the number of the MSX computer produced | MSX Resource Center (Página 1/4)

Ascended (19803)

10-06-2020, 11:24

There have been some attempts to find out using serial numbers.

For instance:
https://www.msx.org/forum/msx-talk/hardware/how-many-turbo-r...
and
https://www.msx.org/forum/msx-talk/hardware/big-gathering-ms...

Here's another estimate:
http://msx.gnu-linux.net/statistics.html But I don't know the source of these numbers. The number for the Netherlands is about accurate, if I remember correctly what Wammes Witkop told me.

Por Metalion

Paragon (1639)

10-06-2020, 12:00

litwr wrote:

Have anybody tried to estimate this number?
IMHO it can be more than a number of the C64 produced.

Not sure about that.

The estimate for C64 worldwide is 12.5 million units.
For MSX, the estimate for Japan alone is 5 million units.
And I'm doubtful that MSX sold more outside Japan than inside (rather the opposite), so...

Por enribar

Paragon (1233)

10-06-2020, 14:21

Quote:

The estimate for C64 worldwide is 12.5 million units. For MSX, the estimate for Japan alone is 5 million units.
And I'm doubtful that MSX sold more outside Japan than inside (rather the opposite), so...

Why not...! My personal estimate is at least 8 million units of "pure" MSX computers since we don't, and maybe will never, know the right number of sales: too much companies from all over the world, some countries unexplored (Thailand...), all manifacturers didn't publish their sales, many rebranded models, etc.
After that, consider also the total sales of the "MSX Technology", for ex. videotitlers, network terminals, public info-points, or custom machines with embedded MSX chips that are forgotten forever... And why not: the FPGA implementations are MSX machines, too!
At the end it's very easy to reach 10 million units sold.

Por dmr

Ambassador (0)

10-06-2020, 14:28

... is this an estimate, a guestimate or is it a number built on pure hope? ;-)

Por litwr

Resident (56)

11-06-2020, 12:01

Thanks. So let's estimate the number of the Z80 computers sold:
1) MSX - less than 10 millions;
2) Amstrad CPC and PCW - more than 11 millions;
3) Tandy TRS-80 - about 10 millions (it is just my guess based on some indirect information);
4) ZX Spectrum with clones - less than 10 millions;
5) various CP/M computers - less than 3 millions (it is also just my guess);
6) various other the Z80 computers - less than 2 millions (a guess).
I don't know any game console based on the Z80. So we have roughly about 45 millions of the Z80 systems sold. This number looks much less than a number for the 6502 systems where only NES has about 62 millions. Any corrections?

Por Grauw

Ascended (10860)

11-06-2020, 12:04

Quote:

I don't know any game console based on the Z80.

Sega SG-1000, Master System and Game Gear all use the Z80.

Game Boy CPU is also Z80-based although with a modified (and not fully compatible) instruction set.

Por mars2000you

Enlighted (6613)

11-06-2020, 13:12

Also the ColecoVision

Por enribar

Paragon (1233)

11-06-2020, 15:12

litwr wrote:

Thanks. So let's estimate the number of the Z80 computers sold:
1) MSX - less than 10 millions;
2) Amstrad CPC and PCW - more than 11 millions;
4) ZX Spectrum with clones - less than 10 millions;

Excuse me but... something does not compute, to me... ;-)

Quote:

I don't know any game console based on the Z80.

Korean Zemmix consoles, for example.

Quote:

So we have roughly about 45 millions of the Z80 systems sold. This number looks much less than a number for the 6502 systems where only NES has about 62 millions. Any corrections?

Many corrections are needed on these estimates, I think

Por Pentarou

Hero (580)

11-06-2020, 16:38

litwr wrote:

Thanks. So let's estimate the number of the Z80 computers sold:
1) MSX - less than 10 millions;

Some books quote 9+ millions in Japan alone

litwr wrote:

3) Tandy TRS-80 - about 10 millions (it is just my guess based on some indirect information);

??? what info?

litwr wrote:

5) various CP/M computers - less than 3 millions (it is also just my guess);

C128 had 5+ millions by itself

litwr wrote:

6) various other the Z80 computers - less than 2 millions (a guess).

PC88, PC6xxx, Sharp MZ, Sharp X1... Probably a bit more than 2 millions.

litwr wrote:

I don't know any game console based on the Z80. ?

Megadrive (z80 for audio and SMS) had ~30 millions.

Por dmr

Ambassador (0)

11-06-2020, 18:43

litwr wrote:

Thanks. So let's estimate the number of the Z80 computers sold:
1) MSX - less than 10 millions;
2) Amstrad CPC and PCW - more than 11 millions;
3) Tandy TRS-80 - about 10 millions (it is just my guess based on some indirect information);
4) ZX Spectrum with clones - less than 10 millions;
5) various CP/M computers - less than 3 millions (it is also just my guess);
6) various other the Z80 computers - less than 2 millions (a guess).
I don't know any game console based on the Z80. So we have roughly about 45 millions of the Z80 systems sold. This number looks much less than a number for the 6502 systems where only NES has about 62 millions. Any corrections?

... so, where is this based on? And if it's just anyone's guess, then what's the use? Surely there must be some way to at least make sure that there is a foundation for these numbers (e.g. the serial-number approach mentioned in this thread).

litwr wrote:

5) various CP/M computers - less than 3 millions (it is also just my guess);

... do you have ANY idea how many different CP/M based systems exist?