Triumph-Adler Advert - February 1983
From Personal Computer World
Triumph Adler makes it all refreshingly simple with the Alphatronic micro
Triumph-Adler, originally of Germany, was first bought out by the US Royal Typewriter Co. in 1969 and then, more implausibly, by German car-giant Volkswagen, which acquired a majority stake in 1979[1].
Before it was sold again, to Italian typewriters-to-computers company Olivetti in 1986, the company launched several computers including this one, the Alphatronic P3 micro - part of its Alphatronic series.
By 1984, it had released a "home" or small-business version of the P3, called the Alphatronic PC.
December 1984's A-Z of Personal Computers reckoned that it was "cleanly styled and would look equally good at home or in the office", and thanks to its support for
The Alphatronic PC - the home-computer version. From the A-Z of Personal Computers, December 1984
In Europe, the Alphatronic PC home computer was known as the Volksmicro - a kind-of "people's computer".
Personal Computer News seemed unimpressed saying that the "unexceptional CP/M machine" had most of the attributes of the original Volkswagen in being "a little on the ugly side, utilitarian and selling relatively cheaply".
A spokesman for Triumph Adler UK suggested that the joint VW/TA marketing deal which gave rise to the name "does not currently extend to the UK", and that he saw "no likelihood that it will in future"[3].
The entry-level P3 micro retailed for £1,895, which is around £8,370 in 2025 money.
It was based on the 8-bit Intel 8085A, but could be upgraded to 16-bit operation by adding an 8088 co-processor card and extra memory, turning it into a P30[4].
Date created: 29 September 2014
Last updated: 24 September 2025
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Sources
Text and otherwise-uncredited photos © nosher.net 2025. Dollar/GBP conversions, where used, assume $1.50 to £1. "Now" prices are calculated dynamically using average RPI per year.
