The PCW was the Amstrad computer in production for the longest time(1985 - 1996). And the Amstrad computer with the most model revisions (Starting with the PCW8256 and ending with the PCW16). All models was based on the Z80 CPU.
The series consists of PCW was 8256 and PCW 8512 (introduced in some ways similar to the CPC range1985), but also different PCW 9512 (introduced in 1987), PCW 9256 and PCW 9512+ (introduced in 1991), PCW 10 and PcW16 (introduced in many ways1995).
8 million units sold worldwide (over 200,000 in UK) [https://www.retroisle.com/amstrad/pcw/general.php Source].
By 1989, 1.5 million units had been sold [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstrad_PCW Source].
The Daily Telegraph estimated in 2000 that 100,000 were still in use in the UK.
The PCW was in some ways similar to the CPC range, but also different in many ways.
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== Differences to the CPC ==
* 90 columns, 720×256×2 graphics (actually possible on a CPC)
* No sophisticated sound chip (Beeper only)
* Joystick support through 3rd party extensions only (the keyboard controller includes support for two joysticks, as on the CPC, but no keyboard using this was ever built).
* No AMSDOS or other DOS in ROM, only a bootloader for CP/M
*9512(+) runs versions 2.x of CP/M, other machines run 1.x. Don't worry, the only differences are the boot sector and the printer driver code.
*The machines are otherwise entirely identical and use the same gate array.
*PcW16 is a totally different and incompatible machine.