The PCW (Personal Computer for Writing) was another Amstrad computer. In Germany it's better known by its codename Joyce, which Schneider chose to keep for the final product. The codename was the name of Alan M. Sugar's secretary.
The PCW was in some ways similar to the CPC range, but also different in many ways.
Similarities to the CPC
- Complete out-of-the-box system:
- central unit
- keyboard
- monitor
- disk drive
- Z80 CPU
- CP/M Plus operating system
Differences to the CPC
- No sophisticated sound chip (Beeper only)
- Joystick support through 3rd party extensions only
- No AMSDOS or other DOS in ROM, only a bootloader for CP/M
- No support for tape recorders
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, and could run any software for this system, like spreadsheets, databases and so on. 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 useability for other purposes, so that professional users decided for IBM compatible PCs.