Mattel Intellivision Computer Module
The Intellivision Computer Module was an add-on for the Mattel
Intellivision game console that turned it into a full-fledged computer,
much the same way that the Coleco Expansion Module #3 turned the ColecoVision
into a Coleco ADAM. It came as two pieces, the first being the computer
module itself which plugged into the side expansion connector of the console
and added 2k RAM, 16k ROM, built-in BASIC, a cassette interface, a printer
interface, and 3 additional sound channels. The second piece was it's
detached 49-key chicklet keyboard which plugged into two ports housed
beneathe a removable cover on the front of the computer module. Power was
provided seperate from that of the Intellivision by a wall-mounted transformer.
Together, these pieces carried Mattel part# 4187, the computer module alone
being #4182 and the keyboard being #4184. This unit came in two colors:
the off-white to match the case of the Intellivision II and brown to
match the original Intellivision. The brown cased variant is much less
common.
Prior to introducing this setup early in 1983, Mattel had promised
a keyboard component to turn the Intellivision into a computer, but cost
had become prohibitive and the unit was only released in very small numbers,
thought to be about 4000 units. Finally Mattel released the above system,
also known as the 'Intellivision Entertainment Computer System' though the
box for it shows 'Intellivision Computer Module', in order to satisfy
complaints to the FTC from purchasers of the Intellivision. At the time
developement was dropped, Mattel had announced plans for expansion, including
16k and 32k RAM, 8k and 12k ROM, a data recorder and a 40 column thermal
printer. Though never produced, it is said that the data recorder and
thermal printer shown for this unit were rebadged items originally produced
for the Aquarius home computer.
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