Olivetti M240

[vin38]

The Olivetti M240, launched in 1984, was a notable IBM-compatible personal computer featuring an 8 MHz Intel 8086 processor (faster than the IBM PC’s 8088), 640 KB of RAM, support for high-density floppy drives, and a larger case with expanded ISA slots for greater customization and peripheral support. Its claim to fame was its enhanced performance and expandability, positioning Olivetti as a major European innovator in the PC market and contributing to the widespread adoption of IBM-compatible systems by offering both technical improvements and design versatility.

Manufacturer: Olivetti, an Italian company that was one of Europe’s leading computer makers during the 1980s
Type: Desktop computer
Release Date: 1984
Cost at release: USD $2,500 (CAD ~$6,000 adjusted for inflation)
MIPS: 0.6 (600 KIPS)

Hardware Specifications

CPU: Intel 8086 processor running at 8 MHz
Memory: Up to 640 KB RAM (standard for the era)
Storage: Hard disk drive options (typically 10 MB or 20 MB)
Video: CGA graphics compatibility (Color Graphics Adapter)
Parallel and serial ports for printer and modem connections
Detachable keyboard
Large desktop case design for expandability
IBM PC compatibility

Operating System & Programming Languages

Operating System:
- primarily ran MS-DOS (versions such as 3.20 and 3.30), which ensured compatibility with a wide range of IBM PC software.
- It could also run alternative operating systems including CP/M-86, UCSD-P, PCOS, Xenix, and UNIX System V (on certain models)
Supported Languages: GW-BASIC, Pascal, and other languages available for MS-DOS and CP/M-86 environments, such as C, Fortran, and Assembly

Notables

The Olivetti M240 was an improved successor to the M24, featuring a faster Intel 8086 CPU at 8 MHz and a full 16-bit data bus, making it notably quicker than many IBM PCs of the era.
Its large, expandable case and extra ISA slots made it highly customizable; enthusiasts have retrofitted them with modern upgrades like SCSI hard drives, VGA cards, and Sound Blaster audio.
The M240 was sometimes humorously referenced for being “all made in Italy,” and its scarcity today makes it a prized collector’s item among vintage computing enthusiasts.
Olivetti-branded peripherals, such as mice made by Logitech, added to its unique international flavor.
While it didn’t have a widely recognized nickname, it was sometimes called a “super XT” by hobbyists due to its advanced features for an XT-class machine.
The M240’s significance lies in its role as a leading European IBM-compatible PC, cementing Olivetti’s reputation for innovation and helping to drive the adoption of open PC architectures in the 1980s

Donated by: Arlen Michaels

Vintage Computing Collection