Albert
Complete Albert computer package
ManufacturerAlbert Computers, Inc.
Release date1983; 41 years ago (1983)
CPUMOS 6502A at 1 MHz
Memory64 KB DRAM standard, expandable to 192 KB

The Albert is an Apple II clone, released by Albert Computers, Inc., in 1983. Comparable to the Apple IIe, six models were ultimately produced.

Description

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Albert Computers, Inc. offered a "complete system"[1] for approximately the price of a basic Apple IIe. This included 64k of RAM (192k max), upper and lower case, 256 colors (as opposed to the Apple IIe’s 16 colors), enhanced graphics, Analog RGB support, serial and parallel ports, a graphics digitizer tablet, voice recognition, a software package (including word processor, spreadsheet, data manager, mailing list, word speller), 110/220v AC/DC power, and even an integrated battery backup (option).

The Albert had an unusual "two-piece design" which the company termed "stereo" styling.

History

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Albert computer system, 1983

Albert Computers, Inc. was based in Thousand Oaks, California, and modeled its line of Apple clones on the Apple IIe, aiming at home and business consumers.

The company, which insisted that the Albert was not an Apple clone but rather an improvement, saying, "It’s a next-generation computer with more than a dozen advanced hardware features and software capabilities."

The base model of the Albert was $1,595 while the Apple IIe base price was $1,395 and over $3,000 with the options that came standard with the Albert.

The Albert had marketing which featured an image of Albert Einstein and copy which read: "When you're ready to buy a personal computer, it's easy to see why Albert is smarter than Apple." However, Albert Computers, Inc. quickly ran afoul of Apple Computer, Inc., which sued for copyright infringement.

Models

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Model Release Date CPU Video Price
Albert 1983 6502 16 colors $1,595
Express 1983 6502 and Z80 256 colors $695
Executive 1983 6502 and Z80 256 colors -
Professional Executive 1983 6502, Z80, 8088 256 colors -
Pup 1983 6502 (Z80 coprocessor optional) 256 colors $499
Profex Portable 1984 (?) 6502, Z80, 8088 256 colors -

Specifications

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Video display

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Display modes
Text capacity
Character set
Character formatting
Low-resolution graphics
High-resolution graphics

Processing

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CPU
Registers
Register size
Data bus
Address bus
Address range

Memory

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Standard memory
Programmable storage
Read-only memory

I/O

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Hand control (gaming) I/O signals (16-pin DIP)
Analog-to-digital converter inputs
Digital-to-analog converter outputs

Power requirements

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Line
Battery

(All specifications standard except as indicated.)

References

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  1. ^ "Albert Computer Brochure" (PDF). Classic Tech.

Further reading

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