The Memotech MTX stood out with its premium construction and professional appearance. Unlike its plastic rivals, it featured a brushed anodized aluminum case, giving it the look of high-end hi-fi equipment. Available in MTX500 (32 KB), MTX512 (64 KB), and RS128 (128 KB), it came with a 4 MHz Z80A, TMS9929A graphics, and SN76489AN sound.
It had a 79-key typewriter-style keyboard, separate numeric and function key blocks, and came with a built-in Z80 assembler and PANEL monitor for real-time register tracking.
Trivia:
Memotech planned to enter the Soviet market – with demo models using red keyboard overlays. The deal, however, never materialized.
Specs:
- CPU: Z80A, 4 MHz
- RAM: 32/64/128 KB (expandable to 512 KB)
- VRAM: 16 KB dedicated
- Graphics: 256×192, 16 colors, 32 sprites
- Price: £275 (MTX500), £315 (MTX512)
Despite its quality, MTX was too expensive compared to the £99 ZX Spectrum. About 250,000 units were sold, mostly in the UK and Europe.
Memotech MTX500 – autor: Bilby, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Jupiter Ace – The Forth-Speaking Computer
Launch: September 22, 1982
Engineers Richard Altwasser and Steven Vickers (formerly of Sinclair Research) made a bold move: instead of BASIC, the Jupiter Ace used the Forth programming language. It was the only home computer that booted directly into Forth.
Forth used reverse Polish notation – e.g., “3 2 +” instead of “3 + 2.” While powerful and compact, it was tough for beginners. Though it had just 3 KB of user RAM, its efficiency allowed surprisingly complex programs.
Anecdote:
Its manual opened with: “In 1950, the National Physical Laboratory built the Pilot ACE… Now, in 1982, Jupiter Cantab has built its own ACE.” A clear nod to the original ACE computer.
Specs:
- CPU: Z80A, 3.25 MHz
- RAM: 3 KB user + 8 KB ROM (Forth)
- Graphics: 32×24 characters, bitmap graphics
- Price: £90–£150
Only about 5,000 units were made. Today, they’re highly sought after by collectors.
Jupiter ACE by Factor-h ( Dutra de Lacerda http://factor-h.com ) at en.wikipedia via Commons
Camputers Lynx – A Graphical Record with Bottlenecks
Launch: Early 1983
The Lynx offered a constant high-res display of 256×252 pixels in 8 colors, using a 6×10 font. All BASIC numbers were BCD floating-point – unique for its time.
It came in 48 KB (£225), 96 KB (£299), and 128 KB (£345) models, with the 128 KB version running at 6 MHz (vs. 4 MHz standard).
Unfortunately, only a few bytes of the graphics memory could be updated during horizontal sync – making graphics painfully slow. No hardware sprites or sound support further hampered game performance.
Specs:
- CPU: Z80A 4 MHz (6 MHz in 128K)
- RAM: 48/96/128 KB (expandable to 192 KB)
- Graphics: 256×252, 8 colors
- Graphics controller: Motorola 6845
Camputers went bankrupt in June 1984. Sales were poor compared to rivals.
Camputers Lynx based on of original image Camputers_Lynx_48k.JPG by Retro-activity
Spectravideo SV-318 – Almost MSX, But Not Quite
Launch: 1983
The SV-318 inspired the MSX standard but wasn’t fully compatible with it. It used the same Z80A CPU, TMS9918A graphics, and AY-3-8910 sound chip that MSX would adopt.
Its main weaknesses were a chiclet keyboard, clumsy built-in joystick, and only 16 KB RAM, limiting performance.
Trivia:
Though not technically MSX-compatible (due to different I/O and memory layout), it was marketed in the UK as “the first MSX software-compatible computer.” A technically true, but misleading claim.
Specs:
- CPU: Z80A, 3.58 MHz
- RAM: 16 KB + 16 KB VRAM
- Graphics: TMS9918A, 256×192, 16 colors, 32 sprites
- Price: £299 (USA), £220 (UK)
Spectravideo SV-318 – by Nostalgic, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Tatung Einstein – CP/M for the Masses
Launch: Summer 1984
Designed in Bradford (UK) and built in Taiwan, the Einstein ran no BASIC by default – it booted into MOS (Machine Operating System), from which users could load Xtal DOS (CP/M-compatible) and BASIC.
It featured a 3″ Hitachi floppy drive when most machines used cassettes, and became a favorite development platform for its stability and memory.
Specs:
- CPU: Z80A, 4 MHz
- RAM: 64 KB + 16 KB VRAM
- Graphics: TMS9129, 256×192, 16 colors, 32 sprites
- System: Xtal DOS (CP/M compatible)
- Price: £499
Its price was too steep for home users. Only around 5,000 were made.
Tatung Einstein by Tatung_Einstein_and_NewBrain.jpg taken by Marcin Wichary
Coleco Adam – An American Disaster
Launch: October 1983
Sold as an add-on to the ColecoVision console or as a standalone machine, the Adam came bundled with 64 KB RAM, a Digital Data Pack tape drive, daisywheel printer, and software – all for $700.
Its downfall? Huge defect rates – 60% of early units were returned. It was also oddly designed: powered through the printer, and booted into a word processor instead of BASIC.
Anecdote:
Coleco aimed to ship 500,000 units by Christmas 1983. They managed only 95,000, and the Adam was discontinued by January 1985.
Specs:
- CPU: Z80A
- RAM: 64 KB (expandable to 80 KB)
- Storage: Digital Data Pack (cassette)
- Included: Daisywheel printer, word processor
- Price: $700
Coleco Adam by Akbkuku Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
The Legacy of Bold Experiments
All of these machines had one thing in common: they tried to break the mold. Enterprise aimed for technical supremacy, MTX prioritized elegance, Jupiter Ace focused on programming innovation, Lynx pushed for better graphics, and Adam tried to bundle everything in one box.
None were commercial hits, but each made a lasting contribution. Enterprise showed what advanced graphics chips could do; MTX proved hardware quality matters; Jupiter Ace explored alternative languages; and Adam introduced the idea of a complete home setup.
Often, their “failures” were just innovations ahead of their time. Many features they pioneered resurfaced in successful machines later on. The history of computing isn’t just about winners – it’s also about the visionaries who dared to try something new.
