6,737
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
m
{{WIP}}The precursor to the Toy aisle console, educational These computers date all the way back to the 1960s but the kind people usually think didn't exist until around 1980, when simplified systems are designed to be educational, ease of use and have the durability of a toy became popular, these computers started to died out in the late 1990s, when the [https://emulation.gametechwiki.com/index.php/Strange_and_forgotten_consoles#Toy_aisle_consoles 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 =Educational Computers=Computers Designed to be for educational purposes. these system were usually only sold and used in schools.
=Toy Computers=
<div style="max-width:100%; overflow:auto;">
{|class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="text-align:Left;"
|+ style="background: #ECECEC;"|
! scope="col"|Model
! scope="col"|Year
! scope="col"|Developer / Distributor
! scope="col"|[[MAME]] support
! scope="col"|ROMs
! scope="col"|Description
|- id="A"
| colspan="5" style="background: #ECECEC;"| '''A''' <small>{{IndexComp}}</small>
|-
|Accelerator Cyber Station
|~ Unknown
|Oregon Scientific
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|AlphaByte
|~ Unknown
|Oregon Scientific
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|- id="B"
| colspan="5" style="background: #ECECEC;"| '''B''' <small>{{IndexComp}}</small>
|-
|Buzz Lightyear Star Command Laptop
|2009
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|- id="C"
| colspan="5" style="background: #ECECEC;"| '''C''' <small>{{IndexComp}}</small>
|-
|Carmen Sandiego Acme
|~ Unknown
|Team Concepts
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Cars 2 Laptop
|2012
|Vtech
|style="background: Red;"| Preliminary
|No
|
|-
|Children's Discovery System
|1981
|Mattel
|style="background:gainsboro;"|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
|style="background: Red;"| Preliminary
|No
|
|-
|Color Blast Notebook
|2006
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Computer Cool School
|2008
|Fisher-Price
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Computer Fun
|1988
|Texas Instruments
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Computer Kid Interactive TV
|1997
|Clementoni
|style="background:gainsboro;"|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
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Computer Pal <br> In Concert
|1998
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Computer Typing Instructor
|1993
|Radio Shack
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Comquest
|1995
|Data Concepts
|style="background: Red;"| Preliminary
|No
|
|-
|Cyber Spy Notebook
|2007
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|- id="F"
| colspan="5" style="background: #ECECEC;"| '''F''' <small>{{IndexComp}}</small>
|-
|Fun 2 Learn Laptop
|2006
|Fisher Price
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|FX-Micom <br /> FX-マイコン
|1981
|Gakken
| style="background: LightGreen;"|Good
|No
|
|- id="G"
| colspan="5" style="background: #ECECEC;"| '''G''' <small>{{IndexComp}}</small>
|-
|Genius Junior
|1996
|VTech
|style="background: Red;"| Preliminary
|No
|
|-
|Genius Leader Notebook
|1993
|VTech
|style="background: Red;"| Preliminary
|No
|
|-
|Girl Fun PC
|2002
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|- id="I"
| colspan="5" style="background: #ECECEC;"| '''I''' <small>{{IndexComp}}</small>
|-
|IQ Super PC
|~ Unknown
|Team Concepts
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|- id="J"
| colspan="5" style="background: #ECECEC;"| '''J''' <small>{{IndexComp}}</small>
|-
|JC The Junior Computer
|1988
|~ Unknown
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|- id="K"
| colspan="5" style="background: #ECECEC;"| '''K''' <small>{{IndexComp}}</small>
|-
|K28 Talking<br> Learning Computer
|1981 <br>(model 7-230) <br> 1985 <br>(model 7-232)
|Tiger Electronics
|style="background:Orange;"|Imperfect<br>(model 7-230) <br> Preliminary<br>(model 7-232)
|No
|
|-
|Knights of Knowledge
|2001
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|- id="L"
| colspan="5" style="background: #ECECEC;"| '''L''' <small>{{IndexComp}}</small>
|-
|Learning Computer
|~ Unknown
|Radio Shack
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Learning Computer II
|1987
|Radio Shack
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Learning-Window Teaching Machine
|1986
|VTech
|style="background: Red;"| Preliminary
|No
|
|-
|Little Smart PC Fun
|1994
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Lesson One
|1980
|VTech
|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
|
|-
|Master Pad FM
|2001
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Math Computer
|1987
|Playtime
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Math Starter
|1988
|Fisher Price
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Mega Duck Super Junior Computer
|1995
|Welback Holdings
|style="background:skyblue;"|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
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|My First Computer
|1986
|Grandstand
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|My Own Leaptop
|2010
|LeapFrog
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|- id="N"
| colspan="5" style="background: #ECECEC;"| '''N''' <small>{{IndexComp}}</small>
|-
|Nitro Fun Notebook
|2008
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Number Cruncher
|1986
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|- id="P"
| colspan="5" style="background: #ECECEC;"| '''P''' <small>{{IndexComp}}</small>
|-
|PC Pal
|1989
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Pitagorin Junior
|1993
|VTech
|style="background: Red;"| Preliminary
|No
|
|-
|PreComputer
|1988
|VTech
|style="background: Red;"| 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 <br>Prestige Elite
|1998
|VTech
|style="background: Red;"| Preliminary
|No
|
|-
|Preschool Desktop
|~ Unknown
|Team Concepts
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|- id="S"
| colspan="5" style="background: #ECECEC;"| '''S''' <small>{{IndexComp}}</small>
|-
|See-A-Sound Phonics
|1994
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Sensu-Puter <br /> (Math Master)
|1984
|Epoch (JP) <br /> Grandstand (UK)
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Smart Start
|1986
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Smart Start Basic
|1992
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Smart Start Basic Plus
|1995
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Smart Start Elite
|1993
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Smart Start Speller
|1988
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|SmarTV
|2002
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Spell & Count
|1986
|Playtime
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Spell N' Math Typing Instructor
|~ Unknown
|Radio Shack
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Spelling Starter
|1988
|Fisher Price
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Super Color Whiz
|1993
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Super Note Club µ
|1998
|Bandai
|style="background: Red;"| Preliminary
|No
|
|
|-
|Super Smart Start
|1992
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|- id="T"
| colspan="5" style="background: #ECECEC;"| '''T''' <small>{{IndexComp}}</small>
|-
|Talkatron
|1985
|Sears \ Tiger
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Talking Computron
|1986
|Sears
|style="background:gainsboro;"|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
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Talking Whiz Kid
|1986
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|The Talking Whiz Kid is the first computer in one of VTech's longest product lines.
|-
|Talking Whiz Kid Animated
|1995
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Talking Whiz Kid Challenger
|1994
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Talking Whiz Kid Einstein \ Millennium
|1995
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Talking Whiz Kid Explorer
|1994
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Talking Whiz Kid Genius
|1993
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Talking Whiz Kid Honors
|1995
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Talking Whiz Kid Knowledge Ball
|1994
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Talking Whiz Kid Lessons
|1997
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Talking Whiz Kid Mouse Pro
|1995
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Talking Whiz Kid Notebook
|1992
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Talking Whiz Kid Notebook 2000 \ 3000
|1996
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Talking Whiz Kid Plus
|1990
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Talking Whiz Kid Power Mouse
|1995 (Power Mouse) <br> 1997 (Power Mouse Deluxe)
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Talking Whiz Kid Super Animated
|1997
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Teach & Talk Exploration <br>Learning Laptop
|2016
|MerchSource\DCL
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Tote & Go Laptop
|2005
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Type-Right
|1985
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|- id="U"
| colspan="5" style="background: #ECECEC;"| '''U''' <small>{{IndexComp}}</small>
|-
|Ultra Pack PC
|1995
|Tiger Electronics
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|- id="W"
| colspan="5" style="background: #ECECEC;"| '''W''' <small>{{IndexComp}}</small>
|-
|Webstart Computer
|1998
|Tiger Electronics
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|Whiz Kid
|1984
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|}
=Toy 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.
<div style="max-width:100%; overflow:auto;">
{|class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="text-align:Left;"
|+ style="background: #ECECEC;"|
! scope="col"|Model
! scope="col"|Year
! scope="col"|Developer / Distributor
! scope="col"|[[MAME]] support
! scope="col"|ROMs
! scope="col"|Description
|-
|ClassMaster Notebook
|2002
|VTech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|-
|IQ Unlimited Computer
|1991
|VTech
|style="background: Red;"| 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
|style="background:gainsboro;"|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
|style="background: Red;"| 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 [[wikipedia:VTech PreComputer 1000|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.
|-
|[https://vtech.fandom.com/wiki/The_Equalizer The Equalizer]
|1996
|Vtech
|style="background:gainsboro;"|None
|No
|
|}
no edit summary
<div style="max-width:100%; overflow:auto;">
{|class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="text-align:Left;"
|+ style="background: #ECECEC;"|
! scope="col"|Model
|}
----
{{NEL}}
[[Category:Computers|*]]
[[Category:Educational|*]]
[[Category:Emulated By MAME|*Various Emulation]]
