APF Imagination Machine

The APF Imagination Machine was a second generation combination computer system and home video game console released in late 1979 by APF Electronics Inc. The system consisted of two separate components: a docking bay with full sized typewriter keyboard and tape drive, and the APF-M1000 game system. It became one of, if not the first, affordable home PCs to connect to the television.

The Imagination Machine came with the APF Basic compiler, which enabled consumers to compose their own games and programs with the help of an instruction manual that explained how the specialised code worked. A mailing list was also available that included code that users could recompile to create games and other programs.

Another well-received feature of the unit was its dual sided cassette drive that enabled consumers to use games or programs from a cassette, but also allowed them to listen to pre-recorded audio or record their own voice. The feature was often used by programmers to leave any instructions that needed to be listened to before a game was played.

The console also had an unprecedented number of aftermarket add-ons, making it one of the most expandable consoles ever marketed. These peripherals included:

• Telephone Modem
• 8 k RAM Cartridge
• RS232 Storage Cartridge
• Floppy Disk Storage
• Mini Floppy Disk Storage

Games

APF Electronics Inc released15 official game cartridges (some of which contained multiple games) and 1 cartridge that came with the console (the Basic compiler). The list of official game cartridges is as follows:

• Artist and Easel
• Backgammon
• Baseball
• Blackjack
• Bowling / Micro Match
• Boxing
• Brickdown / Shooting Gallery
• Budget Manager
• Casino
• Catena
• Hangman / Tic-Tac-Toe / Doodle
• Pinball / Dungeon Hunt / Blockout
• Rocket Patrol
• Space Destroyers
• UFO / Sea Monster / Break it down / Rebuild / Shoot

Specifications

Processor

• 8-bit 3.579 MHz Motorola 6800

RAM

• 9 kb

ROM

• 14 kb
  

Video

• Resolutions: 256x192x4 / 128x192x8
• Colours: 8
• Video Display Controller: MC6847

Controllers

• 4 way joystick
• 13 buttons (trigger, 0-9 numeric keypad, Clear and End key)