VZ200

NAME	VZ200
MANUFACTURER	Dick Smith Electronics
TYPE	Home Computer
ORIGIN	Australia
YEAR	1982
END OF PRODUCTION	1987
CPU	Z80A
BUILT IN LANGUAGE	Microsoft BASIC
KEYBOARD	45 rubber keys, Basic instructions and graphic symbols
SPEED	3.58 MHz
RAM	8 KB (6 KB for user, 2 KB for video) up to 24 KB
ROM	16 KB
TEXT MODES	32 columns x 16 lines, 8 colors (Mode 0)
GRAPHIC MODES	128 x 64 dots, 4 colors (Mode 1)
SIZE / WEIGHT	29 (W) x 17 (D) x 4 (H) cm / 800 gr
I/O PORTS	Tape-recorder (600 bauds), TV (RF modulator), Composite video, Memory expansion port, general expansion port
POWER SUPPLY	External 9VDC adaptor
PRICE	AU$299

The Dick Smith VZ-200 and VZ-300 were very popular in Australia and New Zealand from 1983 to 1990. The VZ200 was the same model as the VTech Laser 200.

Despite of its poor chicklet keyboard and short RAM space, users could find hundreds of programs from local magazines, Dick Smith store or from several very active VZ user clubs.

Several peripherals and add-ons were readily available. Among them, there was a 16 KB RAM plug-in module, a tape recorder, a mouse, a speech Synthesiser and later a floppy disc drive unit.