Olivetti M28
Olivetti M28
[vin39]
The Olivetti M28, launched in 1986, was notable as Olivetti’s first personal computer to feature the Intel 80286 processor, running at 8 MHz, and it came standard with 512 KB of RAM (expandable to 1 MB), a 20 MB hard drive, and support for both MS-DOS 3.2 and XENIX operating systems. Its claim to fame was its advanced graphics capabilities for the time—supporting up to 640×400 resolution in 16 colors—and expandability, including options for a math coprocessor and up to three disk units, making it a robust and versatile IBM PC-compatible system. It was rebranded and sold in North America as the AT&T PC 6310.
- Manufacturer: Olivetti, an Italian company renowned for its innovative computer and electronics products
- Type: Desktop computer
- Release Date: 1986
- Cost at release: USD $3,000 (CAD ~$10,000 adjusted for inflation)
- MIPS: 1.7
Hardware Specifications
- CPU: Intel 80286 CPU at 8 MHz
- Memory: 512 KB standard RAM, expandable to 1 MB
- Storage: 20 MB hard drive (standard), 5.25″ floppy disk drive
- Graphics: Enhanced CGA, up to 640×400 resolution in 16 colors
- Expansion: Three internal drive bays, optional Intel 80287 math coprocessor
- Ports: Serial, parallel, keyboard, video, and expansion slots
Operating System & Programming Languages
- Operating System: MS-DOS 3.2, XENIX
- Supported Languages: Assembly language for Intel 80286, C, Pascal, FORTRAN, PL/M (PL/M 86 and PL/M 286), BASIC (widely available for MS-DOS systems), and other high-level languages compatible with MS-DOS and XENIX environments, such as COBOL and dBASE
Notables
- The Olivetti M28 was the company’s first PC to use the Intel 80286 processor, marking a significant technical leap for Olivetti and positioning it as a strong IBM PC-compatible system in the mid-1980s.
- It was known for its expandability, allowing up to three disk drives and support for a math coprocessor and enhanced graphics, which was unusual for its time.
- The M28 was rebranded as the AT&T PC 6310 in the US and as the LogAbax Persona 1800 in France, reflecting its international reach and adaptability.
- Its design philosophy emphasized both technical innovation and modernist aesthetics, reinforcing Olivetti’s reputation for stylish, user-centric computers.
- The M28 helped bridge the gap between earlier PCs and more powerful AT-class systems, securing Olivetti’s place as a leader in European computing during the 1980s.
Donated by: Arlen Michaels