U.K. EINSTEIN USER GROUP

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The next page
A typical page from journal
Another page from that Einy Whiz Chris Coxall
A few other places on the internet with einy's in mind
Membership Application form & info
a couple of pictures of einy's at work & play
LOADING BINARY & BBC BASIC PROGRAMS FROM A PC DIRECTLY INTO THE EINSTEIN'S MEMORY
An Advert From 1984 For The Einy
A Statement From Chris Coxall On The Matter Of Einstein Market Value

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CPU	Zilog Z80
SPEED	4 MHz
ROM	8 KB
RAM	64 KB (44 KB free for user)
VRAM	16 KB
TEXT Modes	40 / 32 x 24
GRAPHIC Modes	256 x 192
COLORS	16
SOUND	3 voices, 7 octaves
I/O Ports	RS232c, Centronics, User port, Joystick (2), Bus Z80, Floppy Disk
Media	(as built ) one or two Hitachi 3' floppy disk unit (380 KB) -But PC 3.5'' drives can be fitted
Operating System	Xtal/DOS
Made in	1984

The Tatung Einstein has characteristics very near those MSX machines (same video modes, same sound chip, sprites, etc. but is not compatible with this standard. The Einstein runs under Xtal/DOS which is an operating system compatible with CP/M. It was possible to connect an other floppy disk drive and a 80 column card was available. The Einstein was a very attractive computer but it was too expensive to have great market success.

The U.K. Einstein User Group is still very active with a dedicated membership devoted to keeping the 'Einy' alive into the 21st century . The Magazine editor ( who should be able to answer most queries ) is :-

ENSTEIN MAG
current info on the join page

E-Mail messages can be passed on via this link to this box here ! _ please include your postal address if possible to ensure that we can get a reply to you _ (anti_spam addition_in_addy_30/08/03)

Tatung introduced the TC-01 (Z80-based) home ( and small business ) computer ( running a CP/M-clone operating system ) in mid-1984 , to widen the range of its recently-acquired Decca TV product line.
There was also intended to be a ''big brother'' -- and advanced TPC-2000 business computer ( running true CP/M ) -- but this machine was abandoned after the Taiwan-government-sponsored consortium (which included Tatung ) produced a legal IBM-compatible range of computers ) . The initial stock was remaindered off , and very few of these machines exist .
In 1986 the EINSTEIN 256 computer was added to the range. This was essentially a games machine intended to compete with the Amstrad CPC , though it does have serious small-business capablity too.

Many local groups were formed to cater for users of these machines. Due to overwhelming demand one of these groups was re-organised in late 1985 as the U.K. EINSTEIN USER GROUP . Over the ensuing years the group gradually declined ( as the number of Einstein computers fell ) , until its demise was only averted in 1993 by enthusiastic new management .

The EINSTEIN USER GROUP now exists to support , promote and encourage mutal self-help ( and exchange of information ) between owners ( and users ) of the Tatung/Einstein range of home and business computers . It does not cater specifically for Tatung's IBM-compatible computers, but welcomes owners and users of these machines to membership , and will support users of them (under MsDos ) in so far as it is able to do so .

EINSTEIN USER GROUP members receive one free copy of each issue of EINSTEIN MAGAZINE/All micro news , our meduim for exchanging news, views, ideas and information between users of these machines , plus membes sales and wants . a wealth of information is stored in the back numbers at a special low price, to enncourage them to share in this treasure-house of knowledge

A front cover from 1999

EINSTEIN USER GROUP members also have access to a large software library , which has been written ( or adapted ) for Einstein Computers. This is open to non-members too , but members only pay half price.

EINSTEIN USER GROUP systematically negotiates with former Einstein software houses to keep Einstein software , manuals , etc. ''in print'' , so members can readily buy legitimate commercial-quality games/serious/utility software , often at fraction of the original price . These titles areavailable to non-members too , but the members discount often makes it much cheaper to join than to stay outside in the cold.

Nowadays many Einstein owners are novice users , often still at school, unemployed , or retired , and often with very limited income . We cut costs to the bone wherever we can . Even this is not always enough , so we are happy to accept payment in kind as well as in cash ; and once you're a member we'll credit your membership account accordingly if you play an active part in helping us run the group.

Please do ask for a membership form and join us in EINSTEIN USER GROUP . We don't compete with other user groups , but we do co-operate , so we may be able to put you in touch even if you don't have an Einstein. Or you may be able to put us in touch ! . If your machine has no user group , we'll do our best to support you ourselves.