CPU: Z80A at 3.5 Mhz. It has a 64 kB ROM,
256 kB RAM ( 128 kB. for video and 128 kB. for Programs)
and a built-in 720 kB dd disk drive.
I/O: Scart, parallel printer port, Audio, 2 cartridges.
Ease package, together with Designer Plus.
Unfortunately there were no such peripherals as cables or handcontroles,
but we keep on searching.....

(www.digidome.nl)
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In the early 80's, there were a lot of home computers.
A Japanese company called ASCII corporation (directed by Kay Nishi) decided
to create an industry standard for home computers: MSX was born.
MSX means Machines with Software eXchangeability.
This is the true and only meaning, stop spreading the word about another
explanation please. 

The new standard was based on an existing computer: The Spectravideo SV 318
which can be considered as a beta version of MSX1 computers.
Microsoft designed then MSX1 computers and the first version of the OS:
MSX DOS 1 (which looks like early versions of MS-DOS). 

Almost every Japanese and Korean computer companies made their own MSX
computers (except maybe NEC).
Bill Gates was then very confident about the future of the MSX standard. 

Spectravideo (one of the MSX companies) made an 80 column card and adapted
CP/M for the MSX. 

A lot of programs (especially a lot of games from Sega, Konami, Taito,
ASCII, etc.) and hardware were developed for this standard.
Despite all its qualities, the MSX family didn't have great success in USA.
However it was pretty well known in Europe (particularly in the Netherlands
and France), in South America (Brazil specifically) and Russia (then the USSR).
This standard was replaced in 1985 by MSX 2. 

(www.old-computers.com)