Challenger 2P

From: Adam Jenkins <adam_at_merlin.net.au>
Date: Sun Aug 31 21:45:20 1997

>John R. Keys Jr. wrote:
>
>> Picked up few new finds this week. 1. A Challenger 2P (Model C2-4P) by
>> Ohio
>> Scientific SN5040. Anyone have spec's on this one?
>
>Interesting find! I have the Ohio Scientific Challlenger II, Model C2-4P,
>S/N732 and haven't found much info on it. The machine was obtained from a
>friend of a friend and no docs or anything came with it. So I also would be
>interested in any information you find out about this machine!

I don't have much, but I can give some of what I know. Ohio Scientific
made, or so I gather, four 8 bit home computers - the C1P, C2P, C4P and
C8P. Most of my info seems to be on the C8P, which was regarded as The Home
Computer of the Future largely due to its ability to control your security
system, electrical appliances (like lights), smoke alarms and so on, as
well as being able to dial up the police when needed.

The C2P, according to the little I have here, was a CIP with more ports, as
the IP had but one. Thus the info I have on specs is mostly for the 1P, not
the 2P, so I will give that in case it helps.

Anyway, the IP is said to have been the first fully packaged home computer
that you could just plug in and use. It came with either the MOS 6502 or
Motorola 6800 cpu as standard (depending on your requirements) and had a
CPU expansion board, allowing the addition of a Z80 or one of several other
popular CPU's. It had a standard 53 key keyboard, upper and lower case
letters, and 64 char by 24 line mono video. 4k or 12K RAM was standard,
with8k BASIC in ROM.

Sorry that I don't have more, but my interest tends to lie in the history,
rather than the specs. Just for fun, it is worth noting that Ohio
Scientific is noted for being the first PC Company to have a woman (Charity
Engel Cheiky, I think) as President.

Adam.
Received on Sun Aug 31 1997 - 21:45:20 BST