Sord M100ACE

The Sord M100ACE brought the company’s microcomputer technology into a more accessible desktop package for small businesses, education and technically minded users. Its Z80 processor, BASIC environment and mini-floppy options supported both programming and practical office work.

The ACE family appeared in several configurations, including the better-equipped M100ACE III. Memory, screen layout and disk capacity therefore vary in surviving documentation, but the range helped bridge Sord’s development systems and later integrated business computers.

Notable Features

• Z80 desktop system offered in several memory and floppy configurations.
• Sord BASIC and disk software supported programming and small-business work.
• The M100ACE III was sold as a higher-specification member of the family.

Historical Significance

• Extended the M100 series announced in 1978 into a more polished commercial system.
• Helped establish Sord in Japan’s emerging personal and small-business computer market.

Collector’s Notes

• ACE, ACE II and ACE III specifications should be checked against the exact badge and disk unit.
• Original disk drives and Sord software are important because replacements are difficult to source.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Sord M100ACE
Manufacturer	Sord Computer Corporation
Launched	Monday, January 1, 1979
Discontinued	Early 1980s
Launch Price	¥370,000 for the M100ACE III
Country	Japan
CPU	Zilog Z80 at 2 MHz
Units Sold
Operating System	Sord OS and Sord Extended BASIC
I/O	Serial, parallel and expansion interfaces
Keyboard	Separate full-size keyboard
Storage	One or two 5.25-inch mini-floppy drives
Sound	Internal beeper
Graphics	Character display
Display	Monochrome monitor, commonly 64x24 text
ROM	Approximately 8KB
RAM	Up to 48KB; configuration dependent
CPU Speed	2 MHz