View source for GEM 1000

{{Short description|Belgian home computer}}
{{Infobox computing device
| name = GEM 1000
| codename = 
| aka = Charlemagne 999
| logo = 
| image = 
| caption = 
| developer = GEM International Corporation
| manufacturer = 
| family = 
| type = Computer
| generation = 
| release date = {{Start date|1983}}
| retail availability = 
| lifespan = 
| price = 
| discontinued = 
| units sold = 
| units shipped = 
| media = 
| os = [[BASIC]]
| power = 
| soc = 
| cpu = [[Zilog Z80|Zilog Z80A]]
| memory = 16&nbsp;KB
| storage = 
| memory card = Cassette tape
| display = 32×16 text in 8 colors; 128×64, 128×96, 128×192, 256×192 graphics with 2 background and 3 foreground colors
| graphics = [[MC6847]]P
| sound = [[AY-3-8910]]
| input = 50 key [[QWERTY|QWERTY keyboard]]
| controllers = 
| camera = 
| touchpad = 
| connectivity = 
| currentfw = 
| platform = 
| service = 
| dimensions = 
| weight = 
| topgame = 
| compatibility = 
| predecessor = 
| successor = 
| related = [[CCE MC-1000]], Rabbit RX83
| marketing_target = Children
| website = 
| language = 
| CPUspeed = 3.57&nbsp;MHz
}}
The '''GEM 1000 Junior Computer''', also known as '''Charlemagne 999,''' was a 1983 [[microcomputer]] sold in Belgium by ''Vidéo Direct International (VDI).''<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=Silicium : Avis de recherche 1 |url=http://silicium.org/oldskool/wanted.htm |access-date=2023-01-11 |website=silicium.org}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=August 1983 |title=Charlemagne |url=https://oldskool.silicium.org/images/wanted/charlemagnepub.jpg |work=Vidéo7}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{cite web |title=GEM 1000 Junior Computer / Charlemagne 999 |url=http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=420 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605122423/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=420 |archive-date=2010-06-05 |accessdate=2013-12-27 |work=Old computers}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> It was a low cost toy home computer for children from 5 years upwards,<ref name=":0" /> produced by [[Taiwan]] based ''GEM International Corporation''.<ref name=":5" /> It was part of a family consisting of the ''GEM-2000 Family'' ''Mini-Computer'', ''GEM-3000 Family Super Computer'' and the ''GEM-4000 Professional Computer''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Computer Models Database |url=http://www.epocalc.net/php/liste_models.php?nom=O&nocomp=pc |website=EPOCALC}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=March 1984 |title=Le docteur grant, un janus Belge... |url=https://archive.org/details/VotreOrdinateur04/page/n85/mode/1up |work=Votre Ordinateur |pages=86 |issue=4}}</ref>

The GEM 1000 used a Z80A CPU running at 3.57&nbsp;MHz, had 16&nbsp;KB of RAM, and a [[Chiclet keyboard|chiclet]] 50 key [[QWERTY|QWERTY keyboard]].<ref name=":5" /> [[BASIC]] commands were typed by pressing a single key using a dialect similar to [[Applesoft BASIC]].<ref name=":5" /> The Charlemagne 999 model used French instead of English keywords.<ref name=":7" />

The computer had a reported price of 7000 [[Belgian franc|BEF]] in early 1984.<ref name=":1" />

== Related machines ==
A similar machine, the '''Rabbit RX83''' produced by ''Rabbit Computers'' of [[Hong Kong]], was launched at the 1983 edition of the [[Consumer Electronics Show]] with a price of just US$99.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ahl |first=David H. |date=September 1983 |title=1983 Summer Consumer Electronics Show |url=https://archive.org/details/creativecomputing-1983-09/page/n205/mode/1up |work=Creative Computing |pages=202 |volume=9 |issue=9}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Rabbit Computer |url=https://archive.org/details/RabbitComputerRX83FlyerfromSummer1983CES |title=Rabbit Computer RX83 Flyer from Summer 1983 CES |date=1983 |language=English}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Garroch |first=Ken |date=March 1983 |title=Wrap-Bit RUN |url=https://archive.org/details/PersonalComputerNews/PersonalComputerNews058-21Apr1984/page/n21/mode/1up |work=Personal Computer News |pages=20, 21, 23}}</ref> Nevertheless the Rabbit only had 2&nbsp;KB of RAM, limiting the display to 32×16 characters in 8 colors or 128×64 graphics with 2 background and 3 foreground colors. 

Another computer based on the GEM 1000 was the Brazilian [[CCE MC-1000]].<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=MC 1000 CCE |url=https://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=331 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100606171828/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=331 |archive-date=2010-06-06 |access-date=2023-01-11 |website=www.old-computers.com}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=August 1986 |title=CCE |url=https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/sXDuc8mdMmS_pyCDw4cPGjx6lk4V6GLST6V1e1DTAufc3W4p1G6Ekgy6PmgiwIUuMELkppgDsPztW_uTaHAU1x6bHv7MM7_6GCsYF7eXSZd1kuIOzWRfUojypCO9WKZn3A=w1280 |work=Revista Micro Sistemas |pages=33}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Isnv7gNxyRhQTQEIycsSVBoFhChtc2oY-xdl6vysNiptc1X-ALKwOvBCtX8LqurebVK989tuScRldRUdzgAUzZGAav9PCzSiWel9Sw7lVqnXWzoXKdR6-T8gg8vWeWuUQQ=w1280 |title=Diário Oficial da União de 9 de fevereiro de 1984 |date=February 9, 1984 |pages=Seção I 2005}}</ref> 

== Technical specifications ==

* CPU: [[Zilog Z80|Zilog Z80A]], 3.57&nbsp;MHz<ref name=":5" />
* Memory: 16&nbsp;KB RAM expandable to 64&nbsp;KB; 8&nbsp;KB ROM;<ref name=":5" />
* Keyboard: 50-key [[chiclet keyboard]]<ref name=":5" />
* Display: Motorola [[MC6847]]P (32×16 text in 8 colors; 128×64, 128×96, 128×192, 256×192 graphics with 2 background and 3 foreground colors)<ref name=":5" />
* Sound: [[AY-3-8910]] (3 voices and [[white noise]])<ref name=":5" />
* Ports: [[Cassette deck|cassette recorder]] interface, [[RF modulator|TV output]] connector, [[joystick]]<ref name=":5" />

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Home computers]]
[[Category:Z80-based home computers]]