Amstrad User Group
Amstrad User Group
The PCW 8256 & 8512: Joyce I & II
Amstrad launched the Personal Computer Wordprocessor PCW 8256 in 1985. It is an 8 bits Zilog Mostek Z-80 based computer dedicated to word processing. Although it technically classifies as a home computer (it has an 8 bit processor) this machine has a lot of storage and memory and comes as an integrated unit.
The single sided 3" disc drive (allowing for 173 kilobytes storage on each side of a 3" disc, depending on the logical format used: 173kb is CF2 format), the 256 kilobytes memory and main board are all stored with the sizeable 32 lines x 90 columns monitor. The machine does not have a separate system unit, although the keyboard comes separate. Most components are non-standard and often of lesser material, although the computer proved itself extremely reliable over the years.
The 9-pin dot matrix printer (270 dpi) that comes with it has a connector that fits the PCW only. The computer does not have standard serial or parallel ports, except for an expansion port that allows for the connection of such devices or other add-ons. The computer is prepared for mounting a double sided 3" disc drive of 720 kilobytes and an additional memory of 256 kilobytes on the main board.
Because of the components and the housing, the PCW has a minimum of loose cables and connectors and therefore can be called an early example of plug&play. The computer does not have program routines stored in ROM and requires boot (Early Morning Start) discs to start up. This also eases upgrading to new versions.
LocoMotive wrote the dedicated word processor software for Amstrad, LocoScript and the program quickly became a huge success. In The Netherlands the PCW 8256 usually came with version 1.2, by now an outdated version and replaced by dozens of newer and more powerful releases. The advantages compared to a regular word processor were (and still are) the customisation&integration of the hard- and software: the keyboard, printer and large monitor work together very well. The huge character set (as from version 2), different fonts (as from version 3) and the easy operation, especially when compared to the market software standards in the 1980's, like WordStar and WordPerfect.
Because LocoScript required a separate boot disc and the computer was a computer anyway, Amstrad decided the supply two system discs with the PCW: 4 sides in total. One containing an Early Morning Start with LocoScript, one EMS with the operating system CP/M 3.0 and 2 sides with stand-alone software (like Basic and Logo) and utilities for maintenance and operation of the CP/M system and the PCW.
Schneider, Amstrad's partner on the European continent, marketed the PCW more as a general computer than a word processor (as Amstrad did). The story goes that the nickname Joyce is derived from the secretary of Alan Mike Shugar (president of Alan Mike Sugar TRADing, better known as AMSTRAD). The PCW was marketed in England and the USA as a bargain word processor with additional possibilities (a general purpose computer). The price recommended by InfoData (sales representative of Schneider in The Netherlands) ranged from NLG 3.000 to 1.999: significantly higher than the price in the UK but nevertheless cheaper than any competition it had back then. My final selection included the Apricot FP portable and the PCW 8256. Both had a similar price, were non-DOS compatible, but the 8256 came with a printer with an impressive near letter quality. That (price) was one of the main reasons why I chose the Amstrad PCW: I was a student and could not afford much...
Amstrad marketed the PCW 8512 soon after the introduction of the 8256: this machine is virtually identical to the 8256 but for the colour (dark instead of light beige). The picture shows a Schneider PCW 8256 (to the left) and an Amstrad PCW 8512 (to the right). The latter (my personal computer) is no longer original though: the lower 3" drive has been replaced by a more narrow (as clearly can be seen) 3.5" drive.
The PCW 8256 already features expansion slots on the main board for a memory expansion of 256 kilobytes to 512 kilobytes and a bay for a double sided 3" disc drive: this effectively will match the equipment of an 8512. Other (memory) expansions are possible but will need to be connected via the expansion port on the back or will have to be welded additionally to the main board. The 8256 is the more common model in The Netherlands.
A PCW 8256 can easily be upgraded to an 8512, see http://www.fvempel.nl/upgrade.html. The 3" expansion bay had better be filled with a 3.5" drive: cheaper and more versatile. Not only is the double sided 3" drive by now a rare beast (available only as used equipment) the 3.5" allows you to exchange data with a PC more easily. You could consider a 720kb 5.25" drive too, the only problem you will have to solve is the power supply. The drive may be cheaper as well but more or less shares the same problem as the 3" does: hardly anybody uses the format any longer...
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