Olivetti 24

The Olivetti M24, introduced in 1983, was a significant vintage personal computer notable for its advanced features and compatibility with IBM PC standards.

Technical Specifications:

• CPU: Intel 8086 at 8 MHz (standard model); later variants included faster CPUs such as the Intel 80286 (AT&T PC 6300 Plus at 6 MHz, PC 6310 at 8 MHz, PC 6312 at 12 MHz, and the M24 SP at 10 MHz)12.

• Co-processor: Optional Intel 8087 arithmetic co-processor running at the same clock speed (8 MHz)2.

• Memory: Initially 128 KB or 256 KB RAM, expandable up to 640 KB12.

• Storage:

  • Floppy disk drive: One or two 5.25″ drives (360 KB each)12.

  • Hard disk: Optional, typically ranging from 5 MB to 20 MB depending on configuration12.

• Graphics and Display:

  • Enhanced CGA-compatible graphics via Video Enhanced Adapter EGC 2413 and Motorola HD6845 CRTC.

  • Supported resolutions:

    • Standard CGA modes: 320×200 and 640×200 pixels.

    • Enhanced modes: notably a high-resolution mode of 640×400 pixels with up to 16 colors, and a less common mode of 512×256 pixels with up to 8 colors12.

• Sound: Simple internal beeper12.

• Operating Systems Supported: MS-DOS 2.1, CP/M-86, UCSD-P, PCOS, Xenix, UNIX System V (on certain models like AT&T PC6300 Plus)12.

• Expansion Slots: Seven standard ISA slots; some slots featured proprietary second connectors for Olivetti-specific expansion cards13.

• Keyboard and Mouse: Proprietary keyboard with either 83 or 92 keys; optional mouse connected via keyboard1.

Significance:

Technological Advancements:

• The Olivetti M24 employed the more powerful Intel 8086 CPU at a higher clock speed (8 MHz) compared to IBM’s contemporary PC XT, which used the slower Intel 8088 at only 4.77 MHz. This made the M24 significantly faster and more capable in terms of processing power14.

• Its graphics capabilities were notably superior for the era. The enhanced video adapter allowed higher resolution graphics modes (640×400 pixels), making it suitable for graphical applications like Lotus 1-2-3 and Symphony1.

Compatibility and Market Impact:

• Designed to be highly compatible with IBM PCs, the Olivetti M24 gained attention as a viable alternative to IBM’s offerings. It was sold under multiple brand names internationally—including AT&T PC6300 in North America and Xerox 6060—reflecting its broad market acceptance14.

• The strategic partnership with AT&T significantly boosted sales in North America. Although initial U.S. sales were modest compared to IBM’s dominance, by late 1986 AT&T’s version of the M24 had become a notable player in the market3.

Historical Importance:

• The Olivetti M24 marked Olivetti’s successful entry into IBM-compatible computing after the commercial failure of its earlier proprietary model (the Olivetti M20). Its DOS compatibility opened it up to mainstream software availability, significantly increasing its appeal4.

• By achieving strong sales particularly in Europe—becoming Europe’s leading personal computer by volume in 1986—the M24 helped Olivetti secure a prominent position globally as the third-largest PC manufacturer that year34.

In summary, the Olivetti M24 was an influential vintage computer due to its robust specifications, advanced graphics capabilities, strategic compatibility with IBM standards, and significant commercial success—particularly in Europe—making it an important milestone in personal computing history.