Amstrad PC1640

Released in June 1987, the Amstrad PC1640 refined Amstrad’s successful low-cost PC compatible with 640KB of RAM and integrated Enhanced Graphics Adapter support. It retained the 8 MHz Intel 8086 processor and compact desktop layout of the PC1512, while offering higher-resolution colour graphics and a broader range of monitor and storage configurations.

The PC1640 could be ordered with one or two 5.25-inch floppy drives or a 20MB hard disk and was supplied with DOS and Digital Research GEM. Its capable graphics and aggressive pricing made it a popular home and small-business PC across Europe.

Notable Features

• 8 MHz Intel 8086 processor and the conventional maximum 640KB of DOS memory
• Integrated graphics supported MDA, Hercules, CGA and EGA-compatible display modes
• 256KB of dedicated video memory enabled 640 × 350 graphics in 16 colours from a palette of 64
• Available with one or two 360KB 5.25-inch floppy drives or a 20MB hard disk
• Bundled mouse, DOS and Digital Research GEM
• Three internal 8-bit expansion slots

Historical Significance

• Built on the PC1512’s success while making EGA-class graphics affordable
• Helped establish Amstrad as a major supplier of home and small-business PCs in Europe
• Offered a complete system at prices that placed pressure on both established manufacturers and clone builders
• Marketed in the United States as the PC6400

Collectors Notes

• The original monitor is normally required because it contains the system power supply
• Monitor choices included monochrome, CGA colour and EGA colour models
• Inspect the monitor’s battery compartment for leakage before powering the system
• Hard-disk examples may need careful assessment because original MFM drives can fail with age
• Matching keyboard, proprietary mouse, monitor and original system disks are important parts of a complete setup

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Amstrad PC1640
Manufacturer	Amstrad
Launched	Monday, June 1, 1987
Discontinued	Late 1980s
Launch Price	From approximately £499 plus VAT, depending on monitor and storage configuration
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 and DOS Plus; Digital Research GEM supplied
RAM	640KB
Graphics	Integrated MDA, Hercules, CGA and EGA-compatible graphics with 256KB video memory
Display	Up to 640 × 350 in 16 colours from a palette of 64 with the EGA colour monitor
CPU Speed	8 MHz