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Release date of the Memotech MTX ?

Posted: 10 Feb 2023 20:46
by Crazyboss
Hi.

Do we know what date the Memotech MTX was released to public. I think late 1983, I found this magazine
https://archive.org/details/1983-12-dr- ... ?q=MTX-512

The magazine is published dec.1983, and they talk about a Memotech MTX-512 Press Kit. Not sure if they got it before release date.

There are games copyrighted in 1983, but Andy Key told me, some games was written on the hardware of the Memotech, but it was not a Memotech MTX computer, cause it was not finished yet. Also they used other ports for at least the VDP so they changed those numbers after testing, also the Memory Adresses, cause most Memotech games run from 0x80ff.

I think games was ready in 1983, was Toado, Super Minefield, Daughts, Kilopede, Nemo maybe more.

In case the Memotech MTX was released in 1983, we can celebrate its 40th year birthday this year :)

Re: Release date of the Memotech MTX ?

Posted: 10 Feb 2023 21:02
by stephen_usher
There's an advert for the MTX on page s 264/265 of "Your Computer" December '83 edition.

https://archive.org/details/your-comput ... 3/mode/2up

Unfortunately the November edition isn't on Archive.Org so I can't check if the advert is in there too.

P.S. Advert in October edition too (Page 190). Obviously pre-release advert in the August edition (Page.20)... Look at those graphics!

https://archive.org/details/your-comput ... 9/mode/2up

Re: Release date of the Memotech MTX ?

Posted: 10 Feb 2023 21:14
by Dave
I think it was released in June 1983 at the Earls Court Computer Fair

http://primrosebank.net/computers/mtx/a ... motech.htm

machines did not actually ship until late in the year

regards
Dave

Re: Release date of the Memotech MTX ?

Posted: 10 Feb 2023 21:22
by Dave
A selection of the adverts from 1983 are here

http://primrosebank.net/computers/mtx/a ... dverts.htm

Based on the change of livery, I'd put the date of first shipments as early November

The first ad with the actual design was dated November, but with publishers in the UK typically putting mags out around 4 weeks prior to the cover date, I'd guess that that magazine hit the shelves sometime in October and shipments would have likely started soon after that

Re: Release date of the Memotech MTX ?

Posted: 10 Feb 2023 21:43
by stephen_usher
The first 3rd party adverts for the MTX start in January '84.

Mention of a review of the MTX in the missing November '83 edition, which would suggest that was the launch.

Re: Release date of the Memotech MTX ?

Posted: 10 Feb 2023 22:26
by Martin A
I got my original 512 in December '83.

The old bank statement I found shows the cheque cleared on 20/12/83!

Re: Release date of the Memotech MTX ?

Posted: 11 Feb 2023 16:21
by 1024MAK
Martin A wrote: 10 Feb 2023 22:26 I got my original 512 in December '83.

The old bank statement I found shows the cheque cleared on 20/12/83!
And people think I’m odd, keeping bank statements for ten years :lol:

Mark

Re: Release date of the Memotech MTX ?

Posted: 11 Feb 2023 23:30
by Dave
1024MAK wrote: 11 Feb 2023 16:21
And people think I’m odd, keeping bank statements for ten years :lol:

Mark
Amateur!

When clearing out my files for the move, I had to dispose of bank statements from 1982! :roll:

Re: Release date of the Memotech MTX ?

Posted: 12 Feb 2023 11:57
by stephen_usher
I'm sure if I could find my December 1984 statement (which does exist somewhere) it would show the £199 cheque to a Bedford independent computer shop for my MTX500. (I know, Dec. 1984, a bit late to the party. :-) )

Re: Release date of the Memotech MTX ?

Posted: 13 Feb 2023 20:29
by Martin A
The advantage of buying later, your's probably didn't break within a few months and end up going off to Memotech (and probably Jim) to repair!