VTech Laser 200
The VTech Laser 200 and 210 are 8-bit home computers from 1983. They were aimed at the entry-level market and first-time users.
The machine ran basic games on cassette such as Hoppy, Cosmic Rescue, VZ Invaders, Dawn Patrol and Moon Patrol.
The Laser 200 and 210 and variants were rebadged under numerous different names in various markets, where they met with varying degrees of success. These included the Salora Fellow, the Seltron 200 in Hungary & Italy, the Smart-Alec Jr. by Dynasty Computer Corporation in Dallas, Texas for the USA, the Texet TX8000, the Dick Smith VZ 200, and the VTech VZ 200.
From late 1984 on, the Laser 200/210 and VZ200 were replaced by an improved model known as the VTech Laser 310 or the Dick Smith VZ 300. This featured a full travel keyboard and 8K ROM software-based Floppy Disk Controller, and was produced until 1989.
VTech also used the "Laser" brand on some otherwise unrelated computers.
Development
Video Technology manufactured calculators and LCD pad game toys at a multi-storey factory in Hong Kong. The Laser 100 and 110 were a development of an earlier monochrome TRS-80 copy, and further development resulted in the Laser 200 and 210 which were similar in terms of architecture to the EACA Colour Genie and in terms of specification and pricing to the Mattel Aquarius.Distribution, naming and reception by country
Released in 1983, the Laser 200 was marketed under various names in numerous countries worldwide. It enjoyed particular success in Australia and New Zealand where it and its successor sold in rebadged form via the "Dick Smith" chain for several years.Austria, Hungary and Italy
In these countries a variant known as the Seltron 200 was imported in what were likely very small quantities. However, it proved unsuccessful, with reports of unsold machines still on the Hungarian market several years later.Australia and New Zealand
Dick Smith VZ200
The Laser 200 was distributed throughout these countries via the Dick Smith Electronics chain as the "Dick Smith VZ200" with 8 kB of RAM installed and launching at $200. Reviewing it in Australian Personal Computer, Tim Hartnell was highly positive and called it a "great little machine" he thought would "change the face of Australian computing" as well as noting that APC's editor himself had told him "I'm certainly going to buy one".Due to their extensive advertising throughout Australia and New Zealand, the VZ200 gained large popularity there.
The "Dick Smith"-badged VZ200 was successful in Australia, where it proved popular as a first computer. A 1984 catalogue reported that over 22,000 units had already sold throughout Australasia; a figure that was later increased to 30,000. In Australia, the VZ200 was bought mostly to learn programming; the only other widely available system in the same price bracket being the Commodore 64. The VZ200 version of BASIC had more features compared to the Commodore 64 BASIC.
Dick Smith went on to sell the improved Laser 310, rebadged in a similar style as the "Dick Smith VZ300", from 1985. It continued to advertise the VZ300 for $99 as of 1987 until, circa May 1988, a user group reported that it was no longer listed in the latest catalogue and presumed discontinued.
Canada
The machine was sold as the VZ200 in Canada, where Electronics Today International gave it a generally positive review as a beginner's machine, despite criticism of the keyboard.It was distributed there by Rocelco Inc. 24 Viceroy Road, Unit 1, Concord, Ontario L4K 2L9.
China
The Laser 310, a later revision, was one of the first computers to be widely used in homes and primary and secondary schools in China during the 1980s and 1990s. It was also found in Children's Palaces of the time.Finland, Sweden and Scandinavia
Salora Fellow
Sold as the Salora Fellow throughout Finland, Sweden & Scandinavia. These were rebadged Laser 200 computers with 2 kB of user RAM plus 2 kB of video RAM,. The Fellow did not prove to be very successful.France
In France, the Laser 200 was seen at the Micro-Expo exhibition in Paris during June 1983. It was advertised for sale later that year, via mail order from Video Technology themselves, in a version that was compatible with the French SECAM television system. Unlike some of its competitors, this allowed its use, via the aerial socket, with older televisions that did not support Péritel.At its launch, it was seen to be an "introductory machine for beginners" and compared to the ZX81, Oric-1 and Matra Alice.
In late 1984, the improved Laser 310 model was released, again in a SECAM-compatible version.
In 1985, Video Technology imported a limited number of VZ-200-branded versions at what was described as an "unbeatable" price. These models, which were claimed to be sourced via Germany, were PAL/SCART only and did not include SECAM output.
Germany
The VTech Laser 110, 200, 210 and VTech Laser 310 sold and distributed all throughout Germany by Sanyo. The Laser 110 and VZ200 models sold there both included 4K RAM, whereas the Laser 210 and 310 came with 8K.In mid to late 1982, the Laser 200 hit the German market via Sanyo. It is only the German Laser 200 units that have its underneath base plates showing the year 1982. All other units outside of Germany show 1983.
"Sanyo Video" advertised both the Laser 110 and the Laser 210, along with peripherals and software that it noted was also suitable for use with the VZ200.
During the early years of the VZ200 and Laser 210, Germany saw a large number of the computers being sold, and many user groups formed. It was interesting to note that the Light Pen was sold in Germany in the early years, and quite a number were privately imported into Australia by Gavin Williamson and Bob Kitch. The light pen was never sold in Australia. The floppy disk drive was marketed and sold throughout Germany during 1984, some time before they were even advertised in Australia. Once again, a number of drive units ended up in Australia long before Dick Smith got on board.
United Kingdom
Following a short-lived attempt to distribute it as the rebadged "Texet TX8000", the Laser 200 was later relaunched under its original name in the UK. However, it had little success against established competitors and a glut of similar low-end microcomputers.Texet TX8000
Initially it had been agreed that UK-based distributor Texet would have exclusive rights there. Rebadged as the "Texet TX8000", at £98, it was described as the cheapest colour computer on the market.Reviews under the TX8000 name appeared during March and April 1983, where it received a mixed response.
It was claimed in one publication in early April that the TX8000 had been on sale since the end of March. However, it is not clear whether this was verified, nor how many, if any, units made it to shops or were actually sold.
In mid-April 1983, after a legal reorganisation at Texet, the future of the TX8000 was "still to be decided" and seen to be in doubt. Following a lack of further activity, the TX8000-branded version was described as having "disappeared almost as quickly as it arrived".
Laser 200 via "Computers for All" stores
In June 1983, new distributors announced that the "Laser 200"-branded version with 4 kB RAM would be sold for £70 via "Computers for All"-affiliated independent retailers. However, while the new price was significantly lower than Texet's, its largest rival, the 16K Spectrum, had itself since fallen to £99.95.The Laser 200 also competed against a wide array of similarly-priced low-end or beginners' machines on the UK market, including the Tandy MC-10, Mattel Aquarius, VIC-20, TI-99/4A, Oric 1, ZX81 and Jupiter Ace. Computers for All's own advertising promoted the Laser 200, alongside other formats, for several months.
In early 1984, Computers for All ceased trading, casting doubt on the future of the Laser 200. It had still not been adopted for sale by any major UK high street chains by then and software availability had remained a consistent problem. As of July 1984, it still had no replacement distributor and there is little evidence to suggest any further attempts were made to market the format in the UK.
United States of America
In early 1983, Video Technology exhibited a VZ200-badged version of the machine at the Winter CES. Creative Computing gave it a positive reception, calling it "the sleeper hit of the show at just $99" and, in their fullreview a couple of months after, stated that "the VZ200 is a great value for the suggested price of under $100".
Later that year, it was reported that it was being renamed "Laser 200" for the US market. Video Technology's US branch was still continuing to promote the Laser 200 alongside newer models at the following Winter CES in early 1984.
In 1985, the first branch of Video Technology was opened in the United States at 390 Convention Way, Redwood City, California. This location served as the main office, mail order center, kit assembly area and retail store. Additional stores were opened in Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, California; Stevens Creek Boulevard, San Jose, California; and Los Angeles. Within a few years the US operation was sold.
There have also been numerous reports over the years of owners having the NTSC model Laser 200, 210 and 310, as well as VTech VZ200s that have been reportedly having been sold and distributed throughout the US.
It has also been reported that an electronics magazine in that era also advertised a training course which gave away a VZ200 computer. This is in similar fashion to that of what happened within Australia in the mid-1980s.
Smart Alec Jr
The Laser 210 was also re-labelled as the Smart Alec Jr, and sold/distributed on a small scale throughout the USA by Dynasty Computer Corporation, a company that sold computers via independent door-to-door salespeople and in-home demonstrations.At one point, the Smart Alec Jr and 16K expansion were given away free with the purchase of 25 pieces of software.
It is unknown how many units were sold.