The MAX-20 (for Matra AX-20) was the same machine as the Axel 20. The main difference between them was the removal of the function keys in front of the monitor. The 'E' version probably meant 'Education'
Although the machine was well conceived and the case offered a nice design, it had no success in the private sector because of its poor compatibility with the IBM-PC standard. However, about 1000 systems were sold to the French Department of Education as network servers (first networks established in schools, called 'Nano Réseau').
Furthermore, as the computer was built by Comterm-Matra, a Franco-Canadian subsidiary of Matra, the Canadian Department of Education obliged schools to order the MAX-20 instead of the Apple Macintosh. Thee first deliveries occurred in early 1985. One year later, after having delivered 9000 computers, Comterm-Matra met with financial difficulties and ceased production. Thus, the machines quickly became obsolete and unusable in schools.
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I remember using this machine under DOS 2.11 and programming in GW-BASIC too ... Grade IV and V @ St-Maxime, Québec in the end of the 90s'' - what a blast from the past! I even played a joke upon my teacher by hiding one of these beasts in my locker loll!
Can''t beleive I learned my first programming language on this machine when I was 10.
BASIC!
Tuesday 27th August 2013
D (Montreal, QC, Canada)
I remember using this model in high school in Quebec (the year was 1989 I think) though it was not all popular. I had to edit an essay I started typing on my IBM PC at home but the school's computer lab only had Apple II's. Luckily, I remember seeing a few abandoned Max's in a nearly abandoned classroom so I asked for permission to use one. It booted my DOS 5.25" floppy diskette and ran my word processor with no problem and I was able to complete my essay.
Tuesday 8th August 2006
Hien Le (Houston, Texas, USA)
NAME
MAX 20
MANUFACTURER
Matra
TYPE
Professional Computer
ORIGIN
France
YEAR
1984
END OF PRODUCTION
1986
BUILT IN LANGUAGE
None
KEYBOARD
Full stroke 92 keys with numeric keypad and arrow keys
CPU
Intel 8088
SPEED
4,77 Mhz
CO-PROCESSOR
Optional 8087 math co-processor
RAM
64 kb (up to 1 Mb)
ROM
2 kb
TEXT MODES
80 chars x 24 lines
GRAPHIC MODES
Unknown
COLORS
Monochrome green
SOUND
Built-in speaker
SIZE / WEIGHT
42 (W) x 51 (D) x 38 (H) cm
I/O PORTS
Parallel, optional Serial and Network
BUILT IN MEDIA
5.25'' disk-drive - 320 kb
OS
MS-DOS & CP/M 86
POWER SUPPLY
Built-in PSU - 65W
PERIPHERALS
Printers, disk-drives, V24 communication card, high resolution card, modem
