description Mattel Aquarius Overview
The Mattel Aquarius was an 8-bit home computer released in 1983 and discontinued within months after weak sales. It was designed and manufactured for Mattel by Radofin of Hong Kong, and it used a Zilog Z80 processor, a small amount of memory, and a rubber 'chiclet' keyboard. Microsoft BASIC came built into ROM, software ran from plug-in cartridges, and add-on modules offered extra memory and peripherals. Critics considered it underpowered compared with rivals such as the Commodore 64, and its failure preceded Mattel's withdrawal from the home-computer market.
help Mattel Aquarius FAQ
What was the Mattel Aquarius?
The Mattel Aquarius was an 8-bit home computer released in 1983. Mattel had it designed and manufactured by Radofin of Hong Kong.
What processor did the Mattel Aquarius use?
The Aquarius used a Zilog Z80 processor, a common 8-bit CPU in home computers of the early 1980s. It also had limited memory and a rubber chiclet-style keyboard.
Why was the Mattel Aquarius discontinued so quickly?
The computer had weak sales and was discontinued within months of its 1983 release. Its limited hardware and unusual keyboard competed poorly in a crowded early home-computer market.
Was the Mattel Aquarius a full personal computer?
It was sold as an affordable home computer, but its small memory, rubber keyboard, and limited software ecosystem made it more basic than many competing systems. It used the Z80 processor and supported computer software and games designed for its platform.
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