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anchor: dtthreeeight
Huge thanks to Yke for giving me this computer!
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This is the Tulip Vision Line DT386 SX, which, as mentioned above, I received from Yke. He reached out to me via the contact page, asking if I was interested in this computer, along with a VGA CRT monitor, keyboard, mouse, and a collection of fascinating diskettes and documentation (which will soon be available on the RetroMelsArchive site). The computer was originally sold by the Dutch government to its employees for 100 (fl.) guilders—a great deal, in my opinion! It works very well, and now I can finally start planning a video about Tulip Computers.
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More pictures to appear soon...
Soon to appear on the channel!
anchor: compacttwee
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I love this PC, I think it is my favorite IBM compatible. The main reason for that being it's size. I love other PC's too like the 5150 and my lovely Laser 286 but those are just so big and almost don't fit on my desk. The Tulip PC compact is a system with a 3,5 and 5,25 inch disk drive.
Specs: On September 9, 1987 Tulip Computers introduced the Tulip PC Compact 2 as the successor to the Tulip System PC Compact. The Tulip PC Compact 2 was designed for the lower end of the European microcomputer market, a market segment that was extremely competitive at the time. |
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The NEC V20 microprocessor is the reliable heart of Tulip PC Compact 2. The clock speed is optionally switchable (4.77 / 7.15/9.54 MHz); the system is one of the fastest of its generation. The system has 5 slots and as standard on the motherboard 640 Kb of internal memory, a floppy controller with high density (!) support, a real time clock/calendar, mouse interface, a serial port and a parallel port.
By using the in-house developed ASICs, it has become possible to build a very compact system. In terms of dimensions, the system is significantly smaller than its peers on the market. The system is supplied with a DGA video adapter as standard, but an EGA compatible adapter (TEVA) is also available at an additional cost. Complete with operating software as well as Windows, Write and Paint from MicroSoft, the system is delivered in 1988 in the standard configuration (20Mb HDU, 360Kb FDU and DGA-monochrome) at the price of HFL 4490, = (excl. VAT).
The Tulip PC Compact 2 is the showpiece of the computer-loving Netherlands. This product will be the turning point for Tulip. At the end of 1987, beginning of 1988, the business community in our country wants its employees to use computers en masse. To this end, so-called PC-Prive projects are organised. Employees can choose from a number of beautiful configurations at a discounted rate. Olivetti and Tulip lead the way in the PC slide. Tulip has turned off an enormous number of computers in a very short time. The factory ran 7 days a week and batches of computers intended for the UK market were recalled to meet demand.
Translated to English from the amazing website: https://www.tulipgv.nl/tpcc2.htm
By using the in-house developed ASICs, it has become possible to build a very compact system. In terms of dimensions, the system is significantly smaller than its peers on the market. The system is supplied with a DGA video adapter as standard, but an EGA compatible adapter (TEVA) is also available at an additional cost. Complete with operating software as well as Windows, Write and Paint from MicroSoft, the system is delivered in 1988 in the standard configuration (20Mb HDU, 360Kb FDU and DGA-monochrome) at the price of HFL 4490, = (excl. VAT).
The Tulip PC Compact 2 is the showpiece of the computer-loving Netherlands. This product will be the turning point for Tulip. At the end of 1987, beginning of 1988, the business community in our country wants its employees to use computers en masse. To this end, so-called PC-Prive projects are organised. Employees can choose from a number of beautiful configurations at a discounted rate. Olivetti and Tulip lead the way in the PC slide. Tulip has turned off an enormous number of computers in a very short time. The factory ran 7 days a week and batches of computers intended for the UK market were recalled to meet demand.
Translated to English from the amazing website: https://www.tulipgv.nl/tpcc2.htm
anchor: compact
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This computer is still a bit of a mystery to me, I like that it manages to surprise me with it features like the fact that it has a hard drive which quite surprised me.
Specs: When it turned out that IBM had set the trend in the field of the Personal Computer, it was a must for many computer builders to put a compatible system on the market. Tulip initially developed two machines that were eligible for this. The Tulip System PC Compact was one of them. A machine built around the INTEL 8088 8MHz. By default, the system contained 256Kb of RAM. As video controller, a MAGDA (Monochrome and Graphics Display Adapter) was chosen. A standard system was further provided with two 40 tracks 5.25" disk drives and optionally a 10.27Mb Harddisk. The Compact 1, as the machine was commonly called, ran under MS-DOS 3.21 by default. Expansion possibilities were only available by using an expansion bus. When Tulip has three other trump cards on the market around the end of 1987, the production of the Compact 1 is discontinued. The warehouses are sold empty and then it's over. The company will then continue to provide support for another seven years. Translated to English from dutch source https://www.tulipgv.nl/tc1.htm |
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More pictures to come...
anchor: systemeen
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I remember vividly walking into the Home Computer Museum for the third time. The front part of the museum housed the ticket desk and a small store. My friend Bianca joined me on this visit. After having our tickets scanned, we were about to start our walk through the museum when I quickly scanned the shelves of the store. To my surprise, I spotted a computer that had a distinctive outline and color, indicating its rarity. Upon closer inspection, I confirmed that it was indeed a rare piece of retro tech—a Tulip System I.
The fact that such a rare item was available for purchase took me by surprise. Considering the museum's asking price, which was certainly not cheap, I decided to explore the museum first and think about it before making a decision. I was concerned that someone else might snatch it up in the meantime. After a couple of hours, we finished our visit to the museum and returned to the store and ticket desk area. I needed to pick up some boot disks that I had purchased for my Philips P2000C. |
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Unable to confirm if the Tulip System I was in working order, I couldn't resist asking the person at the desk about it. Although he didn't have immediate knowledge, he checked their system and confirmed that it was indeed in working order. The opportunity to own a computer that was high on my want list and that I could create a video about was too tempting. I gave in to my desire and purchased the System I. This also meant that November 28th, 2022, became, I believe, the day I spent the most on vintage hardware, as I was also on my way to pick up my Sharp MZ80K that same day.
Now, let's talk about the Tulip System I. It's a 16-bit machine that Tulip introduced as their first self-produced computer. Prior to the System I, Tulip sold Exidy Sorcerer computers under the name CompuData, a name that is still displayed on this computer as well. Initially, the machine ran CPM-86 (an operating system I'm not familiar with), but it quickly transitioned to DOS 2.00. It will be an interesting challenge to explore the possibility of connecting a disk drive to the system using an adapter. Additionally, I'd like to see if I can utilize a SCSI to SD converter with the SASI port.
Now, let's talk about the Tulip System I. It's a 16-bit machine that Tulip introduced as their first self-produced computer. Prior to the System I, Tulip sold Exidy Sorcerer computers under the name CompuData, a name that is still displayed on this computer as well. Initially, the machine ran CPM-86 (an operating system I'm not familiar with), but it quickly transitioned to DOS 2.00. It will be an interesting challenge to explore the possibility of connecting a disk drive to the system using an adapter. Additionally, I'd like to see if I can utilize a SCSI to SD converter with the SASI port.
anchor: ltthreeeightsix
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This is Tulip's inaugural release of a portable computer, and while it boasts a remarkably comfortable keyboard for typing, its weight can be quite cumbersome. I managed to acquire this computer at a reasonable price and dedicated a few hours to testing its functionality. wondering if it still works? well I hope to show that off in a future video!
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