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EXL 100

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EXL 100
DeveloperExelvision
TypeHome computer
Generation8-bit
Release dateFrance: 1984; 41 years ago (1984)
Lifespan1984
Introductory price3,190 FF
Units sold9000 used in schools
MediaCassette tape, cartridges, floppy disk (optional)
Operating systemNone (ExelBasic on cartridge)
CPUTMS 7020 @ 4.9 MHz
Memory34 KB RAM, 4 KB ROM
Display40 x 25 character text mode, 320 x 250 pixel graphics mode, 8 colors
GraphicsTMS 3556
SoundTMS 5220 (with speech synthesis in French)
SuccessorExeltel

The EXL 100 is a computer released in 1984[1] by the French brand Exelvision, based on the TMS 7020[2] microprocessor from Texas Instruments.[3][4] This was an uncommon design choice (at the time almost all home computers either used 6502 or Z80 microprocessors) but justified by the fact that the engineering team behind the machine (Jacques Palpacuer, Victor Zebrouck and Christian Petiot) came from Texas instruments.[5] It was part of the government Computing for All plan and 9000 units were used in schools.[1]

Design

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The design is unusual compared with similar machines of the time, as it had a separate central unit. Two keyboards were available: one with rubber keys and another with a more standard touch. Keyboard and joystick were not connected to the central unit by a cable but by infrared link, and are battery powered.[6][3][7] Many extensions were available: modem, floppy disk drive and a 16 KB CMOS RAM powered by an integrated lithium battery. Its TMS 5220 sound processor was capable of French speech synthesis,[8] another unusual feature.

Specifications

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Variants

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A version with an integrated V23 modem named Exeltel was released in 1986.[11]

Software

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The machine came with a BASIC version on cartridge named ExelBasic.[12][13][14][15][16][17][18] There are more 140 games for the system.[19]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Exelvision EXL-100". nIGHTFALL Blog. 2018.
  2. ^ a b Shvets, Gennadiy (2023). "Texas Instruments TMS7020NL". CPU-World. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  3. ^ a b "EXELVISION > EXL 100". OLD-COMPUTERS.COM : The Museum. Archived from the original on 5 February 2023.
  4. ^ Novo, David (2003-04-26). "Exelvision EXL 100". Web8bits.com.
  5. ^ Montupet (2024). "Exelvision, des hommes aux vision d'excellence". Exelvision - « L'informatique facile à vivre ! ».
  6. ^ "Exelvision EXL-100: storia, informazioni e fotografie". myretrocomputing.altervista.org.
  7. ^ "Exelvision informations techniques". www.silicium.org. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  8. ^ a b c d "Computer's description EXL 100". 1000 BiT - Computer's description.
  9. ^ Shvets, Gennadiy (2023). "Texas Instruments 7000 microcontroller family". CPU-world. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  10. ^ TMS 3556 Video Display Processor (PDF). Texas Instruments.
  11. ^ NECK, Fabien (2022). "Exelvision - Exeltel". System.cfg. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
  12. ^ "Exelvision - Exelbasic". www.ti99.com. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  13. ^ "Exelvision - Le langage Exelbasic". www.ti99.com. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  14. ^ "EXELBASIC EXELVISION EXL100 FREEWARES PROJECTS". miniordi.free.fr. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  15. ^ "Exelbasic +". dcexel.free.fr. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  16. ^ "Initiation à L'EXELBASIC Vol. 3, Exelvision EXL 100 cass. by Exelvision (198?)". www.arcade-history.com. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  17. ^ Motoschifo. "ExelBASIC - MAME software". adb.arcadeitalia.net (in Italian). Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  18. ^ "1000 BiT - Computer's description". www.1000bit.it. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  19. ^ "Listing of all Exelvision EXL 100 games". The Video Games Museum. Retrieved 2025-03-06.