Difference between revisions of "Educational computers"
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! scope="col"|ROMs | ! scope="col"|ROMs | ||
! scope="col"|Description | ! scope="col"|Description | ||
+ | |- id="A" | ||
+ | | colspan="5" style="background: #ECECEC;"| '''A''' <small>{{IndexComp}}</small> | ||
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|Accelerator Cyber Station | |Accelerator Cyber Station | ||
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|No | |No | ||
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+ | |- id="B" | ||
+ | | colspan="5" style="background: #ECECEC;"| '''B''' <small>{{IndexComp}}</small> | ||
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|Buzz Lightyear Star Command Laptop | |Buzz Lightyear Star Command Laptop | ||
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|No | |No | ||
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+ | |- id="C" | ||
+ | | colspan="5" style="background: #ECECEC;"| '''C''' <small>{{IndexComp}}</small> | ||
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|Carmen Sandiego Acme | |Carmen Sandiego Acme | ||
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|No | |No | ||
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+ | |- id="F" | ||
+ | | colspan="5" style="background: #ECECEC;"| '''F''' <small>{{IndexComp}}</small> | ||
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|Fun 2 Learn Laptop | |Fun 2 Learn Laptop | ||
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|No | |No | ||
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+ | |- id="G" | ||
+ | | colspan="5" style="background: #ECECEC;"| '''G''' <small>{{IndexComp}}</small> | ||
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|Genius Junior | |Genius Junior | ||
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|No | |No | ||
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+ | |- id="I" | ||
+ | | colspan="5" style="background: #ECECEC;"| '''I''' <small>{{IndexComp}}</small> | ||
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|IQ Super PC | |IQ Super PC | ||
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|No | |No | ||
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+ | |- id="J" | ||
+ | | colspan="5" style="background: #ECECEC;"| '''J''' <small>{{IndexComp}}</small> | ||
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|JC The Junior Computer | |JC The Junior Computer | ||
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|No | |No | ||
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+ | |- id="K" | ||
+ | | colspan="5" style="background: #ECECEC;"| '''K''' <small>{{IndexComp}}</small> | ||
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|K28 Talking<br> Learning Computer | |K28 Talking<br> Learning Computer | ||
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|No | |No | ||
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+ | |- id="L" | ||
+ | | colspan="5" style="background: #ECECEC;"| '''L''' <small>{{IndexComp}}</small> | ||
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|Learning Computer | |Learning Computer | ||
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|VTech | |VTech | ||
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None | |style="background:gainsboro;"|None | ||
+ | |No | ||
+ | | | ||
+ | |- id="M" | ||
+ | | colspan="5" style="background: #ECECEC;"| '''M''' <small>{{IndexComp}}</small> | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |MAC Mini Computer | ||
+ | |1980 | ||
+ | |Entex | ||
+ | |style="background: Gainsboro;"| None | ||
|No | |No | ||
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|No | |No | ||
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+ | |- id="N" | ||
+ | | colspan="5" style="background: #ECECEC;"| '''N''' <small>{{IndexComp}}</small> | ||
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|Nitro Fun Notebook | |Nitro Fun Notebook | ||
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|No | |No | ||
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+ | |- id="P" | ||
+ | | colspan="5" style="background: #ECECEC;"| '''P''' <small>{{IndexComp}}</small> | ||
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|PC Pal | |PC Pal | ||
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|No | |No | ||
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+ | |- id="S" | ||
+ | | colspan="5" style="background: #ECECEC;"| '''S''' <small>{{IndexComp}}</small> | ||
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|See-A-Sound Phonics | |See-A-Sound Phonics | ||
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|No | |No | ||
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+ | |- id="T" | ||
+ | | colspan="5" style="background: #ECECEC;"| '''T''' <small>{{IndexComp}}</small> | ||
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|Talkatron | |Talkatron | ||
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|No | |No | ||
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+ | |- id="U" | ||
+ | | colspan="5" style="background: #ECECEC;"| '''U''' <small>{{IndexComp}}</small> | ||
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|Ultra Pack PC | |Ultra Pack PC | ||
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|No | |No | ||
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+ | |- id="W" | ||
+ | | colspan="5" style="background: #ECECEC;"| '''W''' <small>{{IndexComp}}</small> | ||
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|Webstart Computer | |Webstart Computer |
Revision as of 20:20, 2 April 2023
The precursor to the Toy aisle console, educational computers became a new market In the 80s, simplified systems designed to be educational and ease of use. these computers started to died out in the late 1990s, when the Toy Aisle Consoles started to appeal to parents looking for something similar to the more mainstream systems but with a bigger focus on safe, usually educational content. by the early 2000s, these kind of consoles had almost completely taken over the market these computers once controlled.
NOTE - Not all educational computers belong here, a large majority of them are clones or re-skins not noteworthy enough to be added
Model | Year | Developer / Distributor | MAME support | ROMs | Description | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z | ||||||
Accelerator Cyber Station | ~ Unknown | Oregon Scientific | None | No | ||
AlphaByte | ~ Unknown | Oregon Scientific | None | No | ||
B A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z | ||||||
Buzz Lightyear Star Command Laptop | 2009 | VTech | None | No | ||
C A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z | ||||||
Carmen Sandiego Acme | ~ Unknown | Team Concepts | None | No | ||
Cars 2 Laptop | 2012 | Vtech | Preliminary | No | ||
Children's Discovery System | 1981 | Mattel | None | No | The Children's Discovery System (CDS) is one of earliest examples of the modern educational computer we currently see in the toy aisles today. There's no mouse support like most computers of the era, and only had three modes built in at launch. the CDS software could be expanded though cartridges. only 16 of the 21 advertised cartridges were released. | |
Clickstart | 2007 | LeapFrog | Preliminary | No | ||
Color Blast Notebook | 2006 | VTech | None | No | ||
Computer Cool School | 2008 | Fisher-Price | None | No | ||
Computer Fun | 1988 | Texas Instruments | None | No | ||
Computer Kid Interactive TV | 1997 | Clementoni | None | No | This is not just a educational computer, it can also be connect to TV and act like a plug-n-play console | |
Computer Pal | 1999 | VTech | None | No | ||
Computer Pal In Concert |
1998 | VTech | None | No | ||
Computer Typing Instructor | 1993 | Radio Shack | None | No | ||
Comquest | 1995 | Data Concepts | Preliminary | No | ||
Cyber Spy Notebook | 2007 | VTech | None | No | ||
F A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z | ||||||
Fun 2 Learn Laptop | 2006 | Fisher Price | None | No | ||
FX-Micom FX-マイコン |
1981 | Gakken | Good | No | ||
G A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z | ||||||
Genius Junior | 1996 | VTech | Preliminary | No | ||
Genius Leader Notebook | 1993 | VTech | Preliminary | No | ||
Girl Fun PC | 2002 | VTech | None | No | ||
I A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z | ||||||
IQ Super PC | ~ Unknown | Team Concepts | None | No | ||
J A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z | ||||||
JC The Junior Computer | 1988 | ~ Unknown | None | No | ||
K A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z | ||||||
K28 Talking Learning Computer |
1981 (model 7-230) 1985 (model 7-232) |
Tiger Electronics | Imperfect (model 7-230) Preliminary (model 7-232) |
No | ||
Knights of Knowledge | 2001 | VTech | None | No | ||
L A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z | ||||||
Learning Computer | ~ Unknown | Radio Shack | None | No | ||
Learning Computer II | 1987 | Radio Shack | None | No | ||
Learning-Window Teaching Machine | 1986 | VTech | Preliminary | No | ||
Little Smart PC Fun | 1994 | VTech | None | No | ||
Lesson One | 1980 | VTech | None | No | ||
M A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z | ||||||
MAC Mini Computer | 1980 | Entex | None | No | ||
Master Pad FM | 2001 | VTech | None | No | ||
Math Computer | 1987 | Playtime | None | No | ||
Math Starter | 1988 | Fisher Price | None | No | ||
Mega Duck Super Junior Computer | 1995 | Welback Holdings | Decent | No | Released around 1995, the Super Junior was Welback Holdings attempt to save their Mega Duck platform by turning it into educational computer, similar to what VTech was producing at the time. it didn't work and was quickly discontinued. Since its just a Mega Duck in a laptop shaped case, the 12 cartridges released for it should run just fine in MAME. | |
Mouse Computer | 1992 | Texas Instruments | None | No | ||
My First Computer | 1986 | Grandstand | None | No | ||
My Own Leaptop | 2010 | LeapFrog | None | No | ||
N A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z | ||||||
Nitro Fun Notebook | 2008 | VTech | None | No | ||
P A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z | ||||||
PC Pal | 1989 | VTech | None | No | ||
Pitagorin Junior | 1993 | VTech | Preliminary | No | ||
PreComputer | 1988 | VTech | Preliminary | No | The PreComputer was a educational computer product line launched by VTech in 1988. the first two models were similar to a Palmtop or a Pocket PC of the era, while the later Junior modal was the more common laptop design. although it doesn't use a mouse like later systems. | |
PreComputer Prestige Elite |
1998 | VTech | Preliminary | No | ||
Preschool Desktop | ~ Unknown | Team Concepts | None | No | ||
S A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z | ||||||
See-A-Sound Phonics | 1994 | VTech | None | No | ||
Sensu-Puter (Math Master) |
1984 | Epoch (JP) Grandstand (UK) |
None | No | ||
SmarTV | 2002 | VTech | None | No | ||
Speak Series | Texas Instruments | NA | ||||
Spell & Count | 1986 | Playtime | None | No | ||
Spell N' Math Typing Instructor | ~ Unknown | Radio Shack | None | No | ||
Spelling Starter | 1988 | Fisher Price | None | No | ||
Super Color Whiz | 1993 | VTech | None | No | ||
Super Note Club µ | 1998 | Bandai | Preliminary | No | ||
Super Smart Start | 1992 | VTech | None | No | ||
T A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z | ||||||
Talkatron | 1985 | Sears \ Tiger | None | No | ||
Talking Computron | 1986 | Sears | None | No | The Talking Computron has a Red 8x1 LCD Screen, 19 activities/games built in, and had a speech synthesis capabilities that were impressive for the time. Sears also sold four cartridges for extra content at their stores as well. | |
Talking Master Mouse Computer | 1993 | Texas Instruments | None | No | ||
Talking Whiz Kid | 1986 | VTech | None | No | The Talking Whiz Kid is the first computer in one of VTech's longest product lines. | |
Talking Whiz Kid Animated | 1995 | VTech | None | No | ||
Talking Whiz Kid Challenger | 1994 | VTech | None | No | ||
Talking Whiz Kid Einstein \ Millennium | 1995 | VTech | None | No | ||
Talking Whiz Kid Explorer | 1994 | VTech | None | No | ||
Talking Whiz Kid Genius | 1993 | VTech | None | No | ||
Talking Whiz Kid Honors | 1995 | VTech | None | No | ||
Talking Whiz Kid Knowledge Ball | 1994 | VTech | None | No | ||
Talking Whiz Kid Lessons | 1997 | VTech | None | No | ||
Talking Whiz Kid Mouse Pro | 1995 | VTech | None | No | ||
Talking Whiz Kid Notebook | 1992 | VTech | None | No | ||
Talking Whiz Kid Notebook 2000 \ 3000 | 1996 | VTech | None | No | ||
Talking Whiz Kid Plus | 1990 | VTech | None | No | ||
Talking Whiz Kid Power Mouse | 1995 (Power Mouse) 1997 (Power Mouse Deluxe) |
VTech | None | No | ||
Talking Whiz Kid Super Animated | 1997 | VTech | None | No | ||
Teach & Talk Exploration Learning Laptop |
2016 | MerchSource\DCL | None | No | ||
Tote & Go Laptop | 2005 | VTech | None | No | ||
Type-Right | 1985 | VTech | None | No | ||
U A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z | ||||||
Ultra Pack PC | 1995 | Tiger Electronics | None | No | ||
W A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z | ||||||
Webstart Computer | 1998 | Tiger Electronics | None | No |
Educational computers (OS-Based)
Unlike most educational computers, the systems here have an actual OS and not just a basic GUI to get from program to another.
Model | Year | Developer / Distributor | MAME support | ROMs | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ClassMaster Notebook | 2002 | VTech | None | No | |
CNC-9606 Notebook | 1997 | Comet | None | No | Released during the 90s coupon craze that Turkey had. the CNC9606 was given out by Turkish newspapers after exchanging a coupon for it. and was designed to be both a simple PDA and a tool to teach basic English and Computer skills. there was different versions depending on the newspaper you sent the coupon to, some had floppy drives and expansion ports while other had those features removed. it's unknown how many were given out. |
IQ Unlimited Computer | 1991 | VTech | Preliminary | No | This was the most advance educational computer Vtech ever released, it has a fully realized OS, 11 pre-loaded programs, Z80 CPU, and a BASIC interpreter. this is also one of the the rarest educational computer as it was not cheap when it launch in 1991. |
IQ TV 512 | 1998 | VTech | None | No | The 512 is a minor update to the Precomputer Unlimited, increasing the RAM capacity from 128kb to 512kb. |
Precomputer Unlimited (PCU) | 1996 | VTech | Preliminary | No | Released in 1998 by VTech, The Unlimited is a Console-Computer hybrid akin to something like the Coleco Adam, Atari XEGS or the Odyssey 2. the Precomputer brand dates back to 1988 with the model 1000, and was your typical educational computer of the era. The Unlimited's main OS was heavily influenced by Windows 3.1 and the system it self included 45 programs built-in. Basic features and oddities that came standard on most late 90s and early 2000s VTech educational computers can be found on the PCU as well. this includes a cartridge slot for more programs and games, a parallel port for printing and an odd mouse that plugged into an RJ11 port. It is unknown how many units were sold, how many game were made for it or when it was discontinued. |
The Equalizer | 1996 | Vtech | None | No |