Sharp MZ-2500

The Sharp MZ-2500, widely known as the Super MZ, was the culmination of Sharp’s 8-bit professional computer line. Released on 1 October 1985, it combined a 6 MHz Z80B processor with advanced colour graphics, FM sound, floppy storage and compatibility modes for the MZ-80B and MZ-2000.

With up to 256KB of bank-switched RAM, 256-colour graphics and sophisticated Japanese text support, the MZ-2500 was among the most technically ambitious 8-bit personal computers ever sold.

Notable Features

• 6 MHz Z80B with 128KB RAM standard and expansion to 256KB.
• Graphics offered up to 256 colours at 320 × 200 or 16 colours at higher resolutions.
• Compatibility modes supported much of the MZ-80B and MZ-2000 software library.

Historical Significance

• Represented the technical peak of Sharp’s original 8-bit MZ architecture.
• Combined professional Japanese text handling with graphics and sound suitable for games and creative software.

Collector's Notes

• MZ-2511, MZ-2520, MZ-2521 and MZ-2531 configurations differed in drives, recorder and ROM options.
• Original keyboard, disks and expansion boards are important because replacements are scarce.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Sharp MZ-2500
Manufacturer	Sharp
Launched	Thursday, January 10, 1985
Discontinued	Late 1980s
Launch Price	From ¥168,000 for the MZ-2511
Country	Japan
CPU	Zilog Z80B-compatible processor at 6 MHz
Units Sold
Bundled Software	Human68k and a conversion of Gradius
Ports	RS-232C, two joystick ports, keyboard, mouse and audio/video connections
Expansion	Two expansion slots
Operating System	Human68k 1.0
Storage	Two 5.25-inch 1.2MB floppy drives; SASI hard-disk interface
Sound	Yamaha YM2151 eight-channel FM synthesis and OKI MSM6258 ADPCM
Display	Multiple modes from 256 × 256 to 1024 × 1024
Graphics	Sharp custom graphics chipset with 128 sprites and up to 65,536 colours
RAM	1MB standard, expandable to 12MB
CPU Speed	10 MHz