Hotbit
{{Short description|MSX home computer sold in Brazil}}
{{Infobox information appliance
| name = Hotbit
| image = Sharp HotBit MSX computer.jpg
| image_size = 280px
| type = Home computer
| releasedate = November 1985
| discontinued = 1988
| os = MSX BASIC, MSX-DOS, CP/M
| cpu = Zilog Z80A
| CPUspeed = 3.58 MHz
| memory = 64 KB–512 KB (max.)
| graphics = TMS9928NL, (V9938 optional)
| display = 40×24 text characters;
256×192 pixels;
16 colours, 32 sprites
| sound = AY-3-8910
| developer = Sharp
| memory card = Cassette tape, cartridge, floppy discs (optional)
| compatibility = MSX
| manufacturer = Epcom
}}
The Hotbit HB-8000 is an MSX home computer developed and sold by the Brazilian subsidiary of Sharp Corporation through its Epcom home computer division in mid-1980s.{{Cite web |title=Epcom / Sharp Hotbit HB-8000 |url=https://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=833 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928212220/https://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=833 |archive-date=2023-09-28 |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=old-computers.com}}{{Cite web |last=Carvalho |first=Ladmir |date=2022-12-16 |title=Hotbit HB-8000 |url=https://museualterdata.com.br/acervo/hotbit-hb-8000/,%20https://museualterdata.com.br/acervo/hotbit-hb-8000/ |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=Museu de Tecnologia Alterdata |language=pt-BR}}{{Cite web |date=2012-02-16 |title=Hotbit |url=http://www.mci.org.br/micro/outros/hotbit.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216070122/http://www.mci.org.br/micro/outros/hotbit.html |archive-date=2012-02-16 |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=Museu da Computação e Informática - MCI |language=pt-BR}} The MSX machines were very popular in Brazil at the time,{{Cite web |last=Braga |first=Filipe |date=2013 |title=Computador "caseiro" MSX completa 30 anos |url=https://www.adrenaline.com.br/noticias/computador-caseiro-msx-completa-30-anos/ |website=Adrenaline}}{{Cite web |last=Barros |first=Thiago |date=2013-06-27 |title=MSX, um computador com 'jeitão' de videogame, completa 30 anos |url=https://www.techtudo.com.br/noticias/2013/06/msx-um-computador-com-jeitao-de-videogame-completa-30-anos.ghtml |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=TechTudo |language=pt-br}} and they virtually killed all the other competing 8 bit microcomputers in the Brazilian market.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=MSX SHARP HOTBIT HB-8000 |url=http://msxgold.blogspot.com/2009/12/hb8000.html |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=MSX GOLD |language=pt-BR}}
Versions 1-1.2
The Hotbit had three versions: 1.0 and 1.1 with gray and white case and 1.2, with a black case and a ROM slightly modified to solve an ASCII table compatibility issue with the other popular Brazilian MSX, the Gradiente Expert.
Technical specifications
The HB-8000 had the following technical specifications:{{Cite book |url=https://datassette.org/manuais/br-brasil-hardware-msx-manuais/manual-de-servico-hotbit-hb-8000-edicao-revisadalimpaimpecavel |title=APRESENTAÇÃO MICROCOMPUTADOR HB-8000 |publisher=Epcom Equipamentos Eletrônicos Ltda- |date=November 1985 |pages=2}}
| class="wikitable" | |
| CPU | Zilog Z80A @ 3.58 MHz |
| RAM | 64 KB (expandable to 512KB) |
| VRAM | 16 KB (TMS9928NL) |
| ROM | 32 KB |
| Keyboard | mechanic, 73 keys (with 4 cursor keys), reset key |
| Display | text: 40×24 rows; graphics: 256×192 pixels, 16 colours, 32 sprites |
| Sound | General Instrument AY-3-8910 (PSG), 3 voices, white noise |
| Ports | 2 joystick connectors, PAL-M composite or RF out, sound out, tape recorder connector, parallel port, 2 cartridge slots |
| Storage | tape recorder (FSK, 1200/2400 bps) or one or two external 5{{frac|1|4}}" disk drive (360 KB) |
Peripherals
Image:Cartucho Hotbit HB-3000.jpg
- HB-100: joystick
- HB-2400: tape recorder
- HB-3000 or HB-3001: external modem
- HB-3600: Dual disk drive controller and power supply. Sold in a bundle with one HB-6000 drive
- HB-4000: 80 columns card with the V9938 VDP inside
- HB-4100: 64KB RAM expansion
- HB-6000: 5{{frac|1|4}}" disk drive (slim height), 360 KB