The information we have about this computer is sketchy.
O.S. was a powerful graphical BASIC interpreter modded from the TI basic.
Forth language was also available but not widely used.
Cortex had a mode to give 256 K RAM. ROM was copied into RAM at start-up and then swiched off allowing boot code and basic to be altered at start-up.
Cortex was followed by the Cortex II which was just a re cased version with same style as early apple/dragon 32 beige/yellow plastic sloping cases, but using same main board and disk drives.
We need more info about this computer ! If you designed, used, or have more info about this system,
please send us pictures or anything you might find useful.
I have a Cortex 2, built from old stock kit last year. It''s running complete with the FDC and dual 5.25" drives from a BBC computer. If you have the missing copies of the Cortex user group magazine please visit http://www.vintage-computer.com/vcforum/showthread.php?15580-Powertran-Cortex and let us know.
Jim
Friday 4th January 2013
Jim Hearne (UK)
The ETI article for the cortex can be found here ftp://whtech.com/Powertran$20Cortex also includes an emulator, Roms etc. Enjoy! Keith
Thursday 4th November 2010
FreeThinker (UK)
HI, I still have my cortex stored in my loft in essex but at the moment it is not working, would love to get it up and going again.
Monday 31st May 2010
david loudfoot (uk)
NAME
CORTEX
MANUFACTURER
Powertran Cybernetics
TYPE
Professional Computer
ORIGIN
United Kingdom
YEAR
1983
BUILT IN LANGUAGE
Power Basic and simple assembler/disassember.
KEYBOARD
Full-strok keyboard with numeric keypad
CPU
TMS 9995 (16 bit)
SPEED
3 MHz (12 MHz crystal)
RAM
64 KB
VRAM
16 KB
ROM
24 KB
TEXT MODES
40 x 25
GRAPHIC MODES
256 x 192
COLORS
16
SOUND
built in speaker with primitive sound function
SIZE / WEIGHT
Unknown
I/O PORTS
Serial RS-232C, Tape recorder port, optional Parallel printer card made by the Cortex User Group, Ebus extension bus that would take cards from the TI990 series minicomputer.
BUILT IN MEDIA
Optional 5.25'' FDD (worked off a TMS9909 FDC. The Basic included a 'Boot' command which would boot the disk.)
OS
No OS
POWER SUPPLY
Built-in PSU
PRICE
£249 + vat (later £199 + vat) for a kit of self assemby parts. Construction details in 'Electronics today international' magazine
