This is a highly IBM PC compatible system. It means that it is truely hardware and sotfware compatible with the IBM PC of that time. Back then, all "PC compatible" systems were not exactly 100% compatible... so it was a real marketing argument for the Olivetti M24.
There were two true tests to know if a system was really IBM PC compatible : Lotus 1-2-3 and Microsoft Flight Simulator, and the M-24 was running both with no problem.
But in addition to its good compatibility, the Olivetti M24 was offering more than the IBM PC itself : RS232c and Centronics interface built-in, more complete keyboard, better graphic possibilities (640 x 400) and 7 free expansion slots (instead of 3 for the IBM PC). Even the CPU (8086, real 16-bit) was faster than the 8088 (16-bit with an 8-bit bus) used by the IBM PC.
It runs under MS-DOS 2.11, CP/M 86, UCSD P-System and even PCOS, the Olivetti OS used on the M20.
The 128k RAM can be expanded to 256k or 640k by adding memory directly onboard. It is also possible to connect two optional 10 Mb hard disks (one internal and one external).
The Olivetti M24 was sold with a green or yellow phosphore 12" monochrome monitor, or with a color monitor (more expensive, of course). Two keyboards were available : one absolutly identical to the IBM PC's, and an Olivetti with more keys (102 instead of 83) including 18 functions keys and a complete editing keypad.
In September 85 appears a new model, the M24 SP. It is based on a M24 but its Intel 8086 is running at 10 Mhz, it has 512k RAM (still upgradable to 640k) and a 20Mb hard-disk.
Conclusion : the Olivetti M24 was the first computer to be fully compatible with the IBM PC and to offer more features than original PC, for a cheaper price !
The Olivetti M24 was also sold as the Logabax 1600 in France (Olivetti owned Logabax) and the ATT PC-6300in the USA (Olivetti signed a distribution deal with ATT). As Olivetti was not entirely satisfied with the ATT deal, it also approached Xerox to distribute its computers in the USA.
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My introduction to Olivetti computers
Back in 1985 my father bought me an Olivetti M24 with double floppy drives and a color monitor. I was already the proud owner of the Amstrad CPC 464 a 8 bit computer and was programming various different small applications with the buildin Basic languages on that one, storing them all on to the build-in tape drive. It had become clear to my father that I had the talent for making computer programs and he decided that it was time to introduce a “real” computer. He had the idea that I could make some programs on the PC that would help him run his business. I started on GW-Basic and within a short time I had made a program that could calculate the salaries for his employees. Soon there after I made a bookkeeping program. It soon became clear that GW-Basic just didn’t do the job so I moved over to Turbo Pascal. I was 17 turning 18 and had no one teaching me anything about computers or programming. It was all try and guess back then way before the internet arrived so your only "friend" at that time was the libary with a tiny $ion of old books.
See more on my YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1h0q4N3CnHTeJO3u9SfSDA
I still have my dad''s old m24 and printer been under my stairs for years. Loafs of floppy disks. Was debating if to sell it or what not sure what it''s worth
Wednesday 20th January 2021
rich anderton (United Kingdom)
There was also a portable version, the Olivetti M21. Pretty much exactly the same spec but in a ''luggable'' format very similar to the IBM Portable PC except with Olivetti styling panache. It had a 9" monochrome (amber) screen, but with colour output available to an external monitor. The keyboard was a weak point$ mine has several dodgy keys.
Tuesday 12th January 2021
Gerard (Ireland)
NAME
M24
MANUFACTURER
Olivetti
TYPE
Professional Computer
ORIGIN
Italy
YEAR
1984
BUILT IN LANGUAGE
MS-DOS and GW-Basic delivered on disks
KEYBOARD
Separated full-stroke keyboard, 102 keys, numeric keypad, 18 function keys A standard IBM keyboard (83 keys) was also proposed
CPU
Intel 8086
SPEED
8 MHz
CO-PROCESSOR
optional 8087 arithmetic co-processor, NEC 6845 video generator
RAM
128 Kb (up to 640 Kb)
VRAM
40 / 80 x 25
ROM
16 Kb
TEXT MODES
40 x 25, 80 x 25
GRAPHIC MODES
320 x 200 with 4 colors / 640 x 200 monochrom / 640 x 400 monochrom
COLORS
16
SOUND
Tone Generator
SIZE / WEIGHT
16 x 38 x 37 cm
I/O PORTS
Centronics, RS232c, mouse, keyboard
BUILT IN MEDIA
One or Two 5.25'' disk-drives (360k or 720k), optional 10 Mb hard-disks
OS
MS DOS 2.1, Concurrent CP/M 86, UCSD-P, PCOS
POWER SUPPLY
Built-in PSU, 135w
PERIPHERALS
Hard-disk, IEEE 488, RS 422, RS 232, PC Net boards, IBM 3278 coaxial network board, mouse
PRICE
2 disk-drives system : 3535 (France, 84) color monitor, 10 Mb hard-disk : 8250 (France, 85)
(France, 84)
