Robik (ru: Арифметико Логическое Устройство «РОБИК»)[1][2][3][4][5] was a soviet ZX Spectrum clone produced between 1989 and 1994 by NPO Selto-Rotor[6][7][8] in Cherkasy.

Robik
Also known asАрифметико Логическое Устройство «РОБИК»
ManufacturerNPO Selto-Rotor
TypeHome computer
Release date1989; 35 years ago (1989)
Discontinued1994; 30 years ago (1994)
Operating systemSinclair BASIC
CPUZ80A clone
Memory48KB
DisplayAnalog RGB or digital TTL monitors; 256 x 192
SoundBeeper
Backward
compatibility
ZX Spectrum

The computer came with a full QWERTY keyboard with 55 keys,[3] separate EDIT, three SHIFTS, double RESET, DEL, separate , and . stop keys. It had the possibility to switch between Latin and Russian fonts. It had built-in Kempston interface and cursor keys that also worked as a joystick.

It had no edge connector and video output was analog RGB on a 5-pin DIN[9] or digital TTL on an 8-pin DIN[3] for connecting to monochrome MDA/Hercules or color EGA monitor.[10] There was no composite video and all I/O ports were 5- and 7-pin DINs. Inside the case there was a male 64-pin connector that could be mapped to the standard edge connector.

The hardware contained about three to four grams of gold and almost eighteen grams of silver. The letters on the keyboard were written using laser beam technology. The buttons used reed switches instead of copper or iron contact plates.

When writing, the screen memory to the TV/monitor screen did not begin from the top left of the border, but instead began from border right under paper. This meant that most multicolor effects and some games did not work correctly. Errors in the ROM have been fixed and Cyrillic letters were also inserted.

The keyboard matrix was extended from five keys in eight rows to five keys in nine rows to allow for more buttons. A reset could be performed by pressing two reset buttons.

The Robik came in four versions, with only minor changes made for Russian internationalization and localization. The hardware remained largely unchanged, but cheaper parts were used for each version. The fourth version had the new addition of a single integrated circuit. This version did not sell well because by then the main market for the Robik was hardware enthusiasts and this design did not allow for modifications.

Robik had two EPROM chips. There are two languages in the M2764AF-1 chip from ST, which can be switched by shortcut keys.

References edit

  1. ^ "The Robik 48k ZX Spectrum clone. A lovely gift from The Ukraine" – via www.youtube.com.
  2. ^ arn, lift. "Sinclair Clones - Robik". Sinclair Nostalgia Products.
  3. ^ a b c "Robik Robik". www.old-computers.com.
  4. ^ Walgenbach, Stefan. "Robik". HCM: The Home Computer Museum.
  5. ^ "The Computers That Came In From The Cold (Part 2)". Programing4Us.
  6. ^ Brain, Dmitry. "Робик". It8bit Club.
  7. ^ "Robik". Hal's Friends. Retrieved 2023-01-17.
  8. ^ МАСТЕР, СВОЙ. "Компьютеры / Computers". Виртуальный Музей Компьютеров, Кассет и Магнитол (in Russian). Retrieved 2023-01-17.
  9. ^ "Robik". Silicium.
  10. ^ Slabihoud, Stephan. "Sinclair – Nachbauten/Modelle". 8Bit-Museum.de.

See also edit