Oric Telestrat

The Oric Telestrat was a French production development of the abandoned Stratos design. Eureka Informatique combined Atmos compatibility with cartridge-based firmware, disk control, serial and parallel interfaces and connections intended for the French Minitel telecommunications network.

Its Telemon operating environment supported communications and disk applications, while two cartridge slots allowed languages and specialised software to be installed. Limited production made it far rarer than the Oric-1 or Atmos.

Notable Features

• Telemon firmware integrated disk, communications and cartridge services.
• Twin cartridge slots supported ROM software and language modules.
• Serial and Minitel-oriented connections reflected the importance of French telematics.

Historical Significance

• The only production computer descended from the Oric Stratos project.
• Extended the Oric architecture from home computing into communications and small-office work.

Collector’s Notes

• Production numbers were small and complete systems with drives and cartridges are rare.
• French firmware, keyboard and telecommunications interfaces are integral to its identity.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Oric Telestrat
Manufacturer	Oric Products International
Launched	Tuesday, April 1, 1986
Country	United Kingdom
CPU	MOS Technology 6502A at 1 MHz
Units Sold
Operating System	Telemon; cartridge BASIC and disk operating software
I/O	RS-232, Centronics, Minitel/telephone, two cartridge and disk connectors
Keyboard	Full-travel AZERTY keyboard
Storage	Cassette and external 3-inch floppy drive system
Sound	AY-3-8912 three-channel sound plus noise
Graphics	240 x 200 pixels in eight colours
Display	40-column colour text
ROM	Telemon system firmware with cartridge-based languages
RAM	64KB
CPU Speed	1 MHz