A new addition: Sharp MZ-700

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A new addition to my collection of Z80-based machines arrived this week. It’s a Sharp MZ-700 series machine – the 721, as it has an integral tape drive. As far as I know there were 3 models in the range – the 711, 721 and 731. The 731 had a four colour pen plotter as well as the tape drive; the 711 had neither.

Nestled on my desk – a Sharp MZ-700, model 721, circa 1983.

The machine looks well cared for if little used. It certainly seems to have been stored out of direct sunlight as there’s no real staining of the plastic that is so common in computers of this age.

It was supplied with the S-BASIC 1.0A tape and a few games. The manual, plus some other documents – including the first three editions of the Sharp User Notes – came with it. The first thing I did was use the instructions on page 22 of the first edition to make a backup copy of the BASIC tape.

It’s in good working order although I admit to being concerned about the RIFA capacitors in the power supply. They have a habit of failing in a loud and smelly way. However, I’m loathed to tinker with it unless I have to. It’s clear from the intact warranty stickers that the case has never been opened!

In theory my MZ-80K BASIC programs should work on it. I haven’t got as far as testing the theory out yet. My aim over the next few days is to load my implementation of The Valley and convert it to colour.