View source for Sharp MZ

{{Short description|Early line of personal computers}}
{{multiple issues|
{{More citations needed|date=January 2013}}
{{lead too short|date=February 2015}}
{{primary sources|date=February 2015}}
{{Original research|date=April 2019}}
}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}

The '''Sharp MZ''' is a series of [[personal computers]] sold in Japan and Europe (particularly Germany and Great Britain) by [[Sharp Corporation|Sharp]] beginning in 1978.

== History ==
[[File:Sharp LH0080A.jpg|thumb|CPU Sharp LH0080A (Z80A compatible)]]
Although commonly believed to stand for "Microcomputer [[Zilog Z80|Z80]]", the term MZ actually has its roots in the MZ-40K, a home computer kit produced by Sharp in 1978 which was based on [[Fujitsu]]'s 4-bit MB8843 processor and provided a simple [[hexadecimal]] [[keypad]] for input. This was soon followed by the {{ill|MZ-80K|jp|MZ-80#MZ-80K}},<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hawes |first1=Maurice |title=A Brief History of the MZ-80K |url=https://original.sharpmz.org/mz-80k/mz80khist.htm |website=Sharp MZ.org |date=September 16, 2002}}</ref> K2, C, and K2E, all of which were based on [[8-bit]] LH0080A Sharp CPU (compatible to Zilog Z80A) with an alphanumeric keyboard.

From the first Z80 processor-based model to the {{ill|MZ-2200|jp|MZ-2200}} in 1983, the MZ computers included the PC, [[computer monitor|monitor]], keyboard, and tape-based recorder in a single unit, similar to Commodore's [[Commodore PET|PET]] series. It was also notable for not including a [[programming language]] or [[operating system]] in [[Read-only memory|ROM]]. This invited a host of third-party companies, starting with [[Hudson Soft]], to produce many languages and OSes for the system. In an era when [[floppy disk]] drives were too expensive for most home users, the MZ's built-in [[cassette tape]] drive was faster and more reliable than the cassette storage on some competing computers;<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mau |first1=Karl-Heinz |title=Technical data of the MZ-80K |url=https://original.sharpmz.org/mz-80k/mztdata.htm |website=Sharp MZ.org |date=August 26, 2002}}</ref>{{dub|reason=not in cited source|date=January 2025}} however, this meant that the MZ series was relatively slow to adopt floppy drives as a standard accessory.

In 1983, after the most popular [[home computer]]s appeared in the [[United Kingdom|UK]], the Sharp MZ-700 was briefly the 10th best selling machine out of 20 considered, beating the [[Apple IIe]], [[Atari 800]] and [[TI-99/4A]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Tony |title=MEGAGRAPH: 1983's UK home computer chart toppers |url=https://www.theregister.com/2013/01/03/charted_1983_home_computer_sales_in_uk/ |website=The Register |date=3 January 2013}}</ref>

In May 2012, Sharp's Japanese [[Twitter]] account announced that they had found a copy of an MZ manual in a warehouse, and were hoping to [[digitization|digitize]] it in the future.<ref name="twitter 2022-05"/> On 21 December 2012, Sharp's Japanese Twitter account announced<ref name="togetter"/><ref name="twitter 2022-12 System Program"/><ref name="twitter 2022-12 BASIC"/> that they had published digital copies of manuals for the MZ-80 on their official website.<ref name="MZ-80K System Program"/><ref name="MZ-80K BASIC"/> It was promoted as a "Christmas present" to fans.<ref name="ITmedia"/>

== Products ==
The MZ series is divided into several lines, including the text-based MZ-80K series, the graphics-based MZ-80B series, and the MZ-3500/5500 series, based on a completely different architecture.

In 1982, Sharp's television division released the [[Sharp X1|X1]], a completely new computer. The X series proved to outsell Sharp's own MZ series, and in response, Sharp released the MZ-1500/2500 machines, which featured powered-up graphics and sound capabilities. However, this series saw little marketplace success, and eventually the company abandoned the line in favor of the [[X68000]] series.

=== MZ-80K group ===
[[File:Sharp MZ-80K computer.jpg|thumb|Sharp MZ-80K]]
[[File:Sharp MZ-700 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Sharp MZ-700 (MZ-721)]]
[[File:Sharp MZ-821.jpg|thumb|Sharp MZ-800 (MZ821)]]
[[File:MZ-1500.jpg|thumb|Sharp MZ-1500]]
The Sharp MZ-80K was one of the popular early consumer-level microcomputers, with an architecture based on the [[Zilog Z80]] 8-bit microprocessor. It was introduced into Europe in 1979. The machine had 48[[kilobyte|KB]] of [[random-access memory|RAM]], 32KB of which was available for user programs (the actual figure was dependent on the memory configuration and the system languages being used). It could run a variety of [[high-level language|high-level languages]] including [[BASIC]], [[Pascal (programming language)|Pascal]] and [[Fortran|FORTRAN]], which had to be loaded into RAM before any programming could be undertaken. It could also be programmed directly in [[assembly language|assembly code]] or [[machine code]]. The machine had an inbuilt monochrome display and a cassette [[tape drive]]. The display, keyboard and cassette drive lifted on hinges to expose the [[motherboard]] and circuitry underneath. Graphics capability was primitive, with only [[semigraphics|preset shapes]] and [[icon (computing)|icons]] being available and no native hi-res capability. This was not unusual for a late-1970s vintage [[microcomputer]]. The main drawback, however, of the MZ-80K was the non-standard keyboard, which was difficult to use.

The MZ-80K sold well in Europe despite its high price (it retailed at over £500 in 1980), and a large range of software was available, including some Japanese arcade games. It was superseded in 1982 by the MZ-80A machine.

* MZ-80K series
** MZ-80K (1978): An all-in-one kit with keyboard.
** MZ-80C: Featured an improved keyboard and 48KB of memory.
** MZ-80K2: The assembled version of the 80K.
** MZ-80K2E: A low-price version of the 80K2.
** MZ-80A (1982)/MZ-1200: An upgraded version of the 80K with improved keyboard, more [[Video random access memory|VRAM]] and a green-screen [[computer monitor|VDU]].
* MZ-700 series (MZ-80K machines with color graphics)
** MZ-700 (1982): The first MZ without a built-in monitor; an optional data recorder and [[plotter]] could also be installed to the machine. More-or-less fully compatible with the MZ-80K.  MZ-711 was the basic model without any peripherals, 721 had a builtin cassette tape drive, 731 had the tape drive and integrated four-color [[plotter]].
** MZ-800 (1983): The first MZ with a 640×200-pixel graphics mode, a [[Texas Instruments SN76489]] sound chip. The model numbers were similar as with the 700 series: 811, 821, and 831.  In some markets like Europe instead of a tape drive the 821 and 831 models had a [[Quick Disk]] drive.  There were also more optional peripherals available, like [[RAM drive|RAM disks]] and [[floppy]] drives.
** MZ-1500 (1984): Available in Japan only. Features 320×200-[[pixel]] graphics and built-in sound capability using two [[Texas Instruments]] SN76489 sound chips. The tape recorder has been replaced with a drive that reads 2.8-inch [[Quick Disk]]s.

=== MZ-80B group ===
[[File:Sharp MZ-80B.jpg|thumb|Sharp MZ-80B]]

This offshoot of the MZ-80K line was primarily marketed for business use.

* MZ-80B series
** MZ-80B (1981): 320×200-pixel graphics. (Extra VRAM optional)
** MZ-80B2: An 80B with extra VRAM installed. Sold alongside the MZ-2000 for most of the lineup's lifetime.
** MZ-2000 (1982): 640×200-pixel [[monochrome monitor]] built-in; color optional. [[BASIC]]-level compatible with the MZ-80B.
** MZ-2200 (1983): The only monitorless, standalone unit in the series.
* [[MZ-2500|MZ-2500 (SuperMZ) series]]: Launched in 1985, the computers in this series all used a Z80B processor running at 6&nbsp;[[megahertz|MHz]]. They included a data recorder and at least one 3.5 internal floppy disk drive, as well as a [[Yamaha YM2203|YM2203]] sound chip, hardware scrolling, and a palette of [[8-bit color|256 colors]] (upgradable to [[Color_depth#12-bit_color|4096]]). This makes them among the most powerful 8-bit machines ever released for home use. Some models are also compatible with the MZ-80B and MZ-2000.
** MZ-2511
** MZ-2520: The 2511 without a data recorder and the MZ-80B/2000 compatibility modes.
** MZ-2521
** MZ-2531(MZ-2500V2) (1986)
* MZ-2800 series
** {{ill|MZ-2861|jp|MZ-2861}} (1987): A hybrid [[16-bit computing|16-bit]] machine running on an Intel [[Intel 80286|80286]] and a Z80 for MZ-2500 compatibility. It could run [[MS-DOS]] in 16-bit mode, as well as a [[PC98]] [[emulator]].

=== MZ-3500/5500/6500 group ===

A line of business PCs shoehorned into the MZ lineup. All of them feature 5.25-inch floppy disk drives.
* MZ-3500 series (1982): Runs on two Z80A processors.
** MZ-3541: FDOS and EOS ([[CP/M]] compatible)
* MZ-5500 series (1983): An [[MS-DOS]]-based machine running on an Intel [[Intel 8086|8086]] processor.
* MZ-6500 series (1984): A high-speed version of the MZ-5500 marketed as a [[Computer-aided design|CAD]] [[workstation]].
** MZ-6500
** MZ-6550: A vertically mounted machine with an [[Intel 80286|80286]] processor and a [[Floppy_disk#3.5-inch_floppy_disk|3.5-inch floppy]] drive.

=== Other ===
* MZ-100: notebook / laptop with Intel [[Intel 8088|8088]] processor and two 720KB DS/DD 3.5" [[floppy disk drive]]s.
* MZ-8000 series: A line of [[IBM Personal Computer AT|PC/AT]]-compatible machines running on 80286 and [[i386|80386]] processors.

== See also ==
* [[Sharp X1]]
* [[Sharp MZ character set]]

== References ==
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="MZ-80K System Program">{{cite book |title=MZ-80K System Program |publisher=Sharp Corporation |url=http://sharpgalapagos.jp/doc/MZ-80_SERIES_SYSTEM_PROGRAM.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201074856/http://sharpgalapagos.jp/doc/MZ-80_SERIES_SYSTEM_PROGRAM.pdf |archive-date=1 February 2013 |language=ja}}</ref>
<ref name="MZ-80K BASIC">{{cite book |title=MZ-80 Series BASIC |publisher=Sharp Corporation |url=http://sharpgalapagos.jp/doc/MZ-80_SERIES_BASIC.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201074701/http://sharpgalapagos.jp/doc/MZ-80_SERIES_BASIC.pdf |archive-date=1 February 2013 |language=ja}}</ref>
<ref name="togetter">{{cite web |date=2012-12-24 |url=http://togetter.com/li/428034 | title=Sharp からのクリスマスプレゼント |trans-title=Christmas present from Sharp | language=ja | accessdate=2012-12-28 }}</ref>
<ref name="twitter 2022-05">{{Cite tweet |author=ｼｬｰﾌﾟ製品／ﾈｯﾄｻｰﾋﾞｽ |trans-author=Sharp Products/Net Services |user=SHARP_ProductS |number=204899754910556161 |date=2012-05-22 |language=ja |link=https://twitter.com/sharpgalapagos/status/204899754910556161 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414110429/https://twitter.com/SHARP_ProductS/status/204899754910556161 |archive-date=2016-04-14 |title=MZマニュアル電子化進捗ですが… |quote=MZマニュアル電子化進捗ですが、元MZ企画者から始まり、広島にいる元企画者、知的財産部等‥を順にご紹介頂き、なんとか、保管していそうな倉庫を探査頂く事になりました。今頃意味不明なお願に快く動いてくれる各担当者に感謝！。さてさて、裁断可能なのか？権利関係は？まだまだ道は遠い様です。}}</ref>
<ref name="twitter 2022-12 System Program">{{Cite tweet |author=ｼｬｰﾌﾟ製品／ﾈｯﾄｻｰﾋﾞｽ |trans-author=Sharp Products/Net Services |user=SHARP_ProductS |number=282047905345441792 |date=2012-12-21 |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514160247/https://twitter.com/SHARP_ProductS/status/282047905345441792 |archive-date=2016-05-14 |title=MZ-80マニュアル電子化① |trans-title=MZ-80 Manual digitization ①}}</ref>
<ref name="twitter 2022-12 BASIC">{{Cite tweet |author=ｼｬｰﾌﾟ製品／ﾈｯﾄｻｰﾋﾞｽ |trans-author=Sharp Products/Net Services |user=SHARP_ProductS |number=282048509438464000 |date=2012-12-21 |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160516020737/https://twitter.com/SHARP_ProductS/status/282048509438464000 |archive-date=2016-05-16 |title=MZ-80マニュアル電子化② |trans-title=MZ-80 Manual digitization ②}}</ref>
<ref name="ITmedia">{{cite web |title=「BASICの海へ」──「MZ-80」伝説のマニュアル、シャープが公開 Twitterがきっかけ |url=https://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/1212/25/news130.html |website=ITmedia NEWS |publisher=ITmedia |language=ja |date=2012-12-25 |accessdate=2012-12-28}}</ref>
}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.scav.cz/sharp_mz-800/sharp_mz-800.htm Games for MZ-800, Download Sharp MZ-800]
* [http://www.sharpusersclub.org The Sharp Users Club]
* [http://www.sharpmz.org A dedicated resource for all Sharp MZ machines]
* [http://mz-80a.com MZ-80A Comprehensive Guide]
* [https://sourceforge.net/projects/mz800emu/ Sharp MZ-800 emulator]
* [https://eaw.app/sharpmz-emulator/ FPGA Hardware MZ Series Emulator]
* [https://eaw.app/sharpmz-series/ Sharp MZ Series upgrades]
* [https://www.sharpmz.no/ Sharp MZ site with many articles on the history of the series]

{{Sharp Corporation}}
{{Dynabook Inc.}}

[[Category:Sharp Corporation computers|MZ]]
[[Category:Z80-based home computers]]
[[Category:Home computers]]<!-- Leave this, otherwise navigation is impossible for those who don't know what a Z80 is -->
[[Category:Computer-related introductions in 1978]]
[[Category:Early microcomputers]]