The Fujitsu FM-X is one of the first MSX models to be released, and the only MSX computer ever made by Fujitsu. Indeed Fujitsu had another competing computer range which was quite successful, in the form of the FM-7, FM-8 and FM-77, and which were based on a Motorola 6809 processor. Thus Fujitsu didn't really insist in producing other MSX models.
The FM-X has only 16 KB of RAM, 1 cartridge port and no printer interface. It's a very minimal version of a MSX computer.
Hopefully by inserting the Fujitsu MB22451 cartridge in the 60-pin expansion slot, you get an additional 16KB RAM and a printer interface.
With the Fujitsu MB22450 expansion package, you could something crazy: connect the FM-X to the FM-7 so that each computer can benefit from each other features !! For example, the FM-X can thus use 32 KB RAM from the FM-7, or the optional FM sound chip, or the printer, or the RS-232C card, or use its keyboard or even use the FM-7 monitor to view/modify the content of the memory, etc. Crazy I told you!
In the opposite direction, the FM-7 could use the PSG channels of the FM-X, or its connected joysticks.
Although the FM-X has a standard Texas Instruments TMS9928ANL VDP, the RGB colors are different because an additional circuit reworks the palette to be the same as used on the Fujitsu FM-7. It's encoded in 3-bit RGB, reducing the palette from 16 colors to 8 colors.
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Thanks to Generation-msx.nl for the picture and to MSX.org for some of the info !
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