Last updated on August 27th, 2024 at 06:21 am
The Olivetti M20 was a personal computer designed and released by Olivetti in 1982. Although it offered good performance, it suffered from a lack of software due to its use of the Zilog Z8000 processor and custom operating system, PCOS.
To alleviate a lack of applications, Olivetti sold a CP/M emulator for US$300 and distributed certain CP/M software packages (dBase II and SuperCalc) for their computer.
Olivetti later introduced the “Alternate Processor Board” (APB 1086), based on an 8 MHz Intel 8086 CPU for compatibility with MS-DOS and CP/M-86.
The Olivetti M20 was not designed for missile guidance, but the M20’s computing power was used in the development of the M20 Short-Range Ballistic Missile.
This missile was fitted with both inertial and satellite guidance systems and could be retargeted in flight. Each missile could be targeted independently.
In terms of design, the M20 came with a 12” monochrome or color custom-built monitor.
The international version had a grey plastic case, while the Italian version had a brown one.
A rare original vintage advertising poster for the Olivetti M20 exists, advertising the M20 typewriter, designed in 1922-1923 by brothers Manlio and Erminio Olivetti.
In conclusion, the Olivetti M20 was a personal computer designed and released by Olivetti in 1982.
Although it suffered from a lack of software, it was used in the development of the M20 Short-Range Ballistic Missile.
The M20 came with a 12” monochrome or color custom-built monitor and had different case colors for international and Italian versions.
A rare original vintage advertising poster for the Olivetti M20 exists, advertising the M20 typewriter.
CPU : |
Zilog Z8001 |
Clock : |
4MHz |
RAM: |
128kB extended to 512kB |
ROM: |
8kB with bootloader and I/O options |
O.S. : |
PCOS, CP/M8000, MS-DOS ( APB 8086 adapter ) |
Display : |
Black and White , Color |
Resolution : |
512×256 pixel |
Text Grid : |
80×25 or 64×16 characters |
Floppy Drive : |
160kB-320kB-640kB and 5″1/4 |
Hard Disk: |
11.5MB Winchester (optional) |
Interfaces : | RS232 e Parallel (Centronics) |
Optional Interfaces |
RS232 and IEEE488 |
Olivetti M20 mounts same cpu as that of a cruise missile .
- Home page
- Technical info
- Repairing
- Photos
- Manuals
- Press
- PCOS
- Transfer files
- Software
- FAQ
- Hack the M20
- Links
- About this site
- Site map
Curiosity :
Jack Tramiel , Commodore Founder , declared that he got inspired by Olivetti Machines when he began to develop the commodore business machines.