The Amstrad PCW8256 & PCW8512

Word Processors

EUR OPES BEST SELLING

WORD PROCESSOR RANGE

The Amstrad PCW8256 & PCW8512. Complete disc-based word-processors, including printer.

Features .._ ____ _

• High Resolution Screen

• Built-in disc drive

• 82 Key Keyboard

• 256K RAM computer

e 512KRAM(PCW8512)

• Fully Integrated printer withnumerous High Speed draft andletter quality options

• Automatic single sheet loading lever

e CP/M Plus with GSXand Dr LOGO

• AdditionalMicroprocessorsfor Keyboard andPrinter control

• Mallard BASIC0

with Jetsam

• Expansioncapability

• One Megabyte *second disc driveas standardPCW8512

Word Processing on

thePCW8256

With 256K RAM, built-in disc drive, monitor, LocoScri pt: word processing software, and complete CP!M Plus ccomputer power, Amstrad will speed up the way in which the microcomputer takes away the drudgery of office routine -simply, efficiently, completeiw.

Open tlhe box. Fix on a single mains plug. Anach the keyboatrd and printer to the screen unit. Plug in. Switch on. Insert the master disc. Put in the paper. You are now ready to start word processing.

With the "user friendly'' software of the PCW8256,, word processing need be no more comwlicated than an electric I typewriter· -although as you absorb more of th<e fundamentals and skills, then you c.an progress further to take advantage 10f some of the most

powerful word processing software available anywhere.

The IPCW8256 keyboard oontains 82 keys designed to

work directly with the LocoScript software helping

to make the job easy. The "pull down" menus of operations are accessed

using special function keys. . This avoids the need to learn a special series of

complicated codes to perform such simple tasks as moving the

cursor to the end of the line. LocoScript will lead you along thr:ough a series of

"pulll down" plain language menus of operati40ns that will help you create your

document just the way you want it, and then print it on tthe integral printer.

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Use the high speed "RAM-disc" to store infonnation whilst creating your document, then save your document using the built -in disc crive and you can read it or use it again any time you like. Instead of keeping a filing cabinet overloaded with copies of correspondence that you rarely refer to, keep a box of discs. Each disc holds some 180,000 characters. And since an average A4 page contains between 1000 and 1500 characters, that's quite a tidy alternative to 50 or so file folders! The discs are protected in tough plastic cases with automatic shutters to keep out the dirt when you tuck them in your pocket.

If your business involves standard letters and forms of contract, then you can recall a "template" document and just change the names and customer specific details on anything from a simple quotation to a complete contract.

LocoScript has a "find and exchange" function so you need only change an item once for it to be replaced every time it occurs in the entire document -and for the document to be automatically reformed.

The word processing software �-upplied has been specifically written to provide the features and facilities expected on a professional stand-alone word

processing system, and will permit simultaneous printing and editing. Features such as pagination, automatic paragraph alignment and realignment are provided, together with a powerful c:ollection of editing features such as cut and paste.

The large area screen includes a series of pull down menus accessed by simple function key selections which control all main edit and text format commands.

Word Processing on

thePCW8512 The PCW85 12 will perform all the word

processing functions found on the PCW8256 but in addition will allow you to store and process much greater amounts of information. Should you wish to install alternative word processing software, such as

LocoScript II or NewWord, the extra storage capacity will prove invaluable when handling

very large documents, extensive name and address files and dictionary files.

The second disc drive on the PCW8512, although physically the same size as the first disc drive can store four times as much information,

-.. __ a total of 1 MegaByte ( 720K Bytes formatted). Over 200 separate files can be stored on this

disc; all accessible within seconds!

Advanced computer

technology, PCW8256

The difference between a word processor anda typewriter is the computer that controls the word processor's operation. Some manufacturers allow 1ouaccess to use the data processing features of their product, whilst others concentrate on making a fumy integrated package of computer, software and print that effectively precludes use as a general purpose computer.

Amstrad offers you the best of both worlds, with a fully integrated printer supporting all these facilities in software, and a completely functional advanced computer that features the world famous computer operating system, CP!M Plus, with access to a vast range of commercial software packages.

The optional CPS8256 serial/parallel interface enables you to connect the PCW to other computrrs -or with a modem, you can send and receiveelectronic mail via services such as Telecom Goldusing the software supplied, and withadditional soft.vareyou can accessPrestel and other Viewdata systems.

External printers may also be connected via this standard interface.

The huge 256Kmemory is organised in such a way as to speed up the operation of standard programs using a technique known as a RAM disc. Instead of waiting for the disc drive to start spinning before it can be read, the RAM disc allows virtually instantaneous access to the overlay program files to speed up the execution of such programs as Sorcim's SuperCalc and Microsoft's Multiplan.

You can prepare sales foreca.�ts. perform "wha1 if!" operations on budget and cash flow projectioru, store, sort and select name and address records wilh database programs like Flexfile or Compsoft's powerful Delta transactional database system. You can learn to type from scratch with Iansyst's Crash Typing Course - or convert from being a two fingeied prodder to a fluent ten finger typist with the "Two Fingers" conversion course.

Advanced computer

technology, PCW8512

Although all CP/M applications run on both the PCW8256 and PCW8512, with the PCW85 l 2's e.normous 368K RAM disc, you can perform a fullspell-checking routine on a document usingLocoSpelI7 with it's 77,000 word dictionary. The368K RAM disc also enables you-co swap rapidly

between programs to exchange data in seconds - with no disc swapping! Disc copying is also made easier and faster with the increased capacity RAM disc. The 1 Mbyte" disc drive will allow you to create huge data files for databa.�e f

applications - or and accounts

Isimply store a large number of individual documents or programs. You keep your entire"library"of working programs l,g ff1and utilities on one disc - no more <:: ;:; searching amongstyour"collection" ti ; for the right disc. ./i

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Printing PCW8256

&PCW8512 It's difficult to see how any word processing

system could be put to serious use without a printer. So Amstrad have done the obvious thing and included a most versatile combined near letter quality and high speed draft printer as standard.

The printer provides Near Letter Quality operation at approximately 20 cps, or draft quality text at up to 90 cps (Elite pitch typestyle). Features such as pitch, italics, boldface, underline, subscript and superscript are provided by the built-in software.

Attaching and removing the tractor assembly ( supplied as standard) is very simple, taking only a couple of seconds. The tractor width is easily adjusted, so you can quickly change between printing on labels and listing paper. When operating under CP/M, the printer emulates EPSON standard printer control codes to make installation with standard software packages a simple matter.

Autofeed system

The printer has an automatic paper feed system to help align sit1gle sheets, and a

tractor mechanism for continuous stationery.

PCW8256&

PCW8512 Software To enhance the performance of your PCW8256 or PCW8512, LocoSpell and LocoMail are available as optional extras. LocoSpell is a high performance spell checker to use with LocoScript. This software is supplied with a 32,000 word dictionary for use with the PCW8256 and a massive 77,000word dictionary which operates with speed on the PCW8 512. You can produce and edit your own dictionary which operates in conjuction with the main dictionary.

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Locomail is a powerful addition to your PCW enabling you to merge address lists and data with letters and forms to produce mailshots and personalised versions of standard letters. The many features of this software include the ability to perform arithmetic functions, such as calculating the VAT on an invoice and to "fill" documents selectively, inserting the correct phrase or paragraph according to information earlier in the document or address.

Technical Specification

PCW8256/PCW8512 Specification PCW8256

General The PCW8256 is a completely self contained word

processing system including a high performance combined near letter quality/high speed draft quality printer, monitor, disc drive, computer and custom word processing software.

Additionally, the PCW8256 is supplied complete with the latest implementation of the world's most widely used 8-bit computeroperating system, CP/M Plus with GSX graphics enhancement. Locomotive Software's Mallard extended BASIC0

interpreter( featuringJetsam record management and double precision arithmetic) is provided to operate underCP/M Plus, along with the educational and training language, Dr LOGO.

Technical

Screen High Resolution Green Monitor, featuring 90 columns,

and 32 lines of text, providing 50% more information area than available on standard 80x24 screen displays.

Disc An integral disc drive using "flip over" 3" discs offering

180K of formatted storage space per side, of AMSTRAD established CP/M standards.

Keyboard and software An 82 key keyboard is provided with several function keys

dedicated to the word processing software provided with the system. The keyboard is controlled by its own custom microprocessor enabling a simple curly-cord connection to the main computer/display unit.

The word processing software supplied has been specifically written to provide all the features and facilities expected on a professional stand-alone word processing system -but using logical and carefully devised procedures that will be readily understood by even the novice computer user.

The word processing software allows simultaneous printing and editing. Features such as pagination, automatic paragraph alignment and re-alignment are provided, together with a powerful collection of editing features for cut/paste etc. The large area screen includes a series of pull down menus accessed by simple function key selections which control all main edit and text format commands.

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Under CP/M control, a wide range of standard software including products such as Supercalc, Multiplan, Cardbox etc. will run immediately using the VT52 terminal emulation provided by the CP/M Plus VDU system.

The Digital Research GSX graphic system is supplied with the PCW8256 to provide a standard software interface for graphics output programs. Dr LOGO is also supplied, and is compatible with Dr LOGO supplied for the CPC6128, and upwards compatible with Dr LOGO supplied with AMSTRAD CP/M 2.2 systems.

CPU and RAM A Z80A microprocessor w ith 256K bytes of RAM is

provided as standard. Approximately 112Kofthis memory is organised for use as RAM disc to enhance the speed of operation of many CP/M programs using overlay techniques. Instead of accessing the disc drive to locate program information not stored in the main memory, this technique uses a much faster semiconductor RAM disc and thus maintains complete compatibility with the vast range of existing CP/M software.

Separate custom microprocessors are used to control the printer and the keyboard.

Printer The integral printer mechanism provides letter, quality

operation at approximately 20 cps, or draft quality text at up to 90 cps ( Elite pitch typestyle). Features such as pitch, italics, boldface, underline, subscript and superscript are provided by the built-in software.

A tractor feed is supplied for continuous stationery, while single sheet operation is available with an automatic paper alignment system.

Options An optional RS232C Serial and Centronics Parallel

interface ( CPS 8256) may be fitted if required

Specification PCW8512 Specification as PCW8256 but with the second disc drive

( l Megabyte unformatted) fitted as standard and 5 l 2K bytes of RAM giving 368K RAM disc.

• 1 Megabyte unformatted 720Kformatted.

Locospell available as optional extra.

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Brentwood House, 169 Kings Road, Brentwood, Essex. CM14 4EF

Telephone: 0277 230222