Philips VG 8000

The Philips VG 8000 was the company’s first MSX home computer, offering standard cartridge software, cassette storage and colour television output in a compact low-cost case.

It introduced Philips customers to the international MSX platform and began a substantial European MSX product family.

Notable Features

• MSX1 compatibility
• Compact entry-level design
• International and regional keyboard/video variants

Historical Significance

• It introduced Philips customers to the international MSX platform and began a substantial European MSX product family.

Collector’s Notes

• The small standard memory limits software unless expanded; regional suffixes should be documented.
• Memory, storage, displays and expansion hardware should be documented because configurations often changed during a system’s working life.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Philips VG 8000
Manufacturer	Philips
Launched	Sunday, January 1, 1984
Launch Price	Approximately ƒ899
Country	Netherlands
CPU	Zilog Z80A
Units Sold
Form Factor	Keyboard console
Power	Internal or external mains supply depending on model
Networking	None built in
Operating System	MSX BASIC
Expansion / I/O	Cartridge slots, cassette, two joystick ports, printer and display outputs
Keyboard	Integrated keyboard
Storage	Cartridge and cassette; optional floppy disk
Sound	AY-3-8910 three-voice PSG plus noise
Colours	16
Graphics	TMS9929A: 256 x 192 pixels with sprites
Display	Television or monitor
ROM	32 KB MSX BIOS and BASIC
RAM	16 KB
CPU Speed	3.58 MHz