Lambda 8300

This page is dedicated to the computer Lambda 8300 that I happened to purchase 1996-12-11. I got the computer along with the colour-kit and 32Kb memory expansion and the Swedish manual. What a bargain! Too bad I don't have any programs, and no memory map, the manual only list the BASIC commands. I haven't found any resources on the net about this computer, so I guess it's rather rare. I remember that I saw an ad in a Swedish computer magazine once... The serial number on my Lambda is 020799.

I've got a modified ROM that will make the Lambda ZX81-compatible. I do not remember who sent it to me (please contact me again!). The hardware of the Lambda 8300 is basically a ZX81, with a few add-ons (like sound and joystick port). The peripherals for the Lambda is supposed to fit and function on the ZX81 as well. The colour-kit adds back- and foreground colour to the characters (like the ZX Spectrum).

I've been told by various sources that the Lambda was also produced and sold under the following names:

• Power 3000
• BASIC 2000
• BASIC 3000
• PC 2000
• PC 8300

If you have ANY info not already on these pages, PLEASE e-mail me!!!

clab@hem.passagen.se

Some data on (my) Lambda 8300:

• Manufactured by Lambda Electronics Limited (made in Hong Kong), early eighties.
• System:
  • Z80@3.25MHz
  • 2Kb RAM (standard built-in)
  • 8Kb BASIC ROM (ordinary 2764 EPROM soldered in a socket designed for a real ROM, legs sticking out)
  • 1 channel of sound (probably a bit in a port)
• Physical:
  • 295mm wide
  • 150mm deep
  • 55mm high
  • 700g weight
  • Plastic case, computer beige
  • 42 green rubber keys (has a RESET key in upper right corner)
  • Speaker built-in
  • Power-LED beside keyboard
• Connections:
  • Ear
  • Mic
  • Composite video out
  • TV out (PAL)
  • Joystick (standard ATARI)
  • Power in (10.8V 500 mA transformer, internal 5V stabilizer)
  • Expansion connector (2x23, with one connector-pair cut away)
• Graphics:
  • Generated by CPU (has got FAST and SLOW modes like the ZX81)
  • Output to TV (PAL) or monitor (composite video)
  • Monochrome
  • 32x24 characters (8x8 pixel chars), non-programmable (?)
• Add-ons
  • 16Kb and 32Kb memory expansion
  • Colour-kit. A box that connects to the expansion connector and the video out. Has a new video and TV out.
  • Thermal printer (well, the manual mentions one...)

Pictures:

Front of Lambda

Rear of Lambda

Front and back of Colour-kit

32Kb memory expansion

The Power 3000 made by Creon Enterprises from Hongkong. Thanks to Kai Fischer for the picture and info!

Click on the pictures to see a larger version.

Files:

• modified ROM (8Kb), making the Lambda compatible with the ZX81.
• here's the Power 3000 ROM (8Kb). Has commands for the colour-kit (INK, PAPER, BORDER).
• a japanese manual with a lot of interesting information! Large files, but good quality. Thanks Kai!
  • Bus (20Kb)
  • Memory-map (70Kb)
  • Schematics (100Kb)
  • System variables #1 (55Kb)
  • System variables #2 (104Kb)
  • System variables #3 (8Kb)

End of Page. Updated 1998-10-25