Actrix и Access Matrix: История портативного компьютера на Z80

The Actrix computer, released in 1983 by Actrix Computer Corporation, was a Zilog Z80 based transportable personal computer running CP/M 80 V2.2. It was initially released as the Access Computer, made by Access Matrix Computer Corporation (later Actrix Computer Corporation), but both the company and its product changed names after trademark disputes.

Access Computer was the common name for the Access Matrix, a transportable personal computer introduced in 1982 by a United States computer company, Access Matrix Corp (AM CORP on FCC documentation).

The Access Computer had dual 5.25 inch floppy drives (either 320k DS or 168k SS) a detachable keyboard, a 7" built in amber CRT monitor, and a built in 80 CPS Epson MX80 dot matrix printer with GRAFTRAX 80 chipset. It used the CP/M operating system, and also included a Bell 103 300 baud modem with both acoustic coupled and direct connections. Additional connectors for IEEE 488 (external hard disk), composite monitor, RS 232 serial and Centronics parallel were provided. The mainboard has a 50 pin header designed to support 8 inch disk drives (4 heads on two double sided disks drive letters C:/D: and E:/F:)

Access Matrix came bundled with MBASIC, CBASIC, the Perfect series office software, Personal Pearl database and Fancy Font markup/formatting system. Custom written software included a disk format/verify/duplication utility (DISKU. COM) that worked with both the internal A:/B: drives as well as optional external 8" disks (C:/D: and E:/F:). A custom written Telecommunications utility (TELCOMU. COM) offered dialup address book, basic terminal emulation, XMODEM/Modem7 file transfer and other features for connection to BBS and other online systems or to operate as a drone to receive files uploaded from other computers.

Although not truly portable the all in one design did allow for quick setup and shut down. It was rugged and although weighing 15 kg, it was reasonably easy to transport in a car or in an aircraft's coat locker. The Access Matrix had option of a padded cloth bag with shoulder strap or a heavier duty leather/cloth bound protective case with carry handle and shoulder strap. Apparently the system was popular with journalists who could use the inbuilt "OFFLINE" type writer mode to create and print simple ad hoc single page documents ready for immediate faxing to HQ from their hotel lobby. Another option was to combine the word processing and telecommunications features to create a document using the word processing software and immediately upload the document directly to either an online services such as CompuServe or indeed to another 'waiting' Access Matrix at their head office.

The rebadged Actrix DS was presented at the Las Vegas Comdex in November 1983. There was another model called the Actrix SS with a 170k 5.25 inch disk drive.

In Australia, one official distributor of the Actrix Computer range was Richard Carpenter, based in Little Mountain, Queensland. It is believed that Carpenter imported two or three Access Computers as sales tools and demonstrators, but shipped less than a dozen Actrix Computers. In 1986, two demonstrator Actrix machines were repossessed by the financier, NatWest Australia Bank.

Expensive TV advertising and constant lawsuits concerning the product and company naming rights were drains on capital that speeded the decline and ultimate stop of sales of Actrix machines. Existing orders were filled by one remaining technician, who built the last remaining machines from spare parts.