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.
Please consider donating your old computer / videogame system to Old-Computers.com or one of our partners from anywhere in the world (Europe, America, Asia, etc.).
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)
Hello, I''m a collector in Italy. I have around a hundred of M24 and its derivatives. I am searching the PE24. If Mr. Rob, from England is reading this message and would like to sell his PE24, I''m available. Please contact me at sa.cas@NOSPAMvirgilio.it (remove NOSPAM to get the right email address).
Mrs. Nicole (UK). The Keyboard 2 had 18 function keys, not 19. And the replacement chip for the serial synchronous communication was the 8530. I''ve actually an M24 (for the german market) which is using the 8530 instead than the 8250. You cannot plug both chips. Either the 8250 (which was the standard option for the asynchronous communication) or the 8530 (available as an option) that allowed to have 2 synchronous serial ports, unfortunately, only one was available. The other was usable only through a special board connected to the motherboard but has been discontinued and never used anymore. If anybody has questions on the M24 and other Olivetti computers, ask to me. I''m the GURU of Olivetti computers.
Regards, Vincenzo.
Monday 21st September 2020
Vincenzo (Italy)
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)
