[vcf-midatlantic] 8-bits and 80 columns

[Jonathan Chapman]

I'd say Kaypros were popular enough to be in this category. Most contemporary CP/M boxes that used video eventually went to 80-column, even when it was an unfortunate choice for the CRT (e.g. Osborne).

Thanks,
Jonathan




------- Original Message -------
On Saturday, June 25th, 2022 at 09:31, John Heritage via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic at lists.vcfed.org> wrote:


>
>
> Hey all --
>
> Which (popular) 8-bit computers gained "easy" or even "standard" 80 column
> support?
>
> I know there are a ton more 8bits than I'll list below, but my
> understanding is:
>
> Atari 8bit -- XEP80 official accessory but almost no one bought it; used
> joystick ports.. slow and limited 80 column (black and white?). Atari did
> have a 60 column graphics/text mode IIRC. there is a software hack that
> uses narrow characters for '80 columns' but hard to read, and came out
> after the machine was no longer commerically sold.
>
> Apple II - supported via cards. If 80 column support became common, when
> did it become common? what was normal for color count, etc?
>
> C64 - C128 mode natively offered 80 column support; millions of these
> sold. So maybe common later on? 16 colors.
>
> PET - no 80 column?
>
> C Plus/4 - software hack?
>
> ZX Spectrum -- available via some clones only, not common?
>
> BBC Micro - Looks like a native mode for 80 column support?
>
> TRS-80 - no native 80 column support?
>
> Thanks!
> John