ScuzzBlog: Diaries December 2017 Entry 02nd December 2017: Post: 2 Mattel Aquarius - An unwanted toy ? The Aquarius by Mattel which was released in June 83 and then very quickly discontinued in October 1983. And why.. ? Well basically the machine came too late to the market and at the price was little more than an expensive toy. Amazing that it lasted so little in terms of time. The CPU was a Zilog Z-80 running at 3.5MHz. The memory was just 4K and really needed the RAM expansion. The keyboard is a 48 key rubber Display 40x24 in text and 80x72 graphic at 16 colour Sound was one voice expanding to four The machine had no hardware sprites. The machine was evidently designed to introduce users to the joys of computing. Sadly by the time it hit the market those users were now looking for something more from their machines. Consequently the computer was not taken seriously, it would seem. The makers were quick to appreciate the issues and seemed to give in without a fight. Having used the computer for a very short time it handled very similar to many computers of the period in terms of BASIC. Problem was that there was just so little developed for the computer. So no great spread of games and magazines. Hardly surprising given the limited time in active service. Mattel did sell the rights to the machine to clear the stock. I am told that the name Mattel was taken from the machine, though all of mine carry the Mattel Electronics logo. I have three of these units boxed plus the recorder and RAM expansion The boxes have survived quite well Very tidy storage though beware as when carried the contents can drop out the bottom The stand up reference card is a nice touch. And all wire bound Foam supports to each end Quite a lot in such a small box And there we have the Aquarius Clean lines and a good measure of design And a proper on off switch Quite small I have to say Modest functionality Cartridge cover Printer and cassette TV and power hardwired Really hate the power connection And yes that is the SPACE bar And that is the RETURN button Interesting that you could interchange they keyboard cover plate. Nice touch A good space between buttons Cartridge slot cover removed Note the multi-colour to the cartridge slot base 16K Memory designed to follow shape of the main machine Neat idea Evidently quite rare.. Dunno Details on the cartridge Time to fire up this little baby Kinda blunt but hey !! Microsoft in 1982 and scuzz in 2017 Second computer powers up But not without issues Third machine already has a 16K Memory expansion unit fitted Means sadly I don't have the cartridge cover to this machine Worked no problem . Had quite a play on this computer This was the machine that came with the data recorder and games Details of the original owner Wonder what happened to the magazine Need to check I guess All set up to succeed. Shame really Useful book in the box I did find the manual quite easy to understand. Certainly pitched at the new user Data Recorder box a bit weathered Follows the design features of the main computer Themed design All very functional and pleasant Usual connectors Kinda well thought out machine Games tapes are a rarity This one lost its case and got written on. Was in the recorder Confidently promoted on the box Sadly the printer cost more than the actual Aquarius computer Controllers that look like calculators And the promise of a hard drive That was the Mattel Aquarius Kinda the computer that never was

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Last updated 02/12/2017

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scuzzscink 2017