[[Image:pcw8256.jpg|thumb|The Amstrad PCW8256 - The first PCW computer]] [[Image:AmstradPCW9512.jpg|thumb|Amstrad PCW9512]] [[Image:AmstradPCW16.jpg|thumb|Amstrad PcW16]]
The <b>PCW</b> (<b>P</b>ersonal <b>C</b>omputer for <b>W</b>riting) was another Amstrad computer. In Germany it's better known by its codename <b>Joyce</b>, which Schneider chose to keep for the final product.
The PCW was in some ways similar to the CPC range, but also different in many ways.
8 million units sold worldwide (over 200,000 in UK) [https://www.retroisle.com/amstrad/pcw/general.php Source].
700,000 units were sold within the first 2 years [https://www.homecomputermuseum.nl/en/collectie/amstrad/amstrad-pcw-8256/ Source].
By 1989, 1.5 million units had been sold [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstrad_PCW Source].
The Daily Telegraph estimated in 2000 that 100,000 were still in use in the UK.
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== Similarities to the CPC ==
* Z80 CPU
* CP/M Plus operating system
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== Differences to the CPC ==
* 90 columns, 720×256×2 graphics (actually possible on a CPC)
* No sophisticated sound chip (Beeper only)
* Joystick support through 3rd party extensions only(the keyboard controller includes support for two joysticks, as on the CPC, but no keyboard using this was ever built).
* No AMSDOS or other DOS in ROM, only a bootloader for CP/M
* No support for tape recorders
* It has a dedicated printer microcontroller: [[Media:UPD8041AH datasheet.pdf|NEC UPD8041AH datasheet]] [[Media:Intel 8041A Datasheet.pdf|Intel 8041A datasheet]]. It is disguised as Amstrad 40026 chip on the motherboard, but it is visible in the service manual for PCW 8256.
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== Peculiarities ==
*The boot code in the PCW is stored in the printer controller.
*There are two versions of the printer controller: one for the 9512 and 9512+ (daisywheel printer), and the other for all other machines (dot matrix printer).
*The two controllers provide different boot code, making the boot disks NOT interchangeable between the machines.
*9512(+) runs versions 2.x of CP/M, other machines run 1.x. Don't worry, the only differences are the boot sector and the printer driver code.
*The machines are otherwise entirely identical and use the same gate array.
The PCW was designed as a (back then) professional computing system. This was underlined by the built-in green monitor (no support for colour monitors at all), the bundling with a printer and a word-processing software and bigger RAM (256k or 512k).
Although the name might suggest it, the PCW was more than just a word-processing system. Unlike some other similar word-processing systems of its time, it came with a normal operating system, CP/M+ GSX, and could run any software for this system, like spreadsheets, databases and so on.
The PCW had its biggest success in the UK, where it is even used up to today in some branches, e.g. small hotels.
In Germany, Schneider mainly marketed it as word-processing system, not outlining its useability usability for other purposes, so that professional users decided for IBM compatible PCs. <br> == Video == TV-Commercial for the PCW (Spanish) {{#ev:youtube|Vs4efMnLWVE|200}} A PCW512 booting {{#ev:youtube|N28JP5oYCyo|200}} <br> == Documentation == * [https://archive.org/details/pcw-8256-8512-user-manual-engacme/ PCW 8256/8512 User Manual]* [[Media:PCW8256 Service Manual-ENG-.pdf|PCW 8256 Service Manual]]* [[Media:PCW9512 Service Manual-ENG-.pdf|PCW 9512 Service Manual]]* [[Media:PCW hardware guide - 20240316.pdf|PCW Hardware]] Latest (03/2024!) PCW hardware documentation* [https://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~jacobn/cpm/pcwio.html Amstrad "Joyce" software interface specification]* [https://archive.org/details/Mallard-BASIC/ Mallard BASIC Manual] <br>
== Links ==
* [[PCW_Mainboard_Versions|PCW Mainboard Versions Page]]* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstrad_PCWPCW in the Wikipedia]* [https://www.habisoft.com/pcwwiki/doku.php?id=en:start PcwWiki] Link to wikipedia articleAmstrad PCW / Schneider Joyce wiki* [https://github.com/Zigazou/amstrad-pcw-technical-info/ Amstrad PCW technical information]* [https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/nc100-nc200-pcw-pda600/pcw-8256-in-colour-cheap-and-easy/ PCW in colour, cheap and easy]* [http://www.fvempel.nl/ PCW Joyce Computer Club]* [http://www.joyce.de Joyce User AG e.V. (German)]* [http://toastytech.com/guis/pcw.html Amstrad PcW16 GUI screenshots] <br> [[Category:Video contents]][[Category: Non CPC Computers| ]][[Category:Amstrad Products|*]][[Category:PCW]]