Camputers Lynx


The Lynx was an 8-bit British home computer that was first released in early 1983 as a 48 KB model. Several models were available with 48 KB, 96 KB or 128 KB RAM. It was possible to reach 192 KB with RAM expansions on board. John Shireff designed the hardware and Davis Jansons the firmware.

Details

The machine was based around a Z80A CPU clocked at 4 MHz and featured a Motorola 6845 as video controller. It was possible to run CP/M with the optional 5.25" floppy disk-drive on the 96 KB and 128 KB models.
Unique features of this computer include:
Compared to, for example, the Commodore 64, the BASIC was more extensive and faster and the resolution of the graphics was better; but computer games on the other hand suffered from the special implementation and lack of hardware for sound and sprites.

History

The machine was quite advanced for its time. A 48K machine cost £225, a 96K machine £299 and a 128K machine £345. When compared to its competitors, such as the ZX Spectrum and the Oric 1, it was also fairly highly priced. Camputers rebranded and relaunched each machine on several occasions, with the 48K machine renamed the Leisure, and the 128K machine renamed as the Laureate.
The machine had very little software available, and survived only until Camputers ceased trading in June 1984. It is believed that approximately 30,000 Camputers Lynx units were sold worldwide.
Anston Technology took over in November 1984 and a re-launch was planned but never happened. In June 1986, Anston sold everything - hardware, design rights and thousands of cassettes - to the National Lynx User Group. The group planned to produce a Super-Lynx but was too busy supplying spares and technical information to owners of existing models, and the project never came into being.

Reception

After seeing a preview of the Camputers Lynx at the Personal Computer World Show, BYTE in January 1983 stated that it "offers more computing power for the money than any other machine I saw there". Computing Today in June 1983 criticized the manual as "put together in something of a hurry... confusing" and criticized the computer for not meeting published specifications and having manufacturing defects. It concluded that the Lynx "could be seen as a flawed jewel... If the less satisfactory aspects can be put to rights, it could prove to be a very popular machine. That, however, could entail some sacrifices."

Video games

There are 60 known commercially released game for the Camputers Lynx
TitlePublisherYear
3D Monster CrazeCamsoft1983
Air raidCamsoft1983
Alien 8Ultimate Play the Game1985
Atom SmasherRomik Software1983
BattlebrickBus-Tech1983
CentipedePlay It!
Colossal AdventureLevel 9 Computing1983
CompassLevel 9 Computing1983
Dam BusterCamsoft1983
DeathballBus-Tech1983
Delta WingCreative Sparks1984
DiggermanGEM Software1984
DraughtsCamsoft
Dungeon AdventureLevel 9 Computing1983
Floyds BankRomik Software1983
Football ManagerAddictive Games1984
Gempak 4: Sea Harrier / Sub ChaseGEM Software1983
GolfGEM Software1983
GomokuNetstrak Software1983
GridtrapL' Oeil de Lynx1984
HangmanCamsoft1983
The HobbitMelbourne House1983
LabyrinthQuazar Computing1983
L'odyssée d'AsterixBibliotheque de Cintre1984
LogichessCamsoft1984
Lord of the RingsMelbourne House1986
Lynx InvadersCamsoft1983
MastermindWillowsoft1983
Maxi-MotsL' Oeil de Lynx1984
MazemanAbersoft1983
Mined-OutQuicksilva1983
Monster MineGEM Software1983
MoonCamsoft
MoonfallCamsoft1983
MuncherBus-Tech1983
Night FlightL. Corrigan1984
Oh Mummy!GEM Software1983
PanikCamsoft1984
PengoPlay It!1984
PontoonGEM Software1983
Power BlasterCamsoft1983
ProtectorSian Software1983
RacerSian Software1983
ReversiGEM Software1983
RoaderFL Software1983
Robo-RunGazza1983
RocketmanBamby Soft1983
Siege AttackQuazar Computing1984
SnakeGEM Software1983
Space TrekQuazar Computing1983
SpannermanGEM Software1983
SpellboundBamby Soft1983
Sultan's MazeGEM Software1983
Treasure IslandCamsoft1983
TwinkleGEM Software1983
The ValleyPhoenixx Software1984
WASPRomik Software1984
The WormQuazar Computing1983
YnxvadersBus-Tech1983
Zombie PanicBus-Tech1983