Category Archives: Pravetz

Pravetz 8M

pravetz_company_logo_s

 

setup_arrived_s
This is a unit i got from Plamen Vaysilov (a2heaven.com). Luckily it didn’t get busted by the several shipping companies on it’s way over here so i considered myself lucky. Only small crack on the power supply backpanel (plastic) but it’s not serious.

 

broken_psu_s
Power supply that took a hit during transportation. It’s just cosmetic.

 

pravetz_floppy_drive_s
Cloned Disk II – drive.

The thing i noticed right away was how heavy the thing was. The power supply is really built from old skool heavy components! Real bulgarian iron. The plastic used is similar, almost like bakelite, quite hard. They used similar plastic on those Chinese Apple II+ clones (CEC-I).


Specs:
Pravetz 8M – Integrated second CPU Zilog Z80A at 4 MHz to be able to run CP/M and its software.  The military version features integrated terminal design. It was essentially a version of Apple II+ with the optional CP/M card integrated on the motherboard. It had 48K of RAM on-board, a switching  power supply and an off-white plastic case with an improved design.

Timeline around 1985-1987
Processor – Synertek 6502@1MHz + Z80/4MHz (upgradeable to Intel i8080)
RAM 48KB 
ROM 12KB
DOS 3.1 – 3.3, ProDOS, CP/M (Z80)

pravetz_8m_video_connector_with_adapter_s
As the video output is BNC i needed to get an adapter, BNC > RCA but those are easily available, even locally.

 

switch_s
There is switch with 8 dips on board. That is for different configurations, enabling the Z80 prosessor, different  keyboard layouts as well turning audio on/off. I haven’t yet figured out how to get Z80 running and CP/M loaded.

pravetz_disk_ii_interface_cards_s
Found few floppy drive interface cards and they suit perfect for it. Naturally the original Apple II Interface card also works.

pravetz_8m_frogger_quikload_s
Tested few Apple II cards for the fun of it:

-wDrive (works)
-quikLoad (works)
-Saturn 128k rebooted (works)
-MultiROM-card (works)

 

I really like this clone! It’s design is kind of Sovjet-era style, quite bulky but technically much more advanced what the Sovjets were able to produce. Bulgaria was the leading “east block” country what came to computers and electronics.

Hope to find the Pravetz ’82 someday as well.

pravetz_and_a2heaven_logo_s
Thanks to Plamen Vaysilov of a2heaven.com!

 

FinApple 2020 (c)
Pravetz Forever.