Hector (orVictor Lambda) are a series of amicrocomputers produced inFrance in the early 1980s.

In January 1980, Michel Henric-Coll founded a company named Lambda Systems inToulouse, that would import a computer (produced by Interact Electronics Inc ofAnn Arbor, Michigan^[1][2]) to France. The computer was sold under the name of Victor Lambda.^[3][4]

Lambda Systems went bankrupt in July 1981, along with Interact. In December 1981, Micronique,^[5] an electronic components company based in southernParis, acquires the rights to the Victor Lambda.

In 1982, Victor Lambda Diffusion, a subsidiary, distributes the Victor Lambda. The first machines built in the United States were not a success, and the following models were designed and produced in France at the headquarters of the Micronique company. The company uses the slogan: "The French Personal Computer".^[6]

In 1983, the Victor is renamed Hector,^[7] to avoid confusion with the machines from the Californian company Victor Technologies (formerlySirius Systems Technology).

The last model introduced was the Hector MX, with production of the series ending in 1985.^[6] The series was not successful, due to the focus on the French market, intense competition fromAmstrad machines and high prices.^[8][9]

TheVictor Lambda was a rebrandedInteract Home Computer^{[10][11][2][12]}(also called The Interact Family Computer 2^[13]) microcomputer. Introduced in 1980, it had a chiclet keyboard and built-in cassette recorder for data storage.

Specifications:^[4][10]

• CPU:Inteli8080, 2.0 MHz
• Memory: 8KRAM, expandable to 16K RAM; 2K ROM
• OS: Basic Level II (Microsoft BASIC v4.7); EDU-Basic (both loaded from tape)
• Keyboard: 53-keychiclet
• Display: 17 × 12 characters text in 8 colors; 112 × 78 with 4 colors from a palette of 8
• Sound:SN76477 (one voice, fouroctaves)
• Ports: Television (RGB), twojoysticks,RS232 (optional)
• Built-incassette recorder (1200 B/s)^{[citation needed]}
• PSU: ExternalAC transformer

TheHector 1^{[7][14][15][16]} was a 1983 computer, based on the Victor Lambda. Initially sold asVictor Lambda 2^[7][17][18] it was renamed to avoid trademark confusion. Also known asHector 16K. More than 100 games were published for this machine.^[19]

It was eventually considered as an entry level machine.^[20]

Specifications:^[14]

• CPU:Zilog Z80 @ 1.7 MHz
• Memory: 16K RAM
• OS: Basic Level III (loaded from tape)
• Keyboard: mechanical
• Display: 17 × 12 text in 8 colors, 112 × 78 in 8 colors
• Sound: SN76477N (one voice, four octaves)
• Ports: Television (RGB), two joysticks, RS232 (optional)
• Built-in cassette recorder (1200 B/s)^{[citation needed]}
• PSU: Built-in

TheHector 2HR^[21][22][23] is a 1983^[24] computer with a Zilog Z80 processor, 16KB of ROM and 48KB of RAM. Initially sold asVictor Lambda 2HR, it was renamed avoid trademark confusion.^[25] Graphics were improved, with a resolution of 243x231 in 4 colors, and 40x23 character text.^[26] It has an built-in cassette recorder and an optional disk drive (DISK II). At launch there were sixty software titles available on tape.^[26] It was considered as a more serious machine for those wishing to program their own games.^[20]

Specifications:^[24][27]

• CPU: Zilog Z80A @ 5 MHz
• Memory: 48K RAM; 4KB ROM
• OS: Basic Level III (loaded from tape)
• Keyboard: mechanical
• Display: 40 × 22 text; 112 × 78 in 8 colours, 243 × 231 in 4 colours
• Sound: SN76477 (one voice, four octaves)
• Built-in cassette recorder

The "Disk II" is a dual external5+1⁄4-inchfloppy disk drive with a dedicated processor. The Hector processor would handle the screen, keyboard and printer, while the floppy drive processor would runCP/M and manage floppy disks. Communication took place via the bi-directionalparallel port.

The programming language is not available in ROM but loaded at startup. This makes it possible to distribute several languages, withBASIC 80,Pascal MT+,Cobol 80,Fortran 77,Forth andAssembly being available.

TheHector 2HR+,^[28][29][30] also released in 1983, is similar to the previous model, but including the BASIC language in ROM^[24] (thus freeing up more RAM memory for user programs).

Specifications:^[27]

• CPU: Zilog Z80A @ 5 MHz
• Memory: 48K RAM; 16KB ROM
• OS: Basic Level III
• Keyboard: mechanical
• Display: 40 × 22 text in 8 colours; 112 × 78 in 8 colours, 243 × 231 in 4 colours
• Sound: SN76477 (one voice, four octaves)
• Ports: Television (RGB,SECAM), two joysticks,Centronics, Disc Drive
• Built-in cassette recorder
• PSU: Built-in

TheHector HRX,^{[31][32][33][34][35]} also released in 1983, is similar to the previous model, but changes BASIC for a Forth language interpreter in ROM and features a 64KB RAM.^[36] An early 1983 review mentioned as positivecompatibility with existing Lambda II HR software, but pointed lack of high-profile titles like arcade game conversions.^[37] It was considered as a professional machine, capable of running small business applications liketext processors,spreadsheets anddatabases.^[20] A 1985 review of the system praised the variedperipherals available, but again criticized the lack of software.^[33]

Specifications:^[38]

• CPU: Zilog Z80A @ 5 MHz
• Memory: 64K RAM; 16K ROM
• OS: Forth
• Keyboard: mechanical
• Display: 40 × 22 text in 8 colours; 112 × 78 in 8 colours, 243 × 231 in 4 colours
• Sound: SN76477 (one voice, four octaves)
• Ports: Television (RGB, SECAM), two joysticks, Centronics, Disc Drive
• Built-in cassette recorder
• PSU: Built-in

TheHector MX,^[39][40] released in 1985, is similar to the HRX but offers BASIC, Forth,Logo and Assembly as languages available in ROM.^[41]

Specifications:^[41]

• CPU: Zilog Z80A @ 5 MHz
• Memory: 48K RAM; 64K ROM
• OS: BASIC 3X, HRX Forth, Logo, Assembly
• Keyboard: mechanical
• Display: 40 × 22 text in 8 colours; 112 × 78 in 8 colours, 243 × 231 in 4 colours
• Sound: SN76477 (one voice, four octaves)
• Ports: Television (RGB, SECAM), two joysticks, Centronics, Disc Drive
• Built-in cassette recorder
• PSU: Built-in

Some software likeWordstar orMultiplan exists for this series of machines, along with many small games.^[42][43] They are also compatible with theInteract Home Computer

• Microcomputers
• Computers designed in France
• History of computing in France
• Z80-based home computers

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