FM Towns:Model List: Difference between revisions

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CPU is 486SX at 33mhz for MF series. RAM timing requirement is 80ns or less.  
CPU is 486SX at 33mhz for MF series. RAM timing requirement is 80ns or less. Only 3 expansion slots and takes shorter CPU upgrade cards.


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Revision as of 16:16, 9 August 2022

FM Towns Computer came in multiple models over its lifetime. The most iconic is the tower models.

It should be noted all parts can be interchanged from other models in the series of computers it belongs in. For example, the motherboard from a 2F can be used in a 1H model. Some models were educational models that were placed in schools and are identical to their retail counterpart in the series.

Towers

To tell the difference between the tower models is quite easy. Pay attention to the buttons on the front panel of the computer. They're different for the 4 different tower-types.

All towers come stock with a 386DX CPU clocked at 16mhz.

  • All Tower Generation Models. From left to right, Gen 1, Gen 2, Gen 3 and Gen 4

    All Tower Generation Models. From left to right, Gen 1, Gen 2, Gen 3 and Gen 4


Generation 1 Tower Models

There is no SCSI connector on this computer and it requires a special SCSI add-on card to use a hard drive/hard drive emulator. The model number for the SCSI card is FMT-121.

Generation 1 Tower models
Model CPU Integrated Memory Maximum RAM slot 1 Maximum RAM slot 2 Maximum RAM slot 3 Maximum Memory Memory Timing FDD Other Notes
Model 1 Socketted 1MB 1MB 2MB 2MB 6MB 100ns One 2Mode FDD N/A
Model 2 Socketted 2MB 1MB 2MB 2MB 6MB 100ns Two 2Mode FDD N/A
S1 Socketted 1MB 1MB 2MB 2MB 6MB 100ns One 2Mode FDD Educational Model
S2 Socketted 2MB 1MB 2MB 2MB 6MB 100ns Two 2Mode FDD Educational Model
  • Generation 1 Tower

    Generation 1 Tower

Generation 2 Tower Models

Generation 2 and onward have integrated SCSI controller and connector. They also have the optional ability to have an internal HDD which is not recommended.

Generation 2 Tower models
Model CPU Integrated Memory Maximum RAM slot 1 Maximum RAM slot 2 Maximum RAM slot 3 Maximum Memory Memory Timing FDD Other Notes
1F Socketted 1MB 2MB 2MB 2MB 7MB 100ns One 2Mode FDD N/A
2F Socketted 2MB 2MB 2MB 2MB 8MB 100ns Two 2Mode FDD N/A
1H Socketted 1MB 2MB 2MB 2MB 7MB 100ns One 2Mode FDD 20MB HDD
2H Socketted 2MB 2MB 2MB 2MB 8MB 100ns Two 2Mode FDD 40MB HDD
SF Socketted 2MB 2MB 2MB 2MB 8MB 100ns Two 2Mode FDD Educational Model
SH Socketted 2MB 2MB 2MB 2MB 8MB 100ns Two 2Mode FDD 40MB HDD, Educational Model
  • Generation 2 Tower. Notice the CD seek light.

    Generation 2 Tower. Notice the CD seek light.

Generation 3 Tower Models

Generation 3 towers appear to be the most widespread models specifically the 20F model. The CPU for Generation 3 and onward are soldered and require expert-level desoldering to perform an upgrade.

Generation 3 Tower models
Model CPU Integrated Memory Maximum RAM slot 1 Maximum RAM slot 2 Maximum RAM slot 3 Maximum Memory Memory Timing FDD Other Notes
10F Soldered 2MB 8MB 8MB 8MB 26MB 100ns One 2Mode FDD N/A
20F Soldered 2MB 8MB 8MB 8MB 26MB 100ns Two 2Mode FDD N/A
40H Soldered 2MB 8MB 8MB 8MB 26MB 100ns Two 2Mode FDD 40MB HDD
80H Soldered 2MB 8MB 8MB 8MB 26MB 100ns Two 2Mode FDD 85MB HDD


  • Notice the CD seek light on front panel.

    Notice the CD seek light on front panel.

Generation 4 Tower Models

Generation 4 Towers are the best models introducing FAST mode for software that supported it.

Generation 4 Tower models
Model CPU Integrated Memory Maximum RAM slot 1 Maximum RAM slot 2 Maximum RAM slot 3 Maximum Memory Memory Timing FDD Other Notes
CX10 Soldered 2MB 8MB 8MB 8MB 26MB 100ns One 2Mode FDD N/A
CX20 Soldered 2MB 8MB 8MB 8MB 26MB 100ns Two 2Mode FDD N/A
CX40 Soldered 2MB 8MB 8MB 8MB 26MB 100ns Two 2Mode FDD 40MB HDD
CX100 Soldered 2MB 8MB 8MB 8MB 26MB 100ns Two 2Mode FDD 100MB HDD
SF2 Soldered 2MB 8MB 8MB 8MB 26MB 100ns Two 2Mode FDD Educational Model
SH2 Soldered 2MB 8MB 8MB 8MB 26MB 100ns Two 2Mode FDD 40MB HDD, Educational Model


  • Generation 4 Tower. Notice the CD, HDD and FAST lights on front panel

    Generation 4 Tower. Notice the CD, HDD and FAST lights on front panel

All-In-Ones

The U* models had the CRT built into them similar to the very old Mac Classic Computers. You can even use it as a CRT for other FMT and PC98 computers. It is extremely difficult to disassemble an all-in-one model for maintenance or troubleshooting purposes. It is strongly recommended to recap the PSU cards for the Computer and the CRT sections as fast as possible Drive can also be repaired a lot easier than many desktops and towers albeit extremely painful to access. It should also be noted that SCSI ID 0 can't be accessed by U* series due to BIOS limitations and the HDD must be Device 1-8 instead. U* series also cannot shutdown via TownsOS and must be shut off by the actual power button. There is a message similar to Windows 95 where it says "It's now safe to turn off the Computer".

UX series

Very first All-in-one computer. Has the same CPU as Marty except for a 32bit BUS instead of the 16bit one in Marty.

UX Series
Model Integrated Memory Slot 1 Maximum Maximum Memory Memory Timing FDD HDD
UX10 2MB 8MB 10MB 100ns 1 2mode FDD N/A
UX20 2MB 8MB 10MB 100ns 2 2mode FDD N/A
UX40 2MB 8MB 10MB 100ns 2 2mode FDD 40MB
  • UX20. Notice the CD light right above the power button. Also notice the white letters on disk drive.

    UX20. Notice the CD light right above the power button. Also notice the white letters on disk drive.

UG Series

CPU Clocked at 20mhz but still 386SX. Has FAST mode.

UG Series
Model Integrated Memory Slot 1 Maximum Maximum Memory Memory Timing FDD HDD
UG10 2MB 8MB 10MB 100ns 1 2mode FDD N/A
UG20 2MB 8MB 10MB 100ns 2 2mode FDD N/A
UG40 2MB 8MB 10MB 100ns 2 2mode FDD 40MB
UG80 2MB 8MB 10MB 100ns 2 2mode FDD 80MB
  • UG20. Notice the FAST mode light and green letters on CD drive.

    UG20. Notice the FAST mode light and green letters on CD drive.


UR Series

CPU is 486SX at 20mhz and also has FAST mode.

UR Series
Model Integrated Memory Slot 1 Maximum Maximum Memory Memory Timing FDD HDD
UR20 2MB 8MB 10MB 100ns 2 2mode FDD N/A
UR40 2MB 8MB 10MB 100ns 2 2mode FDD 40MB
UR80 2MB 8MB 10MB 100ns 2 2mode FDD 80MB
  • UR20. Notice the disc drive green letters, FAST, HDD and CD lights.

    UR20. Notice the disc drive green letters, FAST, HDD and CD lights.


Desktops

All Desktops have 3 Mode FDD and usually come with 2 FDD unless noted.
All Desktops have 4 expansion slots with 1 for Video and 3 for generic cards unless noted.
All Desktops have FAST mode built in as an option.

HG Series

Very first desktops. CPU is 386DX at 20mhz.

HG/SG Desktops
Model Integrated Memory Slot 1 Maximum Slot 2 Maximum Slot 3 Maximum Maximum Memory Memory Timing Other information
HG20 2MB 8MB 8MB 8MB 26MB 100ns Example
HG40 2MB 8MB 8MB 8MB 26MB 100ns 40MB HDD
HG100 2MB 8MB 8MB 8MB 26MB 100ns 100MB HDD
SG20 2MB 8MB 8MB 8MB 26MB 100ns Educational Model
SG40 2MB 8MB 8MB 8MB 26MB 100ns 40MB HDD, Educational model
  • HG20. Notice the CD Drive text.

    HG20. Notice the CD Drive text.

HR Series

Not the same as HG-type desktops but looks similar. CPU is 486SX at 20mhz

HR/SR Desktops
Model Integrated Memory Slot 1 Maximum Slot 2 Maximum Slot 3 Maximum Maximum Memory Memory Timing Other information
HR20 4MB 8MB 8MB 8MB 28MB 100ns Example
HR100 4MB 8MB 8MB 8MB 28MB 100ns 100MB HDD
HR200 4MB 8MB 8MB 8MB 28MB 100ns 200MB HDD
SR20 4MB 8MB 8MB 8MB 28MB 100ns Educational Model
SR100 4MB 8MB 8MB 8MB 28MB 100ns 100MB HDD, Educational model
  • HR100. Notice the CD Drive text which is totally different from similar HG series.

    HR100. Notice the CD Drive text which is totally different from similar HG series.

ME Series

CPU is 486SX at 25mhz. RAM timing requirement is 80ns or less. Unlike most desktops, this model has only 3 expansion slots and therefore the CPU upgrade cards must be shorter.

ME Desktops
Model Integrated Memory Slot 1 Maximum Slot 2 Maximum Maximum Memory Other information
SE 2MB 32MB 32MB 66MB Educational Model
ME20 2MB 32MB 32MB 66MB N/A
ME170 2MB 32MB 32MB 66MB 170MB HDD


  • ME20. Notice the Disc drive letters. The Educational model might say SE or "FM TOWNS II" on the front?

    ME20. Notice the Disc drive letters. The Educational model might say SE or "FM TOWNS II" on the front?

MA/MX Series

CPU is 486SX at 33mhz for MA/SA series and 66mhz for MX series. RAM timing requirement is 80ns or less.

MA/MX Desktops
Model Integrated Memory Slot 1 Maximum Slot 2 Maximum Slot 3 Maximum Maximum Memory Other information
MA20 4MB 32MB 32MB 32MB 100MB N/A
MA170 4MB 32MB 32MB 32MB 100MB 170MB HDD
MA340 4MB 32MB 32MB 32MB 100MB 340MB HDD
MX20 4MB 32MB 32MB 32MB 100MB N/A
MX170 4MB 32MB 32MB 32MB 100MB 170MB HDD
MX340 4MB 32MB 32MB 32MB 100MB 340MB HDD
SA 4MB 32MB 32MB 32MB 100MB Educational Model
SA170W 4MB 32MB 32MB 32MB 100MB Educational Model, 170MB HDD, Comes with special video card?


  • MA20. Notice disk drive letters.

    MA20. Notice disk drive letters.

  • MX20. Notice disk drive letters.

    MX20. Notice disk drive letters.

  • SA170W. Notice disk drive letters.

    SA170W. Notice disk drive letters.


MF Series

CPU is 486SX at 33mhz for MF series. RAM timing requirement is 80ns or less. Only 3 expansion slots and takes shorter CPU upgrade cards.

MF Desktops
Model Integrated Memory Slot 1 Maximum Slot 2 Maximum Slot 3 Maximum Maximum Memory Other information
Fresh 6MB 32MB 32MB N/A 70MB 170MB HDD
Fresh TV 6MB 32MB N/A 32MB 70MB 170MB HDD. Has TV Tuner card.
MF20 4MB 32MB 32MB N/A 68MB N/A
MF170W 6MB 32MB 32MB N/A 100MB Might come with special video card?
SF20 4MB 32MB 32MB 32MB 100MB Educational Model
SF170W 6MB 32MB 32MB 32MB 102MB 340MB HDD, Educational Model

Examine the drive letters on the front.

  • MF20

    MF20

  • Fresh Desktop.

    Fresh Desktop.

  • Fresh TV.

    Fresh TV.

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