VTech Laser 2001 & CreatiVision

The VTech Laser 2001, also known as CreatiVision, is a home computer and video game console hybrid developed and manufactured by VTech in the early 1980s.

1. Introduction of Laser 2001 and CreatiVision: The VTech Laser 2001, also marketed as the CreatiVision, was introduced in 1981 as VTech's entry into the home computer and video game console market. It was designed to offer both computing and gaming capabilities in a single system, targeting families and children.

2. Hardware: The Laser 2001/CreatiVision featured a Zilog Z80A CPU running at 3.58 MHz and had 16 KB of RAM. It supported a color graphics display with a resolution of 256x192 pixels and could display up to 16 colors. The system used cartridges for video games and cassette tapes for data storage. It also had a membrane keyboard for input.

3. Software and Applications: The Laser 2001/CreatiVision came with a range of built-in software applications, including educational programs, word processing software, and simple games. It also supported a library of cartridge-based video games, which included arcade-style games, educational games, and other entertainment titles.

4. Reception and Sales: The Laser 2001/CreatiVision found moderate success in the home computer and video game console market, particularly in Europe and Asia. It was praised for its affordability, versatility, and ease of use, making it accessible to a wide range of users. However, it faced stiff competition from other home computers and video game consoles of the era.

5. Legacy: The Laser 2001/CreatiVision is remembered as a unique hybrid system that offered both computing and gaming capabilities. It helped to popularize home computing and video gaming in the early 1980s and remains a nostalgic item for many enthusiasts today. Despite its relatively short lifespan and limited game library, it holds a special place in the history of home entertainment technology.

6. Discontinuation: VTech discontinued the Laser 2001/CreatiVision in the mid-1980s as they shifted their focus to other products and markets. However, the legacy of the Laser 2001/CreatiVision lives on in the memories of those who used it and in the history of home computing and video gaming in the 1980s.

In summary, the VTech Laser 2001, also known as CreatiVision, was an innovative hybrid system that combined home computing and video gaming capabilities. It helped to popularize home entertainment technology in the early 1980s and remains a nostalgic item for many enthusiasts today.