Transtec Advert - December 1982

So says Noel C. May, the managing director of Transtec Computers in one of those advertising claims that would be great to know how often had to be fulfilled.

The machine, known as the "BC2", was a fairly generic Z80 CPU system with 64k memory running CP/M 2.2 with twin 5.25" disk drives for a total storage of 800kb.

It shipped with an Olivetti DM 5050C printer and some bundled accounting software (purchase and nominal ledgers, etc) and could be had for £2,760 (including VAT) - a snip at around £12,700 in 2024 money.

The design of the BC2 looks to have changed slightly since it was first announced in July, where it initially had an entirely separate keyboard with a slightly different layout. By the end of the year it had been redesigned with a "detachable" keyboard, making it look more like a terminal or an all-in-one when put together.

It's likely that it was decided to launch as "Total Accounting Package" bundle rather than as a straight-up Z80 CP/M "Total Business Computer Package" as there were hundreds of these around, and the software would have at least been some sort of differentiation. By itself, the BC2 was only £1,500, or about £6,920 in 2024.

itle="An earlier advert for the BC2, with its different design. From Personal Computer World, July 1982">

An earlier advert for the BC2, with its different design. From Personal Computer World, July 1982

There's not much about the machine or the company, although there are several "Transtecs" still in business, one of which (now based in Germany) claims the requisite "more than 30 years in ite'>IT".

However the company seemed to have some international coverage, at least, given its Dublin, Belfast, Bristol and Massachussetts reseller adresses.

itle="An advert for Leading Edge's floppy disk brand Elephant Memory Systems. The part of EMS which produced this and other "aftermarket" products had been sold to Dennison. From Compute's Gazette, August 1984">

An advert for Leading Edge's floppy disk brand Elephant Memory Systems. The part of EMS which produced this and other "aftermarket" products had been sold to Dennison. From Compute's Gazette, August 1984

Its US reseller - Leading Edge Products Inc. of Canton, Massachussetts - had been around since 1980 and was a peripherals company which was especially famous for its "Elephant" brand floppy disks^[1].

However it could equally be another example of a machine and company that launched Yet Another Z80 CP/M Micro and disappeared without trace.