Sharp MZ-80K

The Sharp MZ-80K was one of Japan’s pioneering personal computers. Released in 1978 as a semi-kit, it integrated a keyboard, cassette recorder and 10-inch monochrome CRT into a single enclosure built around a Z80-compatible processor.

Its influential Clean Computer design stored only a small monitor program in ROM and loaded BASIC or other languages from cassette, allowing the same hardware to run different programming environments.

Notable Features

• All-in-one enclosure with keyboard, cassette recorder and 10-inch CRT.
• Clean Computer architecture loaded BASIC and other languages from cassette rather than ROM.
• Originally supplied as a semi-kit with major assemblies pre-built and tested.

Historical Significance

• One of the representative computers of Japan’s early personal-computer boom.
• Established the architecture and philosophy used by the long-running Sharp MZ family.

Collector's Notes

• Early keyboard switches, cassette mechanisms and CRT electronics commonly need careful restoration.
• Complete systems with original tapes, manuals and protective cover are especially desirable.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Sharp MZ-80K
Manufacturer	Sharp
Launched	Thursday, January 12, 1978
Discontinued	1980
Launch Price	Approximately ¥198,000 in Japan; £600 at UK introduction
Country	Japan
CPU	Sharp LH0080, Zilog Z80-compatible
Units Sold	Approximately 100,000
Architecture	Sharp Clean Computer system
Sound	Programmable tone output
Keyboard	Typewriter-style keyboard
Storage	Integrated cassette recorder
Graphics	Character-based semigraphics
Text	40 × 25 characters
Display	Integrated green monochrome CRT
ROM	Monitor ROM; language loaded from cassette
RAM	48KB
CPU Speed	Approximately 2 MHz