1997 Brother WP-5600 MDS #D76981559
Status: Sightings
Hunter: Ted Munk (munk)
Created: 10-25-2014 at 12:45AM
Last Edit: 10-25-2014 at 12:48AM
Find on Ebay #AD
Find on Etsy #AD
Description:
Is it a Typewriter? This WP-series machine was manufactured April 1997 (confirmed by keyboard datestamp of 1 month earlier), and was originally outfitted with an external monochrome CRT screen using an odd 9-pin serial like plug. The monitor is missing on this specimen, so I couldn't try out the wide variety of programs (not only word processing, but Spreadsheet, Database and games like Tetris) that the user manual talks about.
I figured out how to get it to run in typewriter mode only to find that the "Z" key is broken, so I tore it apart to see what was inside. Found the datestamp (Yay!), a nice PC-compatible floppy drive, and the interesting and simplistic motherboard running a Zilog Z180 processor - the successor to the 8-bit Z-80 that powered my old TRS-80 Model 4 and many CP/M machines back in the 80's. I'm impressed with the breadth and capabilities that they managed to stuff into the firmware ROM of this machine (at least what the manual said it could do).
Well, now it's in parts, so I guess it's not a part of my "Collection" anymore :P
Typeface Specimen:
Links:
Photos:
Hunter: Ted Munk (munk)
Ted Munk's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]
Status: Curator
Points: 2786
I am a scoundrel without a cause, and my swank outshines the sun.
I am a casual Typewriter Hunter residing in the sweltering deserts of Arizona with a wife, three cats and about 50 typewriters. My main hunting ground is thrift stores, and I rarely pay more than $10 for a machine. My collection consists mainly of portables with cases, and they stay in the cases unless I am actively using it (usually more than one at a time). I do, however keep a handful of interesting Selectrics, including a Composer and a couple of large Nakajima Electronics to use as daisywheel printers for my vintage laptop collection.
RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Brother WP-5600 MDS on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Brother Serial Number page and the Brother WP-5600 MDS By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.
