Osborne Vixen: Difference between revisions

Automated update by bot
 
No edit summary
 
(5 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Infobox computer
{{Infobox computer
| name        = Osborne Vixen
| name        = Osborne Vixen
| image        = [[File:OsborneVixen.jpg|250px]]
| image        = [[File:Osborne-vixen.jpg|250px]]
| caption      = Osborne Vixen portable computer
| caption      = Osborne Vixen portable computer
| manufacturer = Osborne Computer Corporation
| manufacturer = Osborne Computer Corporation
Line 16: Line 16:
| weight      = 18 lbs (8.2 kg)
| weight      = 18 lbs (8.2 kg)
| os          = CP/M 2.2
| os          = CP/M 2.2
| predecessor  = [[Osborne 1]]
| predecessor  = [[Osborne Executive]]
| successor    =  
| successor    =  
| codename    = Encore
| codename    = Encore
| model        = OCC-4
| model        = OCC-4
| logo        = [[File:Osborne logo.svg|250px]]
}}
}}


The '''Osborne Vixen''' is a Z80-based portable computer introduced by Osborne Computer Corporation in late 1984 as the successor to the Osborne 1. Designed as a compact, luggable CP/M system, the Vixen featured a larger screen, increased storage, and improved portability for business users.
The '''Osborne Vixen''' is a Z80-based portable computer introduced by Osborne Computer Corporation in late 1984 as the successor to the Osborne Executive. Designed as a compact, luggable CP/M system, the Vixen featured a larger screen, increased storage, and improved portability for business users.


== 🧠 Architecture and Processor ==
== Architecture and Processor ==
At its core, the Osborne Vixen utilised the '''Zilog Z80A''' microprocessor running at 4 MHz. The Z80A was a popular 8-bit CPU for CP/M systems, offering robust performance for business and productivity applications of the era.
At its core, the Osborne Vixen utilised the '''Zilog Z80A''' microprocessor running at 4 MHz. The Z80A was a popular 8-bit CPU for CP/M systems, offering robust performance for business and productivity applications of the era.


Line 34: Line 33:
* ROM for boot and system diagnostics
* ROM for boot and system diagnostics


== 💾 Memory and Storage ==
== Memory and Storage ==
The Vixen shipped with:
The Vixen shipped with:
* '''64 KB RAM''' – the maximum supported by CP/M 2.2, used for operating system, applications, and RAM disk.
* '''64 KB RAM''' – the maximum supported by CP/M 2.2, used for operating system, applications, and RAM disk.
Line 42: Line 41:
The floppy drives supported standard CP/M disk formats, and the system could emulate a RAM disk for faster temporary storage.
The floppy drives supported standard CP/M disk formats, and the system could emulate a RAM disk for faster temporary storage.


== 🖥️ Display and Graphics ==
== Display and Graphics ==
The Osborne Vixen featured a:
The Osborne Vixen featured a:
* '''7-inch monochrome CRT display'''
* '''7-inch monochrome CRT display'''
Line 50: Line 49:
The larger screen was a significant improvement over the Osborne 1's 5-inch display, allowing full-width CP/M text editing and spreadsheet work.
The larger screen was a significant improvement over the Osborne 1's 5-inch display, allowing full-width CP/M text editing and spreadsheet work.


== 🔊 Sound Capabilities ==
== Sound Capabilities ==
Sound on the Vixen was limited to a simple internal beeper, used for system alerts and keypress feedback. No advanced audio hardware or synthesis was provided.
Sound on the Vixen was limited to a simple internal beeper, used for system alerts and keypress feedback. No advanced audio hardware or synthesis was provided.


== 🎮 Input/Output and Expansion ==
== Input/Output and Expansion ==
The Osborne Vixen included a variety of I/O ports and expansion options:
The Osborne Vixen included a variety of I/O ports and expansion options:
* '''Parallel port''' (Centronics-compatible) for printers
* '''Parallel port''' (Centronics-compatible) for printers
Line 63: Line 62:
Expansion was limited compared to desktop CP/M systems, but the Vixen's ports allowed connection to most business peripherals of the era.
Expansion was limited compared to desktop CP/M systems, but the Vixen's ports allowed connection to most business peripherals of the era.


== 🔍 PCB Schematics & Service Manual ==
== PCB Schematics & Service Manual ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />


{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:80%; text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:80%; text-align:center;"
! style="background-color:#f2f2f2;"| Main Logic Board
! Main Logic Board & IO
! style="background-color:#f2f2f2;"| Power Supply Board
! Schematics
|-
|-
| [[File:OsborneVixen_Mainboard.jpg|thumb|center|250px|Osborne Vixen Main Logic Board]][[File:OsborneVixen_Schematic.png|center|thumb|Osborne Vixen Mainboard Schematic]]
| [[File:Vixen CPU top.jpg|center|thumb|249x249px|Osborne Vixen Main Logic Board]][[File:Vixen IO top.jpg|center|thumb|Osborne Vixen IO Board]]
| [[File:OsborneVixen_PowerBoard.jpg|thumb|center|250px|Osborne Vixen Power Supply Board]][[File:OsborneVixen_PowerSchematic.png|center|thumb|Power Supply Schematic]]
| [[File:Vixen Schematic.pdf|center|thumb|Osborne Vixen Schematic]]
|}
|}


The official '''Osborne Vixen Service Manual''' and full schematics are available via the [https://archive.org/details/OsborneVixenServiceManual archive.org technical archive].
The official '''Osborne Vixen Service Manual''' and full schematics are available on the [[:Category:Osborne Documentation|Osborne Documentation]] category page


== 📷 Gallery ==
== Gallery ==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
File:OsborneVixen.jpg|Osborne Vixen portable computer (front view)
File:Osborne-vixen.jpg|Osborne Vixen portable computer (front view)
File:OsborneVixen_Rear.jpg|Rear panel with I/O ports
File:osborne-vixen-back.jpg|Rear panel with I/O ports
File:OsborneVixen_Mainboard.jpg|Main logic board
File:Vixen CPU top.jpg|Main logic board
File:OsborneVixen_PowerBoard.jpg|Power supply board
</gallery>
</gallery>


== 🧪 Related Pages ==
== Related Pages ==
* [[Osborne Vixen General Maintenance]]
* [[Osborne Vixen Maintenance Guide|Osborne Vixen General Maintenance]]
* [[Osborne Vixen Troubleshooting Guide]]
* [[Osborne Vixen Troubleshooting Guide]]
* [[Osborne 1]]
* [[Osborne 1]]
* [[CP/M Software Library]]


[[Category:Osborne Computers]]
[[Category:Osborne]]
[[Category:Portable Computers of the 1980s]]
 
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />