Torch Advert - December 1984

Available at around the same time as Torch's "Graduate", Torch's Z80-based ZEP100 was considered by Personal Computer News to be by far the better system out of the two for BBC Micro uses hoping to get in to business software^[1].

The Z80 Extension Processor - or ZEP - was a plug-in system for the BBC Micro which turned it into a sort-of IBM PC, making use of the host BBC as a keyboard and display.

The ZEP was intended for BBC owners who already had floppy drives installed, but for those who didn't, the Torch Z80 Disc Pack - a ZEP100 with twin 400K 5.25" floppies, as featured in this advert, was also available, retailing at £699 (£2,640 in 2024 money).

Both ran a Z80A and had 64K memory available and ran Torch's own version of CP/M, called CPN.

At about this time, Torch announced that it was setting up a network of computers at a pilot aptitude training centre at the famous former RAF base Biggin Hill.

As well as the usual custom software packages, Biggin Hill had also ordered a range of computer games, including Elite, written by Ian Bell and David Braben and published by Acornsoft^[2].