CPC Wiki forum discussion - best 8 bit computer
Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2025 7:57 am
I see some messages from a 'robcfg' on there... is that the same 'robcfg' here in the World of Dragon forums? If so, some talk about the Coco 3, etc. I might be able to help with some details that you can pass along:
I would mention OS9 level 2 (now NitrOS9) for pre-emptive multitasking with a GUI might give it the best operating system. BASIC09 was one of the fastest and most advanced 8 bit BASIC's too (that would include the Dragon running it as well with OS-9 Level 1).
Some were asking about sound & graphics capability - there are videos of games like Photon, Zenix, The Contras, Crystal City; transcodes like Donkey Kong, PacMan, Joust, Defender and Robotron:2084, and others that should show some of what it is capable of (any of Nick Marentes' games too).
The Coco 3 was only officially sold in 3 countries from September/October 1986 onwards - USA, Canada and Australia. It sold for up to 5 years from that point (depending on the country). The Coco 1 came out about the same time in 1980, so the Coco line had about an 11 year run. (it's main magazine Rainbow stopped 2 months shy of finishing it's 12th year).
Sales figures: It is completely maddening that the Tandy guys who are still around will not reveal this at all, except to say that "it is higher than you think". Going by some hints from Tandy executives back in the day, and serial numbers, my rough guesses are:
Coco 1 ~ 500,000 (sold 1980-1984) (this one I am fairly certain on, as several sources in 1983 gave this figure).
Coco 2 ~ 2,000,000 (sold 1983-1990)
Coco 3 ~ 1,000,000 (sold 1986-1991)
The Coco 1/2 was sold in Europe and Asia as well. And clones were sold in Asia (the Sampo), Brazil, and other places.
I will say that the Coco 1/2 was way overpriced in the UK (and possibly the rest of Europe), especially compared with the Dragon with it's better keyboard, minium RAM of 32K & a real parallel port.
I would mention OS9 level 2 (now NitrOS9) for pre-emptive multitasking with a GUI might give it the best operating system. BASIC09 was one of the fastest and most advanced 8 bit BASIC's too (that would include the Dragon running it as well with OS-9 Level 1).
Some were asking about sound & graphics capability - there are videos of games like Photon, Zenix, The Contras, Crystal City; transcodes like Donkey Kong, PacMan, Joust, Defender and Robotron:2084, and others that should show some of what it is capable of (any of Nick Marentes' games too).
The Coco 3 was only officially sold in 3 countries from September/October 1986 onwards - USA, Canada and Australia. It sold for up to 5 years from that point (depending on the country). The Coco 1 came out about the same time in 1980, so the Coco line had about an 11 year run. (it's main magazine Rainbow stopped 2 months shy of finishing it's 12th year).
Sales figures: It is completely maddening that the Tandy guys who are still around will not reveal this at all, except to say that "it is higher than you think". Going by some hints from Tandy executives back in the day, and serial numbers, my rough guesses are:
Coco 1 ~ 500,000 (sold 1980-1984) (this one I am fairly certain on, as several sources in 1983 gave this figure).
Coco 2 ~ 2,000,000 (sold 1983-1990)
Coco 3 ~ 1,000,000 (sold 1986-1991)
The Coco 1/2 was sold in Europe and Asia as well. And clones were sold in Asia (the Sampo), Brazil, and other places.
I will say that the Coco 1/2 was way overpriced in the UK (and possibly the rest of Europe), especially compared with the Dragon with it's better keyboard, minium RAM of 32K & a real parallel port.
