Tatung Einstein TC-01

The Tatung Einstein TC-01 was a British-designed Z80 computer combining colourful graphics, programmable sound and a built-in 3-inch floppy drive. Although its video and sound chips resembled those used by MSX computers, the Einstein was a separate and incompatible design.

Its reliable disk system and CP/M-compatible Xtal DOS made the Einstein attractive to software developers, schools and small businesses. The substantial case could accept a second internal drive and was shaped to support a matching monitor.

Notable Features

• Built-in 3-inch floppy storage was unusual among 1984 home computers.
• TMS9129 graphics provided 16 colours and 32 sprites, with AY-3-8910 sound.
• Xtal DOS offered a friendlier CP/M-compatible working environment.

Historical Significance

• Designed at Tatung’s Bradford laboratory and manufactured in Telford, England.
• Found a niche as a Z80 software-development machine despite modest retail sales.

Collector’s Notes

• The uncommon 3-inch drive and disks need careful maintenance.
• A complete system includes the master disk, manuals and often the matching Tatung monitor.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Tatung Einstein TC-01
Manufacturer	Tatung
Launched	Monday, October 1, 1984
Discontinued	Mid-1980s
Launch Price	£499
Country	United Kingdom
CPU	Zilog Z80A at 4 MHz
Units Sold
Operating System	MOS; Xtal DOS; Xtal BASIC; CP/M-compatible software
I/O	RS-232, Centronics, user, Z80 bus, external disk and two joystick ports
Keyboard	Full-travel keyboard with eight function keys
Storage	One 3-inch floppy drive standard; second internal or external drive supported
Sound	General Instrument AY-3-8910, three tone channels plus noise
Graphics	Texas Instruments TMS9129, 256x192, 16 colours and 32 sprites
Display	Television or RGB/YUV monitor; 32x24 or 40x24 text
ROM	8KB, internally expandable to 32KB
RAM	64KB main RAM and 16KB video RAM
CPU Speed	4 MHz