The Epson QX-10 is a microcomputer running CP/M or TPM-III (CP/M-80 compatible) which was introduced in 1983. It was based on a Zilog Z80 microprocessor, running at 4 MHz. The QX-10 provided up to 256K of RAM organized in four switchable banks, and included a separate graphics processor chip (µPD7220) manufactured by NEC to provide advanced graphics capabilities. In the USA, two versions were launched; a basic CP/M configuration with 64 K RAM and the HASCI configuration with 256 K RAM and the special HASCI keyboard to be used with the bundled application suite, called Valdocs. The European and Japanese versions were like the CP/M configurations. TPM-III was used for Valdocs and some copy protected programs like Logo Professor.

The machine had internal extension slots, which could be used for extra serial ports, network cards or third party extensions like an Intel 8088 processor, adding MS-DOS compatibility.

Rising Star Industries was the primary American software vendor for the HASCI QX series. Their product line included the TPM-II and III operating system, Valdocs, a robust Basic language implementation, a graphics API library used by a variety of products which initially supported line drawing and fill functions and was later extended to support the QX-16 color boards, Z80 assembler, and low level Zapple machine code monitor which could be invoked from dip switch setting on the rear of the machine.

Origin: Japan 1983
K/Board Full stroke 103-key with numeric keypad and function keys
CPU Zilog Z80-A
Speed 4 Mhz.
RAM 64 KB (up to 256 KB) + 2 KB CMOS RAM Battery Backup
VRAM 32 KB to 128 KB
ROM 2 to 8 KB
TEXT MODES 80 columns x 24 lines
GRAPHIC MODES 640 x 400 pixels plus 16:1 Zoom
Monochrome monitor
Size/Weight 50.8 (W) x 30.4 (D) x 10.3 (H) (CPU) / 9.4 Kg (CPU), 5.5 Kg. (Monitor), 2.5 Kg. (Keyboard)
I/O Ports RS232, video, ADC, IEEE 488, 5 x expansion slots
One or two 340 KB 5.25'' disk-drives double side/density
OS CP/M 80, TP/M
POWER SUPPLY Built-in PSU 100 Watts
PRICE $2,900 - £1735 (U.K., 1984) 1990 FF (France, january 1988)

From starringthecomputer.com:
Chocky's Challenge (1986)
The Q-10 is used as a front-end processor for the computer controlling a radio telescope.

Pirates of Silicon Valley (1999)
Apple acquire an NEC machine (in fact a QX-10) from Japan to get their first look at Windows.
Obviously, the QX-10 was not made by NEC, but also it was not capable of running Windows.

Our system is complete with the original keyboard, Monitor, Software and Manuals and was very kindly donated by Martin Cahn.

Manual include:
QZ-10 Command Summary 1983 Ref: 83.02-0.2
QX-10 Operation Manual 1983 Ref: 83.02-0.2
QX-10 MFBASIC Reference Manual 1983 #Ref: QB294006-0  Y 13099001   83.02-0.2
The FinalWord word processor from Mark of the Unicorn, which became Borland's Sprint, featured a markup language which resembled a simplified version of Scribe. Final Word's text processor, in turn, resembled Mark of the Unicorn's CP/M based MINCE ("MINCE Is Not Complete Emacs"). Version 1.1 November 1st 1982 Manual

Software
QX-10  Multifonts CP/M Ver 2.2 & Multifonts BASIC Ver 1.3 dated 2nd June 1983

Documentation includes Invoice dated 21/11/83 £2655.00 including printer

Manufacturer: Epson
Date: 1983

This exhibit has a reference ID of CH19939. Please quote this reference ID in any communication with the Centre for Computing History.

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