![\"Synertek](\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20250505_194054835-scaled.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe Synertek SYM-1 was a pioneering single board computer introduced in 1975, designed by Ray Holt for Synertek Systems. It was a significant product in the early microcomputer era, offering a complete and versatile platform for learning and development. The Synertek SYM-1 was a single-board “trainer” computer notable for its use of the 6502 processor, enhanced monitor ROM, expandable RAM, and versatile I\/O options, including an RS-232 serial port and a unique oscilloscope display interface. Its claim to fame was being a more advanced, compatible successor to the KIM-1, offering features like vectored I\/O routines and high-speed cassette storage, which made it popular for education, hobbyists, and as a development platform, selling\u00a0 ~50,000 units<\/p>\n
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- Manufacturer<\/strong>: Synertek<\/li>\n
- Release Date<\/strong>: 1975<\/li>\n
- Cost at release<\/strong>: USD $240 (CAD ~$1,000 adjusted for inflation)<\/li>\n
- Cost with peripherals<\/strong>: USD $800 (CAD ~$3,300 adjusted for inflation)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Hardware Specifications<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
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- CPU<\/strong>: Synertek 6502 running at 1 MHz<\/li>\n
- Memory<\/strong>\n
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- RAM: 1 KB expandable to 4 KB on-board<\/li>\n
- ROM: 4 KB (expandable to 24 KB)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Ports<\/strong>:\n
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- 28-key dual-function keyboard<\/li>\n
- 6-digit LED display<\/li>\n
- 48 programmable parallel I\/O lines (expandable to 71)<\/li>\n
- Serial interface (RS-232 and teletype compatible)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Storage<\/strong>: Audio cassette interface<\/li>\n
- Dimensions<\/strong>: 10.75″ x 8.25″ x 0.5″<\/li>\n
- Power<\/strong>: Single 5V power supply<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Operating System & Programming Languages<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Operating System<\/strong>: Supermon monitor<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Supported Languages<\/strong>: 6502 assembly (via its built-in monitor and optional Resident Assembler\/Editor), BASIC (through an add-on ROM), and could also run languages like Pascal, Forth, and even C with appropriate software tools and configuration<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Notables<\/h3>\n
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The SYM-1 was originally called the VIM-1 (Versatile Input Monitor) and was designed by Ray Holt as a more advanced, compatible successor to the KIM-1<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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It featured unique capabilities for its time, such as allowing an oscilloscope to be used as a 32-character display and included a high-speed (185 bytes\/second) cassette storage interface-much faster than its competitors<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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The SYM-1 included a sophisticated monitor ROM (Supermon) with vectored I\/O, making it easy to interface with new hardware and develop custom routines-an approach later seen in the BBC Micro<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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It was known for its robust I\/O lines, expandability, and the ability to run on a single +5V power supply, making it popular for education, prototyping, and embedded applications<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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The SYM-1 was sometimes referred to as the VIM-1 in early documentation and circles<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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While not as widely recognized as some contemporaries, it sold about 50,000 units and played a significant role in early microcomputer development and education, especially as a trainer and for hardware interfacing<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Its flexible ROM sockets allowed users to add languages like BASIC, Resident Assembler\/Editor, and Macro Assembler, making it adaptable for various uses<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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The SYM-1\u2019s design and documentation inspired a dedicated user community and newsletters, such as the SYM-Physis User Group<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
Donated by<\/strong>: Arlen Michaels<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Synertek SYM-1 [vin43] The Synertek SYM-1 was a pioneering single board computer introduced in 1975, designed by Ray Holt for Synertek Systems. It was a significant product in the early microcomputer era, offering a complete and versatile platform for learning and development. The Synertek SYM-1 was a single-board “trainer” computer notable for its use of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"parent":19704,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","_mi_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"yoast_head":"\n
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- Dimensions<\/strong>: 10.75″ x 8.25″ x 0.5″<\/li>\n
- Memory<\/strong>\n
- Release Date<\/strong>: 1975<\/li>\n