Oric Stratos Prototype

The Oric Stratos, also announced as the IQ164, was the intended professional successor to the Atmos. It added 64KB RAM, twin cartridge connectors, an integrated floppy controller and substantially improved communications interfaces while retaining compatibility with existing Oric software.

Oric demonstrated the computer at the Frankfurt show on 1 February 1985, but its parent entered receivership the following day. Only development machines existed; the design later formed the basis of the French Telestrat.

Notable Features

• Twin cartridge connectors supported language and application ROMs simultaneously.
• Integrated Shugart-compatible floppy controller and stronger power supply supported two drives.
• RS-232, Centronics and planned modem interfaces targeted communications use.

Historical Significance

• The final computer developed by the original Oric organisation.
• Its appearance immediately before receivership made it one of British computing’s most dramatically mistimed launches.

Collector’s Notes

• Stratos and IQ164 refer to the same pre-production development.
• Surviving units are prototypes; the later Telestrat is a related production machine rather than merely a renamed Atmos.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Oric Stratos Prototype
Manufacturer	Oric Products International
Launched	Friday, February 1, 1985
Country	United Kingdom
CPU	MOS Technology 6502A at 1 MHz
Units Sold
Operating System	Cartridge-based BASIC and planned Stratos operating environment
I/O	RS-232, Centronics, modem, cartridge, disk and Oric expansion
Keyboard	Full-travel keyboard
Storage	Cassette and integrated controller for two 3-inch drives
Sound	AY-3-8912 three-channel sound plus noise
Graphics	240 x 200 pixels in eight colours
Display	40-column text
ROM	Cartridge-based language and system firmware
RAM	64KB
CPU Speed	1 MHz