The Dragon 32 Home computer was launched by Dragon Data Limited of Wales in August 1982. The computer was based on the Motorola MC6809E processor running at 0.89 MHz, together with 32K of RAM, with built in Microsoft BASIC and the ability to load software either from cassette or through the built in cartridge slot. The processor was an advanced 8-bit CPU design, having, among other things limited 16-bit capabilities. In terms of raw computational power, the Dragon beat most of its contemporary rivals based on the older MOS Technology 6502, and the built-in cartridge slot, with instant loading of games, should have put it head and shoulders above the competition. Unfortunately, the Dragon 32 was let down by its limited graphis capabilities - with the highest resolution display being 256x192 pixels in 4 colours, which impacted on the attractiveness of the system for games players. There were striking similarities between the Dragon and the TRS-80 Coco, both being based on a Motorola data sheet design for the MC6883 SAM chip for memory management and peripheral control. The systems were sufficiently similar that a significant fraction of the compiled software produced for one machine would happily run on the other. Software running via the built-in Microsoft BASIC interpreters also had a high level of compatibility, but only after they were re-tokenized (which could be achieved fairly easily by transferring via cassette tape with appropriate options). A broad range of peripherals exist for the Dragon 32, and on top of this there are add-ons such as the Dragon's Claw which give the Dragons access to the BBC Micro's large range of accessories (a particularly important factor in the UK home market). A disk operating system, DragonDOS was supplied as part of the disk controller interface from Dragon Data Ltd. In addition to the DragonDOS disk operating system, the Dragon 32 is capable of running several others, including FLEX, and even OS-9 which brought UNIX-like multitasking to the platform. When problems hit Dragon Data Limited in 1984, the company and rights to the computer were purchased by Eurohard in Spain, who continued promoting the Dragon until they went out of business in 1987. |
Dragon 32
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Item | Ending in | Current price | ||
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Dragon 32 Modern PSU Replacement | £19.99 | Buy now! | ||
Dragon 32 64 RCA AV Cable TV Lead | £9.75 | Buy now! | ||
Dragon 32 / 64 RF Computer To Analogue TV Cable Lead | £2.41 | Buy now! | ||
Dragon 32 / 64 Replacement Rubber Feet - Pack of 4 | £3.23 | Buy now! |
Name | Description | Listings in category |
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DataServe Retro | 3 |