Sharp X1 Specifications

The original X1 which was released in 1982 had V-RAM for graphics as an option. The storage device, like the MZ series, was a cassette data recorder.

The audio function was better than the timer based square wave generator of the MZ series but still only monaural 8 octave 3 chords.

Even though it lacked pixel graphics, with its Programmable Character Generator, which only later appeared in the MZ series in the MZ-800, allowed it through character definition to create quite advanced graphic games for the time.

SHARP X1 (1st Generation) Specification List

CPU Z-80A 4MHz
80C48 (for key scan)
80C49 (for TV control and cassette control)
ROM Monitor (IPL) 4KB
Character generator 2KB
RAM 64KB for programs
V-RAM 4KB for text
User-defined character generator 6KB
Graphic V-RAM 48KB (optional)
Text display 80 characters x 25 lines, 40 characters x 25 lines
Inverted characters, blinking characters, double vertical, double horizontal, double vertical and horizontal
8 colors (can be set for each character)
Graphic display
(Optional)
640 x 200 dots 1 screen, 320 x 200 dots 2 screens
8 colors (can be set for each dot)
640 x 200 dots 3 screens, 320 x 200 Todd 6 screens
8 colors (can be set for each screen)
Screen composition Text screen and graphic screen
Text screen, graphic screen and TV screen
Text screen, graphic screen and video screen
Priority function For each color of the text screen and graphic screen
Prioritized
Background color 8 colors can be specified
Video output RGB separate output method
Cassette tape deck Built-in (electromagnetic mechanism)
Data transfer method /Sharp PWM method
Data transfer rate /2700 baud
Use audio cassette tape
Sound output 8 octaves 3 chords
Audio output 8cm round speaker 300mW
Printer interface Centronics compliant 8-bit parallel
Joystick interface 2
Extended I /O port (optional) 4 ports (can be stored in the main unit)
Clock function Built-in (battery backup)
power supply AC100V (50 /60Hz)
Power consumption 28W
External dimensions Body: Width 390 x Depth 331.5 x Height 108 (mm)
Keyboard: Width 391 x Depth 188.5 x Height 52.5 (mm)
Program language SHARP Hu BASIC


The X1 Turbo series appeared in 1984 as the Model 10, 20, 30 and 40, undergoing minor changes during production to the Turbo II and III models.

The machines came with enhanced screen resolution of 640x400 pixel addressed graphics which not only allowed for more advanced games, but with the Kanji ROM installed as standard, the ability to display Japanese Kanji symbols for the first time.

Floppy disk drives were now standard on storage devices, and the cassette data recorder was an external option.

The basic specifications didnt change much over the life of the Turbo series but the components used were reduced with more custom VLSI chips which slightly improved functionality and reduced price.

SHARP X1 Turbo Ⅲ Specifications List

CPU Z-80A 4MHz
80C49 (for key scan)
80C49 (for TV control and cassette control)
ROM BIOS ROM 32KB (including IPL 4KB)
Character generator 8KB
Kanji ROM 256KB
RAM 64KB for programs
V-RAM for text 4KB
User-defined character generator 6KB
V-RAM 2KB for attributes
Graphic V-RAM 96KB
Text display 80 characters x 25 lines, 20 lines, 12 lines, 10 lines
40 characters x 25 lines, 20 lines, 12 lines, 10 lines
Inverted characters, blinking characters, double vertical, double horizontal, double vertical and horizontal
8 colors (can be set for each character)
Japanese display Character composition /16 x 16 dots
Character type /JIS 1st and 2nd level Kanji, 6672 types including 6349 types
Screen composition /40 characters x 25 lines, 20 lines, 12 lines, 10 lines
20 characters x 25 lines, 20 lines, 12 lines, 10 lines
Graphic display 8 colors (can be set for each dot)
640 x 400 dots 1 screen, 320 x 400 dots 2 screens
640 x 384 dots 1 screen, 320 x 384 dots 2 screens
640 x 200 dots 2 screens, 320 x 200 dots 4 screens
640 x 192 dots 2 screens, 320 x 192 dots 4 screens
8 colors (can be set for each screen)
640 x 400 dots 3 screens, 320 x 400 Todd 6 screens
640 x 384 dots 3 screens, 320 x 384 Todd 6 screens
640 x 200 dots 6 screens, 320 x 200 dots 12 screens
640 x 192 dots 6 screens, 320 x 192 dots 12 screens
Screen composition Text screen and graphic screen
Text screen, graphic screen and TV screen
Text screen, graphic screen and video screen
Priority function For each color of the text screen and graphic screen
Prioritized
Pallet function You can instantly change the color of figures and characters
User-defined
Character generator
256 types of patterns can be defined
Dot unit color can be specified
Black control One of eight colors can be converted to black (text screen)
Two colors, blue and transparent, can be converted to black (graphic screen)
Background color 8 colors can be specified
Video output RGB separate output method, composite output method
Floppy disk drive Built-in 2 5-inch mini floppy disk drives
Storage method /double-sided high density, double-sided double density
Storage capacity /1MB x 2 (at 2HD), 320KB x 2 (at 2D)
Digital teloper function Output level /NTSC system compliant, 1.0Vp-p /75Ω
Terminal /RCA pin jack x 2 (video input, video output)
Sound output 8 octaves and 3 chords
Printer I /F Centronics-compliant 8-bit parallel
Floppy disk I /F Built-in
RS-232C I /F Built-in
Mouse I /F Built-in
Joystick I /F Two Atari specifications can be used
Extended I /O port 2 ports
Clock function Built-in (battery backup)
Power supply AC100V (50 /60Hz)
Power consumption Rated 27W, maximum 39W, standby 5W
External dimensions Body: Width 390 x Depth 390 x Height 108 (mm), 9.5kg
Keyboard: Width 390 x Depth 189 x Height 35 (mm), 1.3 kg
Program language CZ-8FB02 V1.0 (Kanji HuBASIC)
CZ-8FB01 V1.0, CZ-8CB01 V1.0

The last of the series, the X1 Turbo Z which was released in 1986 introduced superior AV functionality including graphics and sound.

The Turbo Z series was the pin ultimate of the X1 series with capabilities raised to compete with competitors and included increased RAM, 4096 colour display, an FM sound generator and High Density Floppy drives

In 1987, Sharp introduced the successor, the "X68000" and the era of 8-bit machines came to an end.

SHARP X1 Turbo ZⅡ Specifications

CPU Z-80A 4MHz
80C49 (for key scan)
80C49 (for TV control and cassette control)
ROM BIOS ROM 32KB (including IPL 4KB)
Character generator 8KB
Kanji ROM 256KB
RAM Main RAM 128KB
V-RAM for text 4KB
V-RAM 2KB for attributes
Graphic V-RAM 96KB
User-defined character generator 6KB
Text display 80 characters x 25 lines, 20 lines, 12 lines, 10 lines
40 characters x 25 lines, 20 lines, 12 lines, 10 lines
8 colors out of 64 colors (can be set for each character)
Inverted characters, blinking characters, double vertical /double horizontal /double vertical /horizontal
Graphic display
(Compatible mode)
8 colors (can be set for each dot)
640 x 400 dots 1 screen, 320 x 400 dots 2 screens
640 x 384 dots 1 screen, 320 x 384 dots 2 screens
640 x 200 dots 2 screens, 320 x 200 dots 4 screens
640 x 192 dots 2 screens, 320 x 192 dots 4 screens
8 colors (can be set for each screen)
640 x 400 dots 3 screens, 320 x 400 Todd 6 screens
640 x 384 dots 3 screens, 320 x 384 Todd 6 screens
640 x 200 dots 6 screens, 320 x 200 dots 12 screens
640 x 192 dots 6 screens, 320 x 192 dots 12 screens
Graphic display
(Multi mode)
Standard resolution
320 x 200 dots 4096 colors 1 screen
320 x 200 dots 64 colors 2 screens (simultaneous display possible)
640 x 200 dots 64 colors 1 screen
High resolution
320 x 200 dots 64 colors 2 screens
320 x 400 dots 64 colors 1 screen
640 x 200 dots 8 colors 2 screens
640 x 400 dots 8 colors 1 screen
* All colors are out of 4096 colors
Japanese display Screen configuration /40 characters x 25 lines, 20 lines, 12 lines, 10 lines
20 characters x 25 lines, 20 lines, 12 lines, 10 lines
Inverted characters, blinking characters, double vertical /double horizontal /double vertical /horizontal
Screen composition Text screen and graphic screen
Text screen, graphic screen and TV screen
Text screen, graphic screen and video screen
Interlaced superimpose function
40 characters x 25 lines Full-width kanji display mode Text screen and
TV /video screen superimpose possible
Priority function
(Compatible mode)
Prioritize text and graphic screens
It can be attached to each color of the graphic screen
Priority function
(Multi mode)
Prioritize text and graphic screens
Attached to each screen
Pallet function Text /8 out of 64 colors
Graphic /8 out of 8 colors
Pallet function
(Multi mode)
graphics /
4096 colors out of 4096 colors
64 out of 4096 colors
8 out of 4096 colors
Background color 8 colors can be specified
Background color
(Multi mode)
4096 colors can be specified
Black control One of eight colors can be converted to black (text screen)
Two colors, blue and transparent, can be converted to black (graphic screen)
Only transparent colors can be converted to black (border color)
Video output Analog RGB output
Digital RGB separate output
Composite output
PCG 256 user-defined character generators can be defined
Color image digitization
(Multi mode)
Screen mode
320 x 200 dots Maximum 4096 colors 1 screen
320 x 200 dots, maximum 64 colors, 2 screens
640 x 200 dots Up to 64 colors 1 screen
Color image digitization
(Multi mode)
Trick capture
Quantization
4096 colors (4 bit gradation for each color)
512 colors (3 bit gradation for each color)
64 colors (2-bit gradation for each color)
8 colors (1 bit gradation for each color)
Mosaic
Vertical 1,2,4,8,16,32 dots
Horizontal 1,2,4,8,16,32,64 dots
Inversion
Invert the captured color
Chroma key compositing
(Multi mode)
8 colors can be specified
Teloper function Video recording of the display screen is possible
Sound output FM sound source: 8 octaves 8 chords (stereo)
PSG sound source: 8 octaves 3 chords (monaural)
Floppy disk drive 5 inch 1MB /320KB dual-purpose drive x 2 drives
Display I /F Analog RGB, Digital RGB
Printer I /F Centronics compliant 8-bit parallel
Dedicated cassette for CZ-8RL1
Joystick I /F Two Atari specifications can be used
Serial I /F RS-232C compliant
Other I /F mouse, extended FDD
Extended I /O port 2 ports in the main unit
Clock function Built-in (battery backup)
power supply AC100V (50 /60Hz)
Power consumption Rated 32W
External dimensions Body: Width 390 x Depth 390 x Height 108 (mm), 9.0 kg
Keyboard: Width 390 x Depth 189 x Height 35 (mm), 1.3 kg
Software NEW Z-BASIC (CZ-8FB03)
X1 Turbo BASIC (CZ-8FB02)
Graphic tool
FM sound source music tool

SHARP X1 Series Lineage

SHARP X1 Series

Model name Model number Release date Price Main specifications
X1 CZ-800C November 1982 155,000 First generation, graphic RAM (G-RAM) is optional
X1C CZ-801C October 1983 119,800 Main unit /keyboard integrated
X1D CZ-802C October 1983 198,000 Equipped with one 3-inch FDD
X1Cs CZ-803C July 1984 119,800 Two built-in expansion I /O ports in the X1C plotter printer space
X1Ck CZ-804C July 1984 139,800 X1Cs with Kanji ROM
X1F model10 CZ-811C July 1985 89,800 Built-in data recorder
X1F model20 CZ-812C July 1985 139,800 Built-in 5 inch (2D) FDD x 1
X1G model10 CZ-820C July 1986 69,800 Built-in data recorder
X1G model30 CZ-822C July 1986 118,000 5 inch (2D) FDD x 2 built-in
X1 twin CZ-830C December 1987 99,800 Hybrid machine with built-in PC Engine

SHARP X1 Turbo Series

Model name Model number Release date Price Main specifications
X1 Turbo Model 10 CZ-850C October 1984 168,000 Built-in data recorder
X1 Turbo Model 20 CZ-851C October 1984 248,000 Built-in 5 inch (2D) FDD x 1
X1 Turbo Model 30 CZ-852C October 1984 278,000 5 inch (2D) FDD x 2 built-in
X1 Turbo Model 40 CZ-862C July 1985 258,000 5 inch (2D) FDD x 2 built-in
X1 TurboⅡ CZ-856C November 1985 178,000 Low-priced version with the same specifications as the X1 Turbo Model 30
X1 Turbo Ⅲ CZ-870C November 1986 168,000 FDD now supports both 2HD /2D

SHARP X1 Turbo Z Series

Model name Model number Release date Price Main Specifications
X1 TurboZ CZ-880C December 1986 218,000 The first TurboZ machine released as the highest peak of 8-bit
X1 TurboZⅡ CZ-881C-BK December 1987 178,000 RAM64KB added, New Z-BASIC included
X1 TurboZⅢ CZ-888C-BK December 1988 169,800 The final model of the X1 series, a low-priced version of Turbo ZII