Amstrad PCW 8512

Released in 1986, the Amstrad PCW 8512 expanded Amstrad’s successful word-processing system with 512KB of RAM and a second, higher-capacity 3-inch disk drive. It retained the 4 MHz Zilog Z80A processor, green-screen monitor, separate keyboard and supplied dot-matrix printer of the PCW 8256.

The additional memory created a much larger RAM disk under CP/M Plus, while the second drive made document and program storage more convenient. Locoscript remained the system’s principal application, giving homes and small businesses an integrated word-processing package at a fraction of the price of many dedicated office systems.

Notable Features

• 512KB of RAM, twice the capacity of the PCW 8256
• Two built-in 3-inch disk drives, including a higher-capacity second drive
• Locoscript word processor and CP/M Plus business operating system
• High-resolution 90-column green-screen display optimized for text
• Supplied as a complete package with separate keyboard and dot-matrix printer
• Large RAM disk improved performance in CP/M applications

Historical Significance

• Extended the successful PCW formula for users with larger documents and more demanding business software
• Demonstrated that an inexpensive dedicated word-processing package could also serve as a general CP/M computer
• Helped the PCW range become one of Amstrad’s strongest product families
• Popular with writers, students and small businesses throughout Europe

Collectors Notes

• The computer and power supply are integrated into the monitor
• It must boot from disk, making working system and Locoscript disks important
• Both 3-inch drives may need new belts, and the two drives use different mechanisms and capacities
• The included printer is designed specifically for the PCW package
• Complete systems with keyboard, printer, disks and manuals are the most representative examples

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Amstrad PCW 8512
Manufacturer	Amstrad
Launched	Wednesday, January 1, 1986
Discontinued	Late 1980s
Launch Price	£499 plus VAT, including monitor, keyboard, printer and software
Country	United Kingdom
CPU	Zilog Z80A
Units Sold
Expansion	Optional CPS8256 serial and Centronics parallel interface
Printer	Included 9-pin dot-matrix printer with tractor and single-sheet feed
Storage	Two built-in 3-inch floppy drives: 180KB per side in drive A and up to 720KB in drive B
Keyboard	Separate full-size keyboard with numeric keypad and dedicated function keys
Sound	Internal beeper
System Software	Locoscript word processor and CP/M Plus loaded from disk
RAM	512KB, providing approximately 368KB as a RAM disk under CP/M Plus
Graphics	Monochrome bitmapped display generated in software
Display	720 × 256 monochrome green-screen display; 90 columns × 32 lines for text
CPU Speed	4 MHz