Tangerine Microtan 65

The Tangerine Microtan 65 is a microcomputer developed and manufactured by Tangerine Computer Systems, a British company.

1. Development and Introduction: The Tangerine Microtan 65 was introduced in 1979 as an affordable microcomputer kit aimed at hobbyists and enthusiasts. It was based on the Motorola 6502 microprocessor and was designed to be expandable and customizable for various applications.

2. Hardware: The Microtan 65 featured a 6502 CPU running at 1 MHz and had 1 KB of RAM (expandable to 16 KB). It also included built-in support for monochrome video output and audio through an onboard speaker. The Microtan 65 used a keyboard for input and had expansion slots for adding peripherals and interfaces.

3. Software and Applications: The Microtan 65 came with a built-in monitor program that allowed users to write and run programs in machine code or assembly language. Tangerine Computer Systems also provided a range of software and hardware peripherals for the Microtan 65, including expansion boards for additional memory, storage, and I/O capabilities. The system supported cassette tape storage for programs and data.

4. Reception and Impact: The Microtan 65 was well-received by hobbyists and early computing enthusiasts for its affordability, expandability, and ease of use. It found popularity among home users, students, and small businesses interested in learning about and experimenting with computing technology. However, it faced stiff competition from other microcomputers of the era, such as the Apple II and Commodore PET.

5. Legacy: The Tangerine Microtan 65 is remembered as one of the early microcomputers that contributed to the rise of the personal computer revolution in the late 1970s and early 1980s. While it did not achieve the same level of commercial success as some of its competitors, it played a role in popularizing home computing and served as a platform for learning and experimentation for many early computer enthusiasts.

6. Discontinuation: Tangerine Computer Systems discontinued the Microtan 65 in the early 1980s as they shifted their focus to other products and markets. However, the legacy of the Microtan 65 lives on in the history of computing as an early example of a microcomputer designed for home and hobbyist use.

In summary, the Tangerine Microtan 65 was an early microcomputer kit that helped popularize home computing in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Despite its modest specifications, it played a significant role in the early days of the personal computer revolution and remains a nostalgic piece of computing history for many enthusiasts.