The Nascom 2, released in 1979, was the successor to the Nascom 1 (1978). Like its predecessor this single-board computer was available in kit or ready-built form. The kit had 281 components, resulting in well over a thousand soldering points, meaning that the kit was only suitable for those with experience. It cost just under £300 +VAT.

The Nascom 2 was based on the Z-80A processor, which ran at 2 or 4MHz. It had 10K of ROM - 2K for the NAS-SYS-1 monitor and 8K for BASIC, and 10K of 4118 RAM, 1K which is used for the screen memory.

The kit included a 57-key full alpha-numeric keyboard, video interface, and audio cassette interface (Kansas City standard, 300 or 1200 baud). The inclusion of a full keyboard and video display interface was uncommon in this era with most microcomputer kits at the time only being delivered with a hexadecimal keypad and 7-seg display.

The display of the Nascom 2 consisted of 48 columns by 16 rows, white characters on black background with no graphics. It was possible to purchase an add-on Graphics Chip (approx price £20 in 1980) for the Nascom 2 that added a further 128 Graphics Characters. The built-in Microsoft Basic (8K ROM) interpreter could use these graphics to create a primitive and blocky-like 96 x 48 graphics display.

Our Nascom 2 computer is complete with a case and monitor. We have all of the documentation for the machine and the construction manual. This has been very kindly donated by Mr Wal Haywood from West Cumbria.

The Keyboard part number is 55-309053 and the Serial No: 036248 50/79

Manufacturer: Nascom Ltd
Date: 1st December 1979

This exhibit has a reference ID of CH1525. Please quote this reference ID in any communication with the Centre for Computing History.