FM Towns:Model List

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

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 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 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

• 

  MX20. 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

• 

  Fresh Desktop.

• 

  Fresh TV.

EA Series

RAM timing requirement is 80ns or less. Only 3 expansion slots and takes shorter CPU upgrade cards.
Very easy upgrade path for floppy emulators as it's plug and play.
Internally converts all video and outputs 31khz with a standard VGA connector.
Some models require CPU upgrade card to be present as the CPU footprint on the motherboard is empty.

EA Desktops

Model	Integrated Memory	Slot 1 Maximum	Slot 2 Maximum	Maximum Memory	CPU	Other information
Fresh E	8MB	32MB	32MB	72MB	486DX2 66MHZ	260MB HDD
Fresh T	8MB	32MB	32MB	72MB	486SX 33MHZ	260MB HDD
EA2	4MB	32MB	32MB	72MB	486SX 33MHZ	N/A
Fresh ES	8MB	32MB	32MB	72MB	486DX2 66MHZ	360MB HDD, Only 1 3-Mode FDD
Fresh ET	8MB	32MB	32MB	72MB	486DX2 66MHZ	360MB HDD, Has TV Tuner card, Only 1 3-Mode FDD
Fresh FS	8MB	32MB	32MB	72MB	486DX4 100MHZ	540MB HDD, Only 1 3-Mode FDD
Fresh FT	8MB	32MB	32MB	72MB	486DX2 66MHZ	540MB HDD, Has TV Tuner card, Only 1 3-Mode FDD
SI2	4MB	32MB	32MB	68MB	486SX 33MHZ	Educational Model
SI26	8MB	32MB	32MB	72MB	486SX 33MHZ	260MB HDD, Educational Model
SJ2	4MB	32MB	32MB	68MB	486DX2 66MHZ	Educational Model
SJ26	8MB	32MB	32MB	72MB	486DX2 66MHZ	260MB HDD, Educational Model
SJ2A	4MB	32MB	32MB	68MB	486DX2 66MHZ	Educational Model
SJ53	8MB	32MB	32MB	72MB	486DX2 66MHZ	530MB HDD, Educational Model

• 

  EA Desktop

• 

  Fresh E Desktop

HA Series

The last Desktops. Has two internal "Towns SCSI" ports inside as well as the outer SCSI port.
CD Drive is an extremely unreliable variant.
RAM memory timing must be 60ns.
Floppy emulator upgrade also easy to perform. EXT FDD Port is removed in these models as well.
Has a standard VGA port and performs internal video conversion. Outputs 31khz.

HA Desktops

Model	Integrated Memory	Slot 1 Maximum	Slot 2 Maximum	Slot 3 Maximum	Slot 4 Maximum	Maximum Memory	CPU	Other information
HA2	4MB	32MB	32MB	32MB	N/A	100MB	486DX2 66MHZ	N/A
HA53	8MB	32MB	32MB	32MB	N/A	104MB	486DX2 66MHZ	530MB HDD
HB2	8MB	32MB	32MB	32MB	32MB	136MB	Pentium 60mhz	100MB HDD
HB53	8MB	32MB	32MB	32MB	32MB	136MB	Pentium 60mhz	530MB HDD
HB53M	8MB	32MB	32MB	32MB	32MB	136MB	Pentium 60mhz	530MB HDD. Has a Magneto Optical Drive built in.
HC53	8MB	32MB	32MB	32MB	32MB	136MB	Pentium 90mhz	100MB HDD. One FDD.
HC53M	8MB	32MB	32MB	32MB	32MB	136MB	Pentium 90mhz	530MB HDD. One FDD. Has a Magneto Optical Drive built in.
SK53	8MB	32MB	32MB	32MB	32MB	136MB	Pentium 60mhz	530MB HDD. Educational model.
SL53	8MB	32MB	32MB	32MB	32MB	136MB	Pentium 90mhz	530MB HDD. Educational model.

• 

  HB53M

• 

  HC53M