Originally the CPC was destined to be designed around the 6502 processor. But when Amstrad approached [[Locomotive Software]] to develop a Basic for it with a very tight deadline, Locomotive PLC, who already had a Z80 Basic in the works, urged and convinced Amstrad to switch to the Z80.
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== History ==
Motorola created the 6800, a popular microprocessor in the 1970s. Chuck Peddle and his team, after leaving Motorola, developed the 6501 at MOS Technology.
The 6501 was pin-compatible with the 6800, meaning it could be used in the same systems without any changes. However, this led to legal trouble with Motorola, who argued that the 6501 infringed on their patents.
To resolve this, MOS Technology stopped producing the 6501 and introduced the 6502. While the 6502 was similar in design to the 6501 and 6800, it was no longer pin-compatible with the 6800, avoiding further legal issues.
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