A computer with a really oversize chassis popped up in 1984 computer magazines .

The Oriental name (Taiwanese) was fantasizing about very innovative technologies (but it was manufactured in Telford, near Birmingham).
Instead the Tatung Einstein TC-01 " danced a single summer " (or a little more): it was not very successful despite some very interesting features.

The panorama was already overcrowded with the 8 bits based on the Z80 and the Tatung has technical characteristics already very similar to those of the MSX (shortly thereafter ...):
- Z80 4 MHz processor,
64 KB of RAM and 16 KB of VRam,
- 256 x 192 graphics in 16 colors,
- audio based on the ubiquitous AY-3-8910.

In reality, although not compatible with the MSX it is a ' quasi-MSX ' which is decidedly different from the other home computers of the time.
Also because it wasn't a home computer!

The initial positioning was that of small business computers also thanks to some interesting features:
- single or double 3 "floppy, (where the other home computers lived on audio cassettes), although not very reliable,
- a REAL keyboard still solid and well configured,
- a very sturdy chassis with an indestructible war power supply…
- optional 80-video (mono) card for video (a must for business users),
- dedicated mono and color monitors,
- serial, parallel ports etc ...

 

I found numerous references on the real use of Einstein: as a computer for real geeks and enthusiasts, and not just as a development system for other computers (Sinclair ZX Spectrum in particular), thanks to the stability of the power supply, the serial ports and to the system bus that allowed unlikely interfacing with the target computer (ZX Spectrum, yet).

Some also report the use with 3.5 "drives (a first system hack), for the study of copy protection systems ... for Atari ST!
The key to everything lies in the architecture of the system and the MOS (Machine Operating System) that actually started the computer: neither DOS nor Basic (as usual, at the time), a system Monitor that allowed the main operations of departure (from disk) and that constituted the obligatory initial step.

Numerous programming languages ​​are available, starting from the very complete Basic XTal, to BBC Basic (exactly that of BBC Micro), but also Fortran and Pascal as well as of course Assembler, Disassembler and Debugger.
The operating system, XTal / DOS was compatible with CP / M (at the time very widespread but already in decline).

One of the most interesting peripherals is certainly the Speculator : a low-cost external box (£ 49.99) that allowed the most complete ZX Spectrum emulation, including the LOAD / SAVE from cassettes.

An expanded version, revised and corrected, called Einstein 256 (from the amount in KBytes of RAM) was released after just over a year and had even less luck, decreeing the end of this computer adventure.

Incredible as it may seem, this computer can count on a small number of fans who still keep the spirit alive and exchange the (little) software, making the user community alive.
I emphasize that, through the excellent MESS, it is possible to emulate it on PC / Mac: for anyone who wanted to try it for himself ...

Sources: Wikipedia , Old-Computers-com , Tatung Einstein Reborn .