Actrix Computer Corporation
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer hardware |
| Predecessor | Access Matrix Computer Corporation |
| Founded | 1983 |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Actrix computer (Actrix DS, Actrix SS) |
The Actrix computer, introduced in 1983 by Actrix Computer Corporation, was a transportable personal computer based on the Zilog Z80 processor and operated using CP/M-80 version 2.2. Originally launched under the name Access Computer by Access Matrix Computer Corporation (which later became Actrix Computer Corporation), both the company and product underwent renaming due to trademark conflicts.
Access Computer
The name Access Computer referred to the Access Matrix, a portable personal computer released in 1982 by the American firm Access Matrix Corp (registered as AM CORP in FCC records).
Hardware
The Access Computer was equipped with two 5.25-inch floppy disk drives, supporting either 320 KB double-sided or 168 KB single-sided disks. It included a detachable keyboard alongside an integrated 7-inch amber CRT screen. The system incorporated an Epson MX80 dot matrix printer capable of 80 characters per second, driven by the GRAFTRAX-80 chipset. Operating on CP/M, it featured a Bell-103 modem supporting 300 baud rates with both acoustic-coupled and direct connection options. Its connectivity suite comprised IEEE-488 for external hard disk interfaces, composite video output for monitors, RS-232 serial ports, and Centronics parallel ports. Additionally, the motherboard allowed connection to 8-inch floppy drives through a 50-pin header, accommodating up to two double-sided disks with four heads (assigned drive letters C:/D: and E:/F:).
Software
Included software packages consisted of MBASIC, CBASIC, the Perfect office suite series, the Personal Pearl database application, and the Fancy Font markup tool. Custom utilities provided were a disk formatting, verification, and duplication program (DISKU.COM) compatible with internal A:/B: drives as well as optional external 8-inch drives (C:/D:, E:/F:). The telecommunications tool (TELCOMU.COM) offered features such as a dial-up address book, basic terminal emulation, file transfers via XMODEM/Modem7 protocols, and capabilities for connecting to BBS networks or functioning as a drone receiver for incoming files.
Market
While not entirely portable, its integrated design allowed rapid assembly and disassembly. Weighing approximately 15 kg, it could be transported by automobile or stored in an aircraft’s coat compartment. Optional carrying cases included a padded fabric bag with shoulder strap or a durable leather and cloth case featuring both handle and shoulder strap.
This system found favor among journalists who utilized its "OFFLINE" typewriter mode to produce and print single-page documents quickly for immediate fax transmission from hotel rooms. Alternatively, users combined word processing with telecommunications to compose documents offline and upload them directly to online platforms like CompuServe or to another Access Matrix unit located at their main office.
Actrix computer
The rebranded Actrix DS was unveiled at the Las Vegas Comdex event in November 1983. A variant called the Actrix SS was also offered, equipped with a 170 KB 5.25-inch disk drive.
Specifications
Hardware details:
- NEC D780C-1 CPU (a clone of the Zilog Z80B) running at 4 MHz
- 64 KB of RAM
- Dual 320 KB double-sided double-density floppy drives (Actrix-DS)
- Dual 170 KB single-sided double-density floppy drives (Actrix-SS)
- 7-inch amber-colored CRT display
- Epson MX-80 dot matrix printer featuring the GRAFTRAX-80 chipset
- Bell 103 modem including acoustic coupler
- Detachable keyboard
Options
The area adjacent to the floppy disk drives could either remain open for disk storage or be enclosed to accommodate:
- An Intel 8088 co-processor board equipped with 256 KB RAM and MS-DOS 1.25
- An internal uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
Additionally, a 50-pin connector for connecting 8" disk drives was offered.
When the UPS or 8088 options were installed, the back panel was secured with a screw-on cover; the 50-pin connector featured a clip-on panel. If no options were fitted, a blank clip-on panel filled the space. In cases where only the 50-pin option was present, an internal plastic sleeve safeguarded stored disks from contact with the connector assembly.
Connectors
- Keyboard interface
- Two D25F RS-232 serial ports (for AUX terminal/console or printer)
- One Centronics parallel port (printer connection)
- One IEEE-488 / GP-IB port (for hard disk)
- One composite video output (for a secondary monitor)
- 50-pin mainboard header for optional external 50-pin male IDC connector to link external 8" disk drives
- IEC power input supporting dealer-switchable 115 V/220 V
Disk assignments
- A: primary 5.25" floppy drive (used for OS boot)
- B: secondary 5.25" floppy drive
- C/D: first 8" disk, sides one and two
- E/F: second 8" disk, sides one and two
- M: 256 KB RAM disk utilizing memory from optional 8088 co-processor
Software
- CP/M-80 version 2.2 by Digital Research
- MS-DOS version 1.25 by Microsoft (requires optional 8088 co-processor)
- M: Drive utility managing the 256KB RAM disk under CP/M
- Personal Pearl database application
- FancyFont software for text markup and page layout
- Perfect Series office suite comprising Filer (database), Calc (spreadsheet), Writer (word processor)
- CBASIC compiler by Digital Research
- MBASIC interpreter by Microsoft
Included bespoke utilities
- TELCOMU – communications program featuring phonebook, modem dialing, X-modem file transfer; compatible with online services such as CompuServe and RCP/M BBS. Versions include TELCOM and TELCOM+ (1.05/1.16/x.yy)
- DISKU – tool for copying, duplicating, formatting, and verifying both 5.25" and 8" floppy disks (version 2.26)
- CONFIGU – utility for configuring monitor, cursor, printer, console redirection, RS-232 and Centronics ports; allows saving profiles that can be manually reloaded or automatically applied via WAKEUP at startup (version 1.03)
- WAKEUP – boot-time utility to set system date/time and load CONFIGU profiles (version 1.03)
- AMD – configures CP/M to utilize optional 8088 co-processor RAM as the M: RAM disk
- INSTALL – installer enabling specification of .COM files to auto-run during cold boot (version 1.00)
- DAC-DS – Dealer Acceptance Test diagnostic software for assessing memory, clock, floppy drives, video output, printer functionality, and keyboard operation (version 1.01)
International distribution
In Australia, Richard Carpenter of Little Mountain, Queensland served as an official distributor for Actrix. Carpenter imported a small number of Access Computers as demonstration units but shipped fewer than twelve Actrix machines. In 1986, two Actrix demo units were repossessed by NatWest Australia Bank.
Failure
Substantial expenditures on television advertising combined with expensive legal disputes over product and corporate naming rights rapidly depleted financial resources, hastening the downturn in Actrix sales. Remaining orders were fulfilled by a lone technician assembling final units from leftover components.
External links
- The Access Actrix DS – Photographs and commentary from designer Jay Berg.
- Archived IT History entry on Actrix Computer Corp
- Actrix DS featured on old-computers.com (archived)
- Access Computer listed on old-computers.com (archived)