The APF Imagination Machine was a combination home video game console and computer system released by APF Electronics Inc. in late 1979. It was composed of two separate components, the APF-M1000

APF-M1000

The APF-M1000 is an early 8-bit cartridge-based game console released in 1978 by APF Electronics Inc. The controllers are non-detachable joysticks which also have numeric keypads. The APF-M1000 can only be used with a color TV and comes built-in with the game Rocket Patrol...

 game system, and an add on docking bay with full sized typewriter keyboard and tape drive. The APF-M1000 was built specifically to compete with the Atari 2600

Atari 2600

The Atari 2600 is a video game console released in October 1977 by Atari, Inc. It is credited with popularizing the use of microprocessor-based hardware and cartridges containing game code, instead of having non-microprocessor dedicated hardware with all games built in...

. The Imagination Machine has the distinction of being one of, if not the first, affordable home PCs to connect to the television, and is still one of the most expandable consoles ever marketed. The full APF Imagination Machine, including the APF-M1000 console and the IM-1 computer component originally sold for around $700.

Specifications

• CPU: 8-bit 0.89 MHz Motorola 6800
  Motorola 6800
  The 6800 was an 8-bit microprocessor designed and first manufactured by Motorola in 1974. The MC6800 microprocessor was part of the M6800 Microcomputer System that also included serial and parallel interface ICs, RAM, ROM and other support chips...
  
   (3.579 MHz Oscillator divided by 4)
• ROM: 14 KB
• RAM: 9 KB expandable to 17 KB (8 KB / 16 KB + 1 KB)
• Video Display Controller
  Video Display Controller
  A Video Display Controller or VDC is an integrated circuit which is the main component in a video signal generator, a device responsible for the production of a TV video signal in a computing or game system...
  
  : MC6847
  MC6847
  The MC6847 is a video display generator first introduced by Motorola and used in the TRS-80 Color Computer, Dragon 32/64, Laser 200 and Acorn Atom among others. It is a relatively simple display generator compared to other display chips of the time. It is capable of displaying text and graphics...
  
  
• Resolutions: 256×192×4 / 128×192×8
• Colors: 8
• One sound channel in 5 Octaves
• Controllers: 2
  • 13 buttons
    • 0-9 numeric keypad
    • Clear and End key
    • Trigger
  • 4 way joystick

APF Basic

First and foremost, was the bundled APF Basic compiler, which would allow almost anyone to program their own games and programs. Most retailers of the system offered a full and hefty instruction manual to teach you how the specialized code worked, and most even offered a tech sheet that specified every function of every chip on the console, so as to allow the users to make the most efficient code possible. To encourage more home users to create their own games and trade them, a monthly mailing list was started that lasted well through the video game crash of '83 and into the era of the next generation of consoles.

Special cassette

Second, and often one of the most marketed features of the console, was the fact that it had a dual sided cassette drive, that would allow the user to not only write or use a game or program from it, but also either record their own voice to it or listen to prerecorded audio. The feature was generally used for programmers to leave notes of their work, or for instructions to be read aloud before a game was played.

Peripherals

Third, the console had an unprecedented number of aftermarket add-ons, which included:

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

As well as a hub of sorts, generally called the "building block" which would allow for the connection of a good deal of standard computer accessories.

Games

Only 15 official game cartridges were ever released by APF Electronics Inc, and 1 cartridge that came with the console, the Basic interpreter; although several game cartridges contained multiple titles. Many games were created by an active programming community of owners and distributed through their monthly newsletter, but these were all released only on tape cassette form, or in some cases, merely as a print out of the code that would have to be typed in if it was not transferred through a copied cassette.

The official game list 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

APF IM-2 Console

APF had planned on releasing a follow up to the original M1000 Imagination Machine game console, but went out of business just before the console could go to market. No official specs have ever been released, although some who were with the company at the time have mentioned that it was essentially the same M1000 core with typical upgrades.

External links

• APF Imagination Machine Page
• Home Computer and Video Game Museum - APF Imagination Machine
• Specifications at the Machine Room
• The Trailing Edge APF Page
• Stage Select APF M1000 Game List
• OLD-COMPUTERS.COM museum ~ APF Imagination Machine entry
• APF Consoles and Computers discussion group, on Yahoo Groups