Sharp MZ-1500

The Sharp MZ-1500 was a Japanese home computer derived from the MZ-700 architecture. Released in June 1984, it added a built-in Quick Disk drive, programmable character graphics and improved sound while maintaining strong compatibility with MZ-700 software.

The compact Quick Disk system provided faster loading than cassette tape, while the enhanced graphics and audio made the MZ-1500 a more capable entertainment computer for the Japanese market.

Notable Features

• Built-in Quick Disk drive stored 64KB on each side of a reversible disk.
• Programmable character generator expanded the MZ-700-style display.
• Enhanced sound and high MZ-700 software compatibility.

Historical Significance

• Represented Sharp’s Japanese-market evolution of the MZ-700 family.
• Its Quick Disk format anticipated the same underlying medium later used by other consumer systems.

Collector's Notes

• Quick Disk media and working drives are increasingly scarce.
• Although related to the European MZ-800, the MZ-1500 has distinct Japanese-market hardware and software characteristics.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Sharp MZ-1500
Manufacturer	Sharp
Launched	Friday, January 6, 1984
Discontinued	Mid to late 1980s
Launch Price	¥89,800
Country	Japan
CPU	Sharp LH0080A, Zilog Z80A-compatible
Units Sold
Architecture	Sharp Clean Computer system
Keyboard	Full typewriter-style keyboard
Expansion	External I/O unit and optional 16-bit board
Storage	Integrated software-controlled cassette recorder; optional floppy storage
Graphics	High-resolution monochrome graphics
Text	40 or 80 columns
Display	Integrated monochrome CRT
ROM	Monitor and hardware-control firmware
RAM	64KB
CPU Speed	4 MHz