Amstrad User Group
Amstrad User Group
PcW 10
The PcW 10 was launched in August 1993 as successor of the PcW 9256, of which stock had run out. The machine does resemble the PcW 9256 but has twice the memory (512 kilobytes) and the blunder with the Centronics connector, used for the not-Centronics compatible own printer, was rectified in this model.
The second picture clearly shows the similarities of the keyboard of the 10 and 9256 with the 8256 and 8512. There is one more similarity: software version. It comes standard with an outdated version of LocoScript 1! With the initial introduction of the PCW's, Amstrad gave software house LocoMotive the option of a lump sum for their LocoScript or a percentage per machine sold. LocoMotive gambled wrong and opted for the lump sum... After the sale successes LocoMotive finally wanted to cash in with this machine and asked a price that was not acceptable to Amstrad. Because even the dot matrix printer supplied is nearly identical to the 8256, 8512 and 9256 (not exchangeable with either one of them because of the connectors) version 1 could still be used and was supplied by Amstrad indeed. I am not sure whether many owners upgraded to more recent versions of LocoScript, thus allowing LocoMotive to cash in after all...
Although this is technically the best model of PCW/PcW's made it was never on the Dutch market. The Amstrad subsidiary in Zeist (now liquidated) was starting up and was more aimed at personal computers. The PcW 10 would probably have sold less than the 8000-series did and, although it was popular in England, it was the last true Joyce.
To the main PCW-page.
