Editing ABC 800

{{Short description|Office versions of ABC 80 home computer}}
{{Infobox information appliance
| image        = File:Luxor ABC 800 personal computer.jpg
| caption      = Luxor ABC 800 computer in the collections of [[Swedish National Museum of Science and Technology]]
| type         = [[Personal computer]]
| releasedate  = 1981
| cpu          = 8-bit [[Zilog Z80|Zilog Z80A]] @ 3&nbsp;[[MHz]]
| graphics     = Text mode 80×24 [[colour]] [[Teletext]], 78×75 block graphics or {{nowrap|240×240 at 2 bpp}}, {{nowrap|512×240 at 4 bpp}}, {{nowrap|256×240 at 4 bpp}} with red, green, blue, yellow, cyan, magenta, white and black
| sound        = Beep, within the keyboard
| os           = {{nowrap|24 KB}} ROM for [[BASIC|BASIC II]]
| memory       = {{nowrap|32 KB}} [[Read-only memory|ROM]] + {{nowrap|32 KB}} [[Static random access memory|RAM]]
| connectivity = {{nowrap|2x serial}} {{nowrap|(75 - 19,200 baud<ref>{{cite web |title=Luxor Product Information pdf |url=http://www.pc-museum.com/luxor/produktblad-abc802.pdf}}</ref>)}} [[D-subminiature|DE-9]], {{nowrap|2x32-pin [[Eurocard (printed circuit board)|eurocard]]}} 4680 bus connector, {{nowrap|video [[D-subminiature|DA-15]]}}, {{nowrap|[[Keyboard (computing)|keyboard]] [[DIN connector|DIN-7]]}}
| manufacturer = [[Luxor AB|Luxor]] in [[Motala]], [[Sweden]]
| price        = {{nowrap|9,800 [[Swedish krona|SEK]] (1982)}} (ex.[[Value added tax|VAT]])<ref name="pc-museum-luxor-pricelist">{{cite web|title=empty|url=http://pc-museum.com/luxor/Luxor-prislista.pdf}} 091209 pc-museum.com</ref>
}}

The [[Luxor AB|Luxor]] '''ABC 800''' series are office versions of the [[ABC 80]] [[home computer]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Luxor ABC 800 series |url=https://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=357 |website=oldcomputers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rautiainen |first=Sami |date=2020 |title=Luxor ABC 800 serie |url=https://www.devili.iki.fi/Computers/Luxor/ |access-date=2023-09-10 |website=www.devili.iki.fi}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=RigPix Database - Vintage home computers (Except IBM PC's and their clones) - Luxor ABC-800 |url=https://www.rigpix.com/vcomp/luxor_abc800.htm |access-date=2023-09-10 |website=www.rigpix.com}}</ref> They featured an enhanced [[BASIC]] [[interpreter (computing)|interpreter]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Starring the Computer - Luxor ABC 800 |url=https://www.starringthecomputer.com/computer.html?c=588 |access-date=2023-09-10 |website=www.starringthecomputer.com}}</ref> a slightly faster clocked CPU and more memory: 32&nbsp;kilobytes RAM and 32&nbsp;KB ROM was now standard, the [[Zilog Z80|Z80]] is clocked at {{nowrap|3&nbsp;MHz}} (quarter the 12&nbsp;MHz crystal).<ref name=":0" /> It featured 40×24 text mode with eight colors (ABC 800 C) or 80×24 text mode monochrome (ABC 800 M).<ref name=":1" /> They could also be extended with "high" resolution graphics (240×240&nbsp;[[pixels]] at 2 {{abbr|bpp|bits per pixel}}) using {{nowrap|16 KB}} RAM as video memory.<ref name=":1" />

== Models ==

=== ABC 800 ===
The ABC 800 came in a [[monochrome]] version with [[amber (color)|amber]] text on a [[brown]] background with an 80 character wide screen, and a color version with 40 characters. The main board is integrated with the keyboard, much like the [[Amiga 500]]. However, the ABC computer has a very sturdy metal chassis.

Storage is usually two [[Floppy disc#5¼-inch floppy disk|5.25"]] [[floppy disk]] units in 160, 320 or 640&nbsp;KB capacity.  External hard disk systems became available later (primarily the ABC 850 with 10 MB). Model numbers 'ABC 800 M' for monochrome and 'ABC 800 C' for color.

Luxor advertising asked, "Who needs [[IBM PC compatible|IBM-compatibility]]?" However, most computer buyers eventually considered it a requirement. A certain degree of compatibility between the ABC and IBM PC platforms could be achieved with the help of a program called '[[W ABC]]'.

The ABC 800 computer was also sold by [[Facit]] under the name Facit DTC.<ref name=":0" />

=== ABC 802 ===
[[File:Luxor ABC 802.jpg|thumb|Swedish computer/terminal Luxor ABC 802]]
The ABC 802 is a compact version with 64&nbsp;KB RAM where 32&nbsp;KB is used as a RAM disk. The main board is integrated with a 9" [[CRT screen]] and has improved graphics, though no high-resolution graphics. Luxor ABC 802 was a model with a small monochrome screen in yellow phosphor, intended for offices. Here with two 5.25 inch disk drives along the side of the display. The grey-brown color was common for all ABC 800 (and ABC 1600) products and was different from the beige ABC 80.

=== ABC 806 ===
[[File:Luxor ABC 806.jpg|thumb|The Luxor ABC 806 model.]]

The ABC 806 is a version with main board, screen ([[D-subminiature|DA-15]]) and keyboard ([[DIN connector|DIN-7]]) as separate units. It has {{nowrap|164 KB}} RAM where {{nowrap|128 KB}} is used as a RAM disk, as well as more advanced 512×240×16 graphics.<ref name=":0" />

==Performance==
In order to see how the ABC 800 would compare to other contemporary personal computers, in 1982, the Swedish magazine ''[[MikroDatorn]]'' used the [[Rugg/Feldman benchmarks]] of eight short BASIC programs (BM1 - BM8) defined by the American [[Kilobaud Microcomputing|Kilobaud Magazine]] and routinely used by the British magazine [[Personal Computer World]] for testing new machines. 

The result was that ABC 800's semi-compiling BASIC interpreter turned out to be faster than most other BASICs used in popular machines, especially when [[integer]] variables are used, the results for some well known computers were as follows (times in seconds):

                            BM1   BM2   BM3   BM4   BM5   BM6   BM7   BM8
 ABC 800 (integer)         ''not measured - see [[ABC 80]] for approximate numbers''
 ABC 800 (single precision) 0.9   1.8   6.0   5.9   6.3   11.6  19.6  29
 ABC 800 (double precision) 1.2   2.2   10.0  10.6  11.0  17.8  26.4  144
 
 IBM PC                     1.5   5.2   12.1  12.6  13.6  23.5  37.4  35
 Apple III                  1.7   7.2   13.5  14.5  16.0  27.0  42.5  75
 VIC-20                     1.4   8.3   15.5  17.1  18.3  27.2  42.7  99
 ZX81 in "fast mode"        4.5   6.9   16.4  15.8  18.6  49.7  68.5  229

As seen from the table, the ABC 800 was approximately twice as fast as the IBM PC on [[floating point]] calculations, except for BM8 where it was only 20% faster. Using [[integer]] [[Variable (programming)|variables]] (only measured for the older [[ABC 80]] in this test) the numbers would be approximately 2-3 times as low (i.e. speeds 2-3 times as high) as for the [[single precision]] results in the table.

== ABC 800 character set ==
ABC 800 character set, as described on the user manual<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rautiainen |first=Sami |date=2020 |title=Luxor ABC800 Käyttöohje: Liitteitä - Näppäinkoodit merkki/grafiikkamuodossa (ASCII-taulukko) |url=http://www.devili.iki.fi/Computers/Luxor/Manuals/ABC800/Kayttoohje/sivu_42.html#81 |website=Welcome to my home}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" 
|-
! ASCII code
! Character Mode
! Graphic Mode
!ASCII code
!Character Mode
!Graphic Mode
!ASCII code
!Character Mode
!Graphic Mode
!ASCII code
!Character Mode
!Graphic Mode
|-
! style="background-color:#EAECF0;" | 32
|
| [[File:TRS-80_character_0x80.png|NBSP]]
!56
|8
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0x98.png|link=🬖 ]]
!80
|P
|P
!104
|h
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0xA8.png|link=🬦 ]]
|-
! style="background-color:#EAECF0;" | 33
| !
| [[File:TRS-80 character 0x81.png|link=🬀 ]]
!57
|9
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0x99.png|link=🬗 ]]
!81
|Q
|Q
!105
|i
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0xA9.png|link=🬧 ]]
|-
! style="background-color:#EAECF0;" | 34
| "
| [[File:TRS-80 character 0x82.png|link=🬁 ]]
!58
|:
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0x9A.png|link=🬘 ]]
!82
|R
|R
!106
|j
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0xAA.png|link=▐ ]]
|-
! style="background-color:#EAECF0;" | 35
| #
| [[File:TRS-80 character 0x83.png|link=🬂 ]]
!59
|;
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0x9B.png|link=🬙 ]]
!83
|S
|S
!107
|k
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0xAB.png|link=🬨 ]]
|-
! style="background-color:#EAECF0;" | 36
|
| [[File:TRS-80 character 0x84.png|link=🬃 ]]
!60
|<
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0x9C.png|link=🬚 ]]
!84
|T
|T
!108
|l
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0xAC.png|link=🬩 ]]
|-
! style="background-color:#EAECF0;" | 37
| %
| [[File:TRS-80 character 0x85.png|link=🬄 ]]
!61
|=
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0x9D.png|link=🬛 ]]
!85
|U
|U
!109
|m
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0xAD.png|link=🬪 ]]
|-
! style="background-color:#EAECF0;" | 38
| &
| [[File:TRS-80 character 0x86.png|link=🬅 ]]
!62
|>
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0x9E.png|link=🬜 ]]
!86
|V
|V
!110
|n
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0xAE.png|link=🬫 ]]
|-
! style="background-color:#EAECF0;" | 39
| ´
| [[File:TRS-80 character 0x87.png|link=🬆 ]]
!63
|?
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0x9F.png|link=🬝 ]]
!87
|W
|W
!111
|o
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0xAF.png|link=🬬 ]]
|-
! style="background-color:#EAECF0;" | 40
| (
| [[File:TRS-80 character 0x88.png|link=🬇 ]]
!64
|É
|É
!88
|X
|X
!112
|p
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0xB0.png|link=🬭 ]]
|-
! style="background-color:#EAECF0;" | 41
| )
| [[File:TRS-80 character 0x89.png|link=🬈 ]]
!65
|A
|A
!89
|Y
|Y
!113
|q
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0xB1.png|link=🬮 ]]
|-
! style="background-color:#EAECF0;" | 42
| *
| [[File:TRS-80 character 0x8A.png|link=🬉 ]]
!66
|B
|B
!90
|Z
|Z
!114
|r
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0xB2.png|link=🬯 ]]
|-
! style="background-color:#EAECF0;" | 43
| +
| [[File:TRS-80 character 0x8B.png|link=🬊 ]]
!67
|C
|C
!91
|Ä
|Ä
!115
|s
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0xB3.png|link=🬰 ]]
|-
! style="background-color:#EAECF0;" | 44
| ,
| [[File:TRS-80 character 0x8C.png|link=🬋 ]]
!68
|D
|D
!92
|Ö
|Ö
!116
|t
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0xB4.png|link=🬱 ]]
|-
! style="background-color:#EAECF0;" | 45
| -
| [[File:TRS-80 character 0x8D.png|link=🬌 ]]
!69
|E
|E
!93
|Å
|Å
!117
|u
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0xB5.png|link=🬲 ]]
|-
! style="background-color:#EAECF0;" | 46
| .
| [[File:TRS-80 character 0x8E.png|link=🬍 ]]
!70
|F
|F
!94
|Ü
|Ü
!118
|v
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0xB6.png|link=🬳 ]]
|-
!47
|/
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0x8F.png|link=🬎 ]]
!71
|G
|G
!95
| -
| -
!119
|w
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0xB7.png|link=🬴 ]]
|-
!48
|0
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0x90.png|link=🬏 ]]
!72
|H
|H
!96
|é
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0xA0.png|link=🬞 ]]
!120
|x
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0xB8.png|link=🬵 ]]
|-
!49
|1
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0x91.png|link=🬐 ]]
!73
|I
|I
!97
|a
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0xA1.png|link=🬟 ]]
!121
|y
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0xB9.png|link=🬶 ]]
|-
!50
|2
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0x92.png|link=🬑 ]]
!74
|J
|J
!98
|b
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0xA2.png|link=🬠 ]]
!122
|z
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0xBA.png|link=🬷 ]]
|-
!51
|3
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0x93.png|link=🬒 ]]
!75
|L
|L
!99
|c
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0xA3.png|link=🬡 ]]
!123
|ä
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0xBB.png|link=🬸 ]]
|-
!52
|4
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0x94.png|link=🬓 ]]
!76
|N
|N
!100
|d
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0xA4.png|link=🬢 ]]
!124
|ö
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0xBC.png|link=🬹 ]]
|-
!53
|5
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0x95.png|link=▌ ]]
!77
|M
|M
!101
|e
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0xA5.png|link=🬣 ]]
!125
|å
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0xBD.png|link=🬺 ]]
|-
!54
|6
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0x96.png|link=🬔 ]]
!78
|N
|N
!102
|f
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0xA6.png|link=🬤 ]]
!126
|ü
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0xBE.png|link=🬻 ]]
|-
!55
|7
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0x97.png|link=🬕 ]]
!79
|O
|O
!103
|g
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0xA7.png|link=🬥 ]]
!127
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0xBC.png|link=🬹 ]]
|[[File:TRS-80 character 0xBF.png|link=█ ]]
|}

==See also==
* [[ABC 80]]
* [[ABC 1600]] - Unix-based

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Personal computers]]
[[Category:Character sets]]
[[Category:Science and technology in Sweden]]
[[Category:Computer-related introductions in 1981]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Abc 800}}