VTech Laser 200
The VTech Laser 210, rebadged as a Dick Smith VZ200 | |
| Manufacturer | Video Technology |
|---|---|
| Type | Personal computer |
| Released | November 1983 |
| Lifespan | 1983-1985, 2 years |
| Introductory price | US$99 (equivalent to $320 in 2025) £98 (equivalent to £420 in 2023) A$200 (equivalent to $720 in 2022) |
| Discontinued | 1985 |
| Units sold | 200,000 in Australia |
| Media | Cassette tape, disk drive |
| Operating system | BASIC V2.0 |
| CPU | Zilog Z80A @ 3.58 MHz |
| Memory | 2-22 kB RAM + 2 kB VRAM, 16 kB ROM |
| Display | 32×16 (8 colors), 128×64 graphics (2 background, 3 foreground colors) |
| Graphics | Motorola 6847 video processor |
| Sound | Push-pull piezo speaker |
| Input | 45 key keyboard |
| Power | 10 volt |
| Dimensions | 29 × 17 × 4cm |
| Weight | 800g |
| Predecessor | VTech Laser 110 |
| Successor | VTech Laser 310 |
The VTech Laser 200 and 210 are 8-bit home computers from 1983. They were aimed at the entry-level market and first-time users.
The machine ran basic games on cassette such as Hoppy (a version of Frogger), Cosmic Rescue (Scramble), VZ Invaders (Space Invaders), Dawn Patrol (Chopper) and Moon Patrol.
The Laser 200 and 210 and variants were rebadged under numerous different names in various markets, where they met with varying degrees of success. These included the Salora Fellow (mainly in Fennoscandia, particularly Finland), the Seltron 200 in Hungary & Italy, the Smart-Alec Jr. by Dynasty Computer Corporation in Dallas, Texas for the USA, the Texet TX8000 (United Kingdom), the Dick Smith VZ 200 (in Australia & New Zealand), and the VTech VZ 200 (in the United States & Canada).
From late 1984 on, the Laser 200/210 and VZ200 were replaced by an improved model known as the VTech Laser 310 or the Dick Smith VZ 300. This featured a full travel keyboard and 8K ROM software-based Floppy Disk Controller, and was produced until 1989.
VTech also used the "Laser" brand on some otherwise unrelated computers.