TheX1 (エックスワン,Ekkusuwan), sometimes called theSharp X1^[1] orCZ-800C^[2], is a series ofhome computers released bySharp Corporation from 1982 to 1988.^[1] It is based on aZilog Z80CPU.^{[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]}

X1 (CZ-800C)

Hu-BASIC start screen
Manufacturer	Sharp Corporation
Type	Home computer
Release date	1982 (1982)
Introductory price	¥155,000
Discontinued	1988
Media	Compact Cassette orfloppy disk
Operating system	Hu-BASIC,CP/M
CPU	SharpZ80 A @ 4 MHz
Memory	64 KB RAM, 4-48KB Video RAM, 6KB ROM
Removable storage	Cassette tape, floppy disc
Display	Text: 40 / 80 x 25 characters; Graphics: 320 x 200 / 640 x 200; 8 colors
Sound	AY-3-8910 or Yamaha YM2149 (YM2151 in later revisions)
Input	Keyboard,joysticks
Controller input	2 joysticks
Connectivity	Printer port, joystick port, audio out
Power	Built in PSU
Predecessor	Sharp MZ series
Successor	X68000

TheRGBdisplay monitor for the X1 had a television tuner, and a computer screen could be superimposed on TV.^[1] All the TV functions could be controlled from a computer program. The character font was completely programmable (PCG) with4-bit color, and was effectively used in many games. The entirety of the VRAM memory was mapped on to the I/O area, so it was controlled withoutbank switching. These features made the X1 very powerful for game software.

Despite the fact that theComputer Division of Sharp Corporation had released theMZ series, suddenly theTelevision Division released a new computer series called the X1. At the time the original X1 was released, all other home computers generally had aBASIC language inROM. However the X1 did not have a BASIC ROM, and it had to load theHu-BASIC interpreter from a cassette tape. On the plus side however, this concept meant that a freeRAM area was available that was as big as possible when not using BASIC. This policy was originally copied from theSharp MZ series, and they were calledclean computers in Japan. The cabinet shape of X1 was also much more stylish than others at that time and a range of cabinet colors (including Red) was selectable.

Sharp never released anMSX computer in Japan. Some X1 developers were proud to develop their own technology, and they didn't want to work withMicrosoft who attempted to create a unified standard.^[10] However, the Brazilian subsidiary of Sharp, Epcom, released an MSX computer namedHotbit HB-8000 in Brazil.

While X1 was struggling to sell, thePC8801 (fromNEC) was quickly becoming popular in the Japanese market. In 1984, Sharp released theX1 turbo [jp]^[11] series with high-resolution graphics (640x400, while X1 had 640x200). It had many improvements, but theclock speed was still only 4 MHz. In 1986, Sharp released theX1 turbo Z^[7] series with a4096 coloranalog RGB monitor. AnX1 twin^[8], which had aPC-Engine in the cabinet, was released as the last machine of the X1 series in 1987. The X1 series was succeeded by theX68000.

In the late 2000s, Sharp sold desktop PC/TV combos in Japan through itsInternet Aquos line, where anX1-style red color scheme was available.^[12]