Amstrad Mega PC

Introduced in the United Kingdom in December 1992 and released more widely in 1993, the Amstrad Mega PC combined an IBM-compatible personal computer with licensed Sega Mega Drive hardware. A sliding front panel switched between its 25 MHz Intel 80386SX PC and the cartridge-based console built onto an internal expansion card.

The PC included 1MB of RAM, a 40MB hard disk, a 1.44MB floppy drive and Super VGA graphics, while the Mega Drive section used its own Motorola 68000 and Sega-compatible audio and video hardware. A dual-sync monitor displayed both systems, but the £999.99 launch price limited the machine’s appeal.

Notable Features

• 25 MHz 80386SX PC and separate Sega Mega Drive hardware
• Front slider switched controls and cartridge access between PC and console modes
• 40MB hard disk and 1.44MB 3.5-inch floppy drive
• Dedicated dual-sync monitor supported both VGA and 15kHz Mega Drive video
• Supplied with keyboard, mouse and Sega-compatible controller

Historical Significance

• One of the most unusual attempts to combine a home PC and games console
• Produced by Amstrad under licence from Sega
• High launch price and modest PC specification limited sales
• Now remembered as a distinctive crossover between DOS and console gaming

Collectors Notes

• The original dual-sync monitor is important because it supports both video frequencies
• Inspect the motherboard battery for leakage
• Mega Drive cartridge contacts and front slider require careful checking
• Complete systems with monitor, controller, keyboard and mouse are scarce and desirable

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Amstrad Mega PC
Manufacturer	Amstrad
Launched	Tuesday, December 1, 1992
Discontinued	1994
Launch Price	£999.99 with dual-sync monitor and accessories
Country	United Kingdom
CPU	Intel 80386SX and Motorola 68000
Units Sold
Power	Approximately 50W; 110/220–240V auto-switching
Display	Supplied 14-inch dual-sync monitor supporting PC VGA and Mega Drive RGB
Expansion	Two 16-bit ISA slots, one occupied by the Mega Drive card
Storage	40MB hard disk, 1.44MB 3.5-inch floppy drive and Mega Drive cartridge slot
Sound	AdLib-compatible Yamaha YM3812 on PC side; Sega Mega Drive FM and PSG audio
Operating System	MS-DOS 5.0 with Amstrad Desktop and Counterpoint
RAM	1MB PC RAM, expandable to 16MB
Graphics	Western Digital SVGA with 256KB video RAM; separate Sega Mega Drive graphics hardware
Console CPU Speed	Motorola 68000 at approximately 7.67 MHz PAL
PC CPU Speed	25 MHz