Ohio Scientific Challenger 1P, Exidy Sorcerer, Apple II+, PET/CBM 3032, TRS 80 Model 1, Atari 400, Osborne 1a, System 80/Video Genie/PMC 80, IBM PC, ZX 81, TRS-80 Colour Computer 1, Vic 20, Epson HX 20, BBC B, ZX Spectrum, Kaypro II, Eaca Colour Genie, RX 8800, Apple IIe, Apple Lisa 2, Atari 800XL, TRS-80 Model 100 and NEC 8201a, Commodore  64, Commodore 64C, Commodore  SX-64, Spectravideo 318, IBM XT, Mattel  Aquarius, TRS-80 Model 4, Sinclair QL, IBM AT, Kaypro 4, Telecom Computerphone, Atari 130XE, Spectravideo 728 (MSX), Amiga 500, Atari 1040ST, IBM PS/2 30-286, Compaq SLT/286, IBM PS/2 70, Mac SE/30, Mac  Classic II, Mac Powerbook 145B, Generic 386-DX 40

Spectravideo 318 (SV-318)

If flamboyance and kitsch is what you’re after, there is no going past the Spectravideo 318.

Let loose on the home market in 1983, and with reasonable credentials (32 KB RAM, Z80A chip at 3.6Mhz, good version of BASIC), the tape-based 318 never made much of a splash. The market was just too crowded and the chiclet keyboard probably didn't help either.

I enjoy the appearance of this computer, and always drag it out to show friends. It looks like it belongs on the 1960s in a toybox somewhere! It's a lot more interesting that it's bigger brother, the 328, which is really just a platter of boring keys.

The little red joystick is eyecatching. More for appearance than actually being useful, but there are ports for plugging external joysticks into.

This unit arrived in early 2008 complete with tape drive, a plethora of manuals and some (but not much) software. The latter issue has now been remedied. No repairs were needed other than a good clean. The past owners seem to have been caring types.

A neat little number I'm happy to call my own.

Want to know more about this micro? Google is your friend.

This page last edited 11th August, 2009

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