Amstrad PC1512

Launched on 2 September 1986, the Amstrad PC1512 brought IBM PC-compatible computing to a much wider European audience. Its entry-level £399 package combined an 8 MHz Intel 8086 processor, 512KB of RAM, a 5.25-inch floppy drive, monitor, keyboard and mouse in a compact system aimed at homes and small businesses.

The PC1512 ran MS-DOS and Digital Research GEM and offered unusually capable colour graphics for a low-cost PC. Amstrad integrated the power supply into the monitor and supplied several disk and hard-drive configurations, helping establish a new price benchmark for complete PC-compatible systems.

Notable Features

• 8 MHz Intel 8086 processor and 512KB of RAM
• Integrated graphics supported standard CGA modes plus a 640 × 200 16-colour mode
• Available with one or two 360KB 5.25-inch floppy drives or a 20MB hard disk
• Bundled mouse and Digital Research GEM graphical environment
• Three internal 8-bit expansion slots
• Monitor housed the system power supply, reducing desktop clutter

Historical Significance

• Launched in Europe on 2 September 1986 as Amstrad’s first IBM PC-compatible
• Its £399 entry price challenged the high cost of established PC systems and clones
• Helped make DOS-compatible computing practical for homes and small businesses
• Sold in several European countries through Amstrad’s regional partners
• Established the foundation for Amstrad’s extensive PC-compatible range

Collectors Notes

• The original monitor is normally required because it contains the computer’s power supply
• A battery compartment beneath the monitor preserves the clock and configuration; inspect it for leakage
• Configurations range from single-floppy monochrome systems to colour and 20MB hard-disk models
• The Amstrad mouse uses a proprietary connector despite operating like a conventional serial mouse
• Original system disks, GEM software, keyboard, mouse and matching monitor add greatly to completeness

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Amstrad PC1512
Manufacturer	Amstrad
Launched	Tuesday, September 2, 1986
Discontinued	1987
Launch Price	From £399 plus VAT for the single-drive monochrome system
Country	United Kingdom
CPU	Intel 8086
Units Sold
Power	Power supply integrated into the matching Amstrad monitor
Expansion	Three internal 8-bit ISA-compatible expansion slots; serial and parallel interfaces
Storage	One or two 360KB 5.25-inch floppy drives; selected models included a 20MB hard disk
Keyboard	Separate full-size keyboard with function keys and numeric keypad
Sound	PC speaker
Operating System	MS-DOS 3.2 and DOS Plus; Digital Research GEM supplied
RAM	512KB
Graphics	Amstrad integrated CGA-compatible graphics; monochrome or colour monitor options
Display	CGA-compatible modes plus 640 × 200 in 16 colours with suitable software
CPU Speed	8 MHz