FM Towns:Model List

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


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.


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 1 386 DX @ 16mhz, Socketted 1MB 1MB 2MB 2MB 6MB 100ns One 2Mode FDD N/A
Model 2 386 DX @ 16mhz, Socketted 2MB 1MB 2MB 2MB 6MB 100ns Two 2Mode FDD N/A
S1 386 DX @ 16mhz, Socketted 1MB 1MB 2MB 2MB 6MB 100ns One 2Mode FDD Educational Model
S2 386 DX @ 16mhz, Socketted 2MB 1MB 2MB 2MB 6MB 100ns Two 2Mode FDD Educational Model

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 386 DX @ 16mhz, Socketted 1MB 2MB 2MB 2MB 7MB 100ns One 2Mode FDD N/A
2F 386 DX @ 16mhz, Socketted 2MB 2MB 2MB 2MB 8MB 100ns Two 2Mode FDD N/A
1H 386 DX @ 16mhz, Socketted 1MB 2MB 2MB 2MB 7MB 100ns One 2Mode FDD 20MB HDD
2H 386 DX @ 16mhz, Socketted 2MB 2MB 2MB 2MB 8MB 100ns Two 2Mode FDD 40MB HDD
SF 386 DX @ 16mhz, Socketted 2MB 2MB 2MB 2MB 8MB 100ns Two 2Mode FDD Educational Model
SH 386 DX @ 16mhz, Socketted 2MB 2MB 2MB 2MB 8MB 100ns Two 2Mode FDD 40MB HDD, Educational Model

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 386 DX @ 16mhz, Soldered 2MB 8MB 8MB 8MB 26MB 100ns One 2Mode FDD N/A
20F 386 DX @ 16mhz, Soldered 2MB 8MB 8MB 8MB 26MB 100ns Two 2Mode FDD N/A
40H 386 DX @ 16mhz, Soldered 2MB 8MB 8MB 8MB 26MB 100ns Two 2Mode FDD 40MB HDD
80H 386 DX @ 16mhz, Soldered 2MB 8MB 8MB 8MB 26MB 100ns Two 2Mode FDD 85MB HDD


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 386 DX @ 16mhz, Soldered 2MB 8MB 8MB 8MB 26MB 100ns One 2Mode FDD N/A
CX20 386 DX @ 16mhz, Soldered 2MB 8MB 8MB 8MB 26MB 100ns Two 2Mode FDD N/A
CX40 386 DX @ 16mhz, Soldered 2MB 8MB 8MB 8MB 26MB 100ns Two 2Mode FDD 40MB HDD
CX100 386 DX @ 16mhz, Soldered 2MB 8MB 8MB 8MB 26MB 100ns Two 2Mode FDD 100MB HDD
SF2 386 DX @ 16mhz, Soldered 2MB 8MB 8MB 8MB 26MB 100ns Two 2Mode FDD Educational Model
SH2 386 DX @ 16mhz, Soldered 2MB 8MB 8MB 8MB 26MB 100ns Two 2Mode FDD 40MB HDD, Educational Model



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 Header text 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