of Microprocessors

134 MUSICAL ApPLICATIONS OF MICROPROCESSORS
organized much like the S-100 machines, it turned out to be incompatible
with them. In spite of the speculation, it never was very successful. Mattell
also introduced a 6502-based machine that never became popular.
Not all of the companies were established, however. Exidy offered their
8080 based Sorcerer, which was best known for its programmable charactet
generator approach to graphics. Another was the Superbrain, remembered for
its flashy ad campaign. Micro Technology Unlimited, previously a small addon
board manufacturer, offered their 6502-based MTU-130 near the end of
this period. It had many advanced hardware and software features, such as an
independent (from the CPU) disk controller and very fast, device-independent
disk-operating system, which were fully appreciated only by advanced
hobbyist and research users.
Strangely enough, the original three continued to fare well in the
hobby/education arena. The TRS-80 benefitted from its low price, ready
availability, and extensive coverage in new TRS-80-specific magazines. Also
some schools had started"using it in courses. The PET also found significant
acceptance in schools, largely due to its all-in-one packaging and an
educational "3-for-2" promotion by Commodore. In Canada and Europe,
however, the PET did extremely well being the dominant computer in those
areas. Apple made the biggest gains during this period. A great variety of
add-on boards became available, perhaps even exceeding the number ofS-100
add-oos in the marketplace. Software support mushroomed as programmers
began to realize the power of its architecture and learned to make it perform.
Of all of the machines introduced during the first two waves, the Apple II is
the only one that has survived, essentially unchanged.
More Microprocessor Advancements
During the 1976-80 period, things were also changing in the
microprocessor and memory markets. The winners of the early microprocessor
race became apparent, and thus many manufacturers opted instead
to second-source (copy) the more popular chips, although virtually none
discontinued their own proprietary entries. In terms of number of different
microprocessor-based products using it (so-called "design wins"), the 2-80
was victorious. In terms of actual numbers of ICs sold (most in a few very
high-volume products), the 6502 was the clear leader. The 6800 placed a
distant third, while the others barely showed up on the charts regardless of
the measuring method.
Simultaneously, the semiconductor manufacturers were readying their
next generation of higher-performance, 16-bit microprocessors. Although
16-bitters had been introduced in 1974 (IMP-16) and again in 1976 (9900
and PACE), designers tended to ignore them. The reasons are obscure, but