EG2000 Colour Genie
The EG2000 Colour Genie, produced by the Hong Kong-based company EACA, is an early personal computer that entered the market in August 1982.
Specifications
This computer focused on delivering improved graphical capabilities and colour options compared to its predecessor, the EACA Video Genie, which only operated in monochrome.
Unlike the earlier Video Genies, which were compatible with their main competitor (the Tandy TRS-80 Model I), the Colour Genie is incompatible with the TRS-80 Color Computer, as it uses a different CPU.
The Colour Genie is powered by a Z80A CPU running at 2.2 MHz. It came standard with 16 KB of RAM, which could be expanded to 32 KB.
In terms of graphical display, the Colour Genie supports a resolution of 160x96 pixels in 4 colours or 40×24 text in 16 colours.
Interestingly, although its capabilities are very different, this computer makes use of the same chips as the Amstrad CPC: the Z80 CPU, the CRTC 6845, and the AY-3-8910 sound chip.
Market
The Colour Genie was mainly sold in Europe, particularly in Germany. This was facilitated through a partnership with the German distributor, Trommeschläger.
However, the Colour Genie was eventually overshadowed by competing systems like the Commodore 64 and the ZX Spectrum.
About 190 games were published for the system in English and German.
