First shown at the 1982 Compec exhibition, there were two computers available from Business ” Leisure Microcomputers of Kenilworth, UK. One version was NASCOM-based and the other Gemini-based. Both machines were similar in size and appearance. I think that they were only available as ready-built units – they were available though, in spite of the fact that I haven’t been able to track down a photograph.
It was “portable” if you had strong arms, weighing about 28lbs. The unit contained two slimline 400k 5-1/4in floppy disk drives and a 9in mono monitor.
The NASCOM version contained a NASCOM-2, AVC, RAM and FDC cards and was supplied with a NASCOM-2 keyboard.
The Gemini version (slightly cheaper) contained the GM813 CPU-RAM, GM812 IVC and GM809 FDC cards and was supplied with a GM827 extended keyboard.
There were a couple of cased versions of the Gemini system. I’ve just been sent this rather nice picture of one that’s still in fully functional condition (Thanks Danny!). It was used at Gemini for copying the floppy disks that were sent out with each machine.
This is fitted with:
GM813, GM832, GM849A, xebec, 20Mb Micropolis HDD and 3 epson 720K FDD
The Gemini systems were advertised in several variations:
Gemini Galaxy 1
- GM811 processor
- GM802 64k RAM
- GM812 IVC display
- GM809 floppy disk controller
- GM821 keyboard
- Twin 400k floppies, CP/M 2.2
Gemini Galaxy 2 – GM903
- GM813 processor
- GM812 IVC display
- GM809 floppy disk controller
- GM827 extended keyboard
- Twin 400k floppies, CP/M 2.2
Gemini Galaxy 2 – GM904
- GM813 processor
- GM812 IVC display
- GM809 floppy disk controller
- GM827 extended keyboard
- Single 400k floppy, CP/M 2.2
Gemini Galaxy 2/2 – GM905
- GM813 processor
- GM812 IVC display
- GM809 floppy disk controller
- GM827 extended keyboard
- Twin 800k floppy, CP/M 2.2
Gemini Galaxy 3 – GM907
- GM813 processor
- GM812 IVC display
- GM809 floppy disk controller
- GM827 extended keyboard
- Single 800k floppy + 5.4MB HDD, CP/M 2.2
Some later systems had a multi-format BIOS (MFB) and were used for such jobs as software duplication.
GM916 MFB system
- 3-1/2″, 5-1/4″ & 8″ floppy drives with 5.4MB Winchester
GM921 MFB system
- 3-1/2″, 5-1/4″ & 8″ floppy drives with 16.5MB Winchester
GM925 MFB2 system
- with GM849 controller
nascom.info 