Strumtech/SEED Advert - March 1981

It seemed almost inevitable for companies that started out as importers of mostly-American microcomputers or components that they would end up building their "own" micro.

And so, along with companies like Comart, Equinox UK or Almarc, comes Strumtech Engineering Electronics Developments Limited, or SEED, with its own branded version of what is essentially the system it had been selling for a couple of years - MSI's 6800.

Launched in the early summer of 1979, SEED's System One ran Motorola's 6800 processor via MSI's CP-1 CPU board, which in turn was plugged into a motherboard based upon SWTPC's unusual SS-50 standard.

The 8-bit 6800 was never hugely popular, with SWTPC itself being its most ardent supporter, although the follow-up 6809 also appeared in Dragon Data's home micros. This updated processor was also on SEED's roadmap, with the advert mentioning a "shortly to be announced 6809 system".

Prices for the System One started from £595 plus VAT, which is around £3,380 in 2026, although it's not clear whether that includes the case.

Also available were entire systems priced "from £20,000+", which is a not-inconsiderable £119,900 in today's money.

This top-of-the-range set-up was known as the System 12 and apparently came with 40MB of hard disk storage, four terminals and two printers.