Tomy Tutor & Pyuuta

The Tomy Tutor and Pyuuta are home computer systems developed and manufactured by the Japanese toy and electronics company Tomy.

Tomy Tutor:

1. Introduction: The Tomy Tutor, also known as the Tomy Tutor TV Typewriter, was released in 1982 primarily in Japan and some other markets. It was marketed as an educational and home computing system for children and families.

2. Hardware: The Tomy Tutor featured an 8-bit Zilog Z80 CPU running at 3.58 MHz and had 16 KB of RAM, expandable to 48 KB. It had built-in BASIC programming language support and used cartridges and cassette tapes for software and data storage. The system had a built-in keyboard and connected to a television set for display.

3. Software: The Tomy Tutor came with a range of built-in software, including educational programs, games, and productivity applications. It was designed to be user-friendly and accessible for children and beginners. Tomy also released a variety of cartridges and peripherals for the Tutor, expanding its capabilities and software library.

4. Reception and Legacy: The Tomy Tutor achieved modest success in Japan and other markets, particularly among families and educational institutions. However, it faced tough competition from other home computers of the era, such as the Commodore 64 and Atari 8-bit series. Despite its limited commercial success, the Tutor remains a nostalgic piece of computing history for many enthusiasts.

Pyuuta:

1. Introduction: The Pyuuta, also known as the Tomy Pyuuta or Pyuta, was released in 1982 as a home computer system primarily in Japan. It was positioned as a more advanced and versatile home computing platform compared to the Tomy Tutor.

2. Hardware: The Pyuuta featured a similar Zilog Z80 CPU running at 3.58 MHz and had 64 KB of RAM, expandable to 128 KB. It also supported BASIC programming and used cartridges and cassette tapes for software and data storage. The Pyuuta had a built-in keyboard and connected to a television set for display.

3. Software: The Pyuuta had a wider range of software available compared to the Tutor, including games, educational programs, productivity software, and programming tools. It was marketed as a more versatile home computer system suitable for a wider range of applications and users.

4. Reception and Legacy: Like the Tomy Tutor, the Pyuuta achieved moderate success in Japan but faced stiff competition from other home computers of the era. It is remembered as an early example of a home computer developed by a toy company and holds a place in the history of Japanese computing.

In summary, the Tomy Tutor and Pyuuta were home computer systems developed by Tomy in the early 1980s. While they achieved moderate success in Japan and other markets, they faced tough competition and were eventually overshadowed by other home computers of the era. However, they remain nostalgic pieces of computing history for many enthusiasts.