CP-500
CP-500 was a brazilian personal computer, designed and manufactured in Brazil.

General information

It is compatible in terms of software and hardware with the American TRS-80 Model III, using Sinclair BASIC language. All models of the CP-500, as well as virtually all of Prologica's computers, have their enclosures made of polyurethane resin, designed by Luciano Deviá.

Models
CP500

Early model, released in April 1982. Sold in configuration without drives, and with one or two full-height 5" 1/4, 178 KiB drives. There was also a graphite variation of this model shortly before the release of the CP-500/M80.

CP-500/M80

Released in 1985, the cabinet color was changed from beige to graphite. Besides this aesthetic change, it started to offer the option to operate with OS-08, operating system clone of CP/M, being able to access up to 64 KiB of RAM and use the vast software library existing for Digital Research's OS. With an RS-232 port (via an adapter connected to the proprietary CP532C port), it was also able to access the incipient videotext systems of the time.

CP-500/M80C

Released in 1986 in white, it was 30% more compact than its predecessor (hence the "C" in the name), thanks to the use of 5" 1/4 slim height drives, now placed in a vertical position in the cabinet.

This model no longer had the cassette recorder port, although there was the corresponding hole in the metal back panel and the appropriate spaces for the cassette circuit components on the main board.

It remained in production (confirmed) until September 1988 even after the release of the CP-500/Turbo.

CP-500 Turbo

Last release of the line, in 1987. Similar to the CP-500/M80C, but in graphite color and its main highlight was the 4 MHz clock.

Data Storage

Data storage was done in audio cassette tapes at 300 bits per second.

Audio cables were supplied with the computer for connection with a regular tape recorder.

Bibliography
 ABREU, Carlos Alberto C. 77 programas para linha TRS-80. Rio de Janeiro: Microkit, 1985.

References 

Computer-related introductions in 1981