Aster Computers was a Dutch computer manufacturer. History
Aster Computers was located in Arkel near Gorinchem. Before the tiny company (less than five people) developed the Aster computer, it was called MCP (Music Print Computer Product) and was specialized in the production of computer-produced sheet music. From there, it developed into a manufacturer of electronics amateur building packages.
After the company moved from the owner's garage to a building on the Dijkweg in Arkel, it also began to provide alternative floppy disk drives for TRS-80 computers. Because the TRS-80 expansion interface, known as unreliable, was very expensive, the company also decided to develop alternatives to it. As an alternative to memory expansion from 16K to 48K, it was decided to provide a service replacing the 16K RAM chips contained in the TRS-80 Model 1 itself by 64K RAM chips, of which 48K were available. For the still missing floppy disk controller and printer interface, the company developed a circuit board that could be built into a cabinet with disk drives.
While this was underway, the owner decided to bump MCP in MCP CHIP, but he was in conflict with the German CHIP magazine and had to rename the new name and call himself MCP. During that time, MCP also started selling imported home PCs, including the ABC-80, the Apple and the 16 bit computer Olivetti M20 (with a Z8000 CPU). A KIM 1-clone, the "Junior computer", a simple computer with a hexadecimal keyboard and six 7-segment displays for the output, also built and sold. The device was intended for those who sometimes wanted to try a junior computer but did not feel like soldering themselves (Electricity sold only the PCB). In addition, the company had success with the construction and sale of the Sinclair ZX-80, which was initially sold as a building package. Later, they also sold the sequel, the ZX-81.
From frustration about the reliability, reliability and price of the TRS-80 expansion interface, MCP decided to build a complete replacement for this, including an RS-232 interface and expansion slots like the Apple. However, in the midst of the project, we decided to go one step further and build a complete computer, solving all known problems of the original TRS-80 ("display snow", sluggishness, inadequate extensibility, no bottom cabinet support, unreliable floppies with low capacity , etc.). As a name, it was decided to choose a Dutch flower (inspired by the name Apple), the aster, with an addition to indicate that it was a TRS-80 compatible computer.
The Aster CT-80 became a success and soon the small business became too small and had to move to a much larger neighboring former glass factory, where the Aster CT-80 was manufactured for a few years. Ultimately, Aster Computers grew so fast that it did not get an opportunity to train its staff well and get into financial problems because it had to invest heavily in parts. Finally, a temporary scarcity on Z80 processors left the business.
wiki
