Amstrad 6128 Plus

Launched in Europe in September 1990, the Amstrad 6128 Plus was the disk-based flagship of Amstrad’s redesigned CPC Plus range. It combined a 4 MHz Zilog Z80A processor, 128KB of RAM and a built-in 3-inch floppy drive with new hardware sprites, smooth scrolling, cartridge support and a palette of 4,096 colours.

The 6128 Plus could run much of the original CPC software through the supplied system cartridge, which contained the firmware and Locomotive BASIC. Its enhanced ASIC offered useful game-oriented capabilities, but the machine reached the market as lower-cost 16-bit computers and consoles were becoming dominant.

Notable Features

• 128KB of RAM and a built-in 3-inch floppy disk drive
• Custom ASIC provided 16 hardware sprites, smooth scrolling, raster interrupts and split-screen effects
• Expanded 4,096-colour palette while retaining the original CPC display modes
• Cartridge slot supplied the system firmware and supported fast-loading software
• Bundled system cartridge included Locomotive BASIC and the game Burnin’ Rubber
• Redesigned case with two joystick ports and an analogue-compatible port

Historical Significance

• The most capable official member of the CPC family
• Shared its enhanced architecture and cartridge format with the 464 Plus and GX4000 console
• Extended the useful life of the CPC software base while adding new game-oriented hardware
• Faced strong competition from established 16-bit computers and consoles at launch
• Its short market life left relatively little software that fully exploited the Plus hardware

Collectors Notes

• The system cartridge is essential for normal BASIC operation and is often missing from loose computers
• The 3-inch drive belt is a common failure point and may need replacement
• Original gamepads, monitor, manuals and bundled cartridge increase desirability
• The pale case can yellow, while cartridge and edge connectors may need cleaning
• Use a correct Plus-series power and video solution if the original monitor is absent

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Amstrad 6128 Plus
Manufacturer	Amstrad
Launched	Saturday, September 1, 1990
Discontinued	1992
Launch Price	£329 with MM12 monochrome monitor; £429 with CM14 colour monitor
Country	United Kingdom
CPU	Zilog Z80A
Units Sold
Power	Powered through the dedicated Amstrad MM12 or CM14 monitor
Expansion	Expansion bus, second-drive and printer ports, two digital joystick ports, analogue port, RGB/video and stereo audio
Storage	Built-in 3-inch single-sided floppy drive, about 180KB per side; cartridge slot
Keyboard	Full-size QWERTY keyboard with numeric keypad and separate cursor keys
Sound	General Instrument AY-3-8912, 3 voices; ASIC-assisted DMA sound playback
ROM	System firmware and Locomotive BASIC supplied on cartridge
RAM	128KB in two 64KB banks
Graphics	Custom ASIC with 16 hardware sprites, smooth scrolling, raster interrupts and a 4,096-colour palette
Display	Original CPC modes: 160 × 200 in 16 colours, 320 × 200 in 4 colours, or 640 × 200 in 2 colours
CPU Speed	4 MHz