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[[Image:pcw8256.jpg|thumb|The Amstrad PCW8256 - The first PCW computer]][[File:Amstrad-pcw8256-ad.jpg|thumb|Amstrad PCW8256 English advertisement]][[File:PCW8256 french ad.jpg|thumb|Amstrad PCW8256 French advertisement]][[File:Amstrad-pcw8256-spanish-ad.jpg|thumb|Amstrad PCW8256 Spanish advertisement]][[Image:Amstrad Pcw 9512.jpg|thumb|Amstrad PCW9512]][[Image:AmstradPCW16.jpg|thumb|Amstrad PcW16]]

The <b>PCW</b> (<b>P</b>ersonal <b>C</b>omputer for <b>W</b>ritingordprocessor) was another Amstrad computer. In Germany it's better known by its codename <b>Joyce</b>, which Schneider chose to keep for the final product.

The PCW was the Amstrad computer in production for the longest time(1985 - 1996). And the Amstrad computer with the most model revisions (Starting with the PCW8256 and ending with the PCW16PcW16). All models was based on the Z80 CPU. The series consists of PCW 8256 and PCW 8512 (introduced in 1985), PCW 9512 (introduced in 1987), PcW 9256 and PcW 9512+ (introduced in 1991), PcW10 and PcW16 (introduced in 1995). The PCW switched from 3inch floppy drives to 3.5inch floppy drives in 1991. 8 million units sold worldwide (over 200,000 in UK) [https://www.retroisle.com/amstrad/pcw/general.php Source].700,000 units were sold within the first 2 years [https://www.homecomputermuseum.nl/en/collectie/amstrad/amstrad-pcw-8256/ Source].By 1989, 1.5 million units had been sold [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstrad_PCW Source].The Daily Telegraph estimated in 2000 that 100,000 were still in use in the UK. <br> == Design == The PCW was designed as a (back then) professional computing system. This was underlined by the built-in green monitor (no support for colour monitors at all), the bundling with a printer and a word-processing software and bigger RAM (256k or 512k). Although the name might suggest it, the PCW was more than just a word-processing system. Unlike some other similar word-processing systems of its time, it came with a normal operating system, CP/M + GSX, and could run any software for this system, like spreadsheets, databases and so on. <br> == Market == The PCW had its biggest success in the UK, where it is even used up to today in some branches, e.g. small hotels. In Germany, Schneider mainly marketed it as word-processing system, not outlining its usability for other purposes, so that professional users decided for IBM compatible PCs.

* [[CP/M ]] Plus operating system <br>

* 90 columns, 720×256×2 graphics (actually possible on a CPC)* No sophisticated sound chip (Beeper only)* Joystick support through 3rd party extensions only(the keyboard controller includes support for two joysticks, as on the CPC, but no keyboard using this was ever built).

<br> == Peculiarities ==*The boot code in the PCW was designed as a (back then) professional computing systemis stored in the printer controller. This was underlined by *There are two versions of the built-in green monitor printer controller: one for the 9512 and 9512+ (no support daisywheel printer), and the other for colour monitors at allother machines (dot matrix printer).*The two controllers provide different boot code, making the bundling with a printer and a word-processing software and bigger RAM boot disks NOT interchangeable between the machines.*9512(256k or 512k+)runs versions 2.x of CP/M, other machines run 1.x. Don't worry, the only differences are the boot sector and the printer driver code.Although *The machines, including the name might suggest itPcW10, are otherwise entirely identical and use the PCW was more than just same gate array.*PcW16 is a word-processing systemtotally different and incompatible machine. Unlike some  <br> == PcW16 == It uses a Zilog Z80 but running at 16MHz (rather than 4MHz for the other similar word-processing systems of its time, it came PCW machines). It is equipped with a normal 1.44MB high-density PC type 3.5" floppy disk drive. It reads and writes PC discs without conversion programs. The operating system, CPcalled Rosanne, no longer uses a command prompt but has a true graphical user interface written by Creative Technology. It makes use of the included 3-button mouse. The resolution is now 640x480 instead of 720x256 for the other PCW machines. See: [http:/M/toastytech.com/guis/pcw.html Amstrad PcW16 GUI screenshots] Memory is 1MB of RAM, and could run any 1MB of Flash which contains the BIOS, Rosanne, and the built-in software for this system: a word processor, like spreadsheetsspreadsheet, databases address book, diary/alarm, calculator and so onfile manager.The PCW had its biggest success in the UK, where it It is even used up to today in some branchesnot supplied with CP/M. However, eCP/M 2 and 3 have been ported to the PcW16 by John Elliott [https://www.gseasip.info/Cpm/software/index. small hotelshtml Source].In Germany, Schneider mainly marketed it as word-processing system, The PcW16 does not outlining its usability for other purposescome bundled with a printer, so that professional users decided but provides a standard Centronics printer port. It has drivers for IBM compatible PCslaser printers, inkjet printers and 24-pin matrix printers.It does not support daisy wheel or 9-pin matrix printers. <br>

TV*[https://youtu.be/ClANdCoFpv4 From 80s to Today: Can my Sister still work our vintage AMSTRAD PCW?] by [[Retro Recipes]]*[https://youtu.be/oE1C3wFdiZU Amstrad PCW GUI! Windows on an 80s Word Processor?!] by [[Retro Recipes]]*[https://youtu.be/itsLUl_Emco Turning My Amstrad PCW 8256 into an 8512 with a Gotek Fix] by [[Retro Recipes]]*[https://youtu.be/vMyoIBn63bc Will It Work Again? Dot Matrix Printer Repair: Amstrad PCW] by [[Retro Recipes]]*[https://youtu.be/Y4YIWmxZBTk Amstrad Joyce (PCW 8256)] by [[Rodrik Studio]] <br> == Documentation == * [https://archive.org/details/pcw-Commercial for the 8256-8512-user-manual-engacme/ PCW 8256/8512 User Manual]* [[Media:PCW8256 Service Manual-ENG-.pdf|PCW 8256 Service Manual]]* [[Media:PCW9512 Service Manual-ENG-.pdf|PCW 9512 Service Manual]]* [[Media:PCW hardware guide - 20240316.pdf|PCW Hardware]] Latest (Spanish03/2024!)PCW hardware documentation* [https://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~jacobn/cpm/pcwio.html Amstrad "Joyce" software interface specification]* [https://archive.org/details/Mallard-BASIC/ Mallard BASIC Manual]

* [[PCW_Mainboard_Versions|PCW Mainboard Versions Page]]* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstrad_PCWPCW in the Wikipedia]* [https://www.habisoft.com/pcwwiki/doku.php?id=en:start PcwWiki] Link to wikipedia articleAmstrad PCW / Schneider Joyce wiki* [https://github.com/Zigazou/amstrad-pcw-technical-info/ Amstrad PCW technical information]* [https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/nc100-nc200-pcw-pda600/pcw-8256-in-colour-cheap-and-easy/ PCW in colour, cheap and easy]* [http://www.fvempel.nl/ PCW Joyce Computer Club]* [http://www.joyce.de Joyce User AG e.V. (German)]

[[httpCategory:Video contents]][[Category: Non CPC Computers| ]][[Category:Amstrad Products|*]][[Category:PCW]][[Category:CP//www.joyce.deM]] Link to German Joyce Club