21) The “Training Kit” Boom

  
Mitsubishi Electric’s MELCS8/2 microcomputer kit.

Although both were classified in the “microcomputer kit” category, NEC’s TK-80 was an assembly kit, while Mitsubishi Electric’s MELC 8/2 was sold as a preassembled product with parts on printed circuit boards. These kinds of products were classified as training kits or board computers. They were used by individuals and amateurs, but were mainly sold to equipment manufacturers.

These kits were made in the mid-1970’s, and 8-bit CPU were used in most cases. The MELCS 8/2 used an Intel 8080 compatible chip, the M58710S, manufactured by Mitsubishi. This time was still the “Good old days”, when domestic companies were free to produce Intel or Motorola-compatible chips. (Provided by Mitsubishi Electric)

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