My dearest MSX

That's easy, I have really fond memories of my Gradiente Expert v1.1, it looked like a real computer and not a toy by having a metal case for the CPU and a separate keyboard, specially when you place a TV set or monitor on top of the case. It was the responsible for my real passion about games (even though I had an Atari 2600 and an Odyssey 2 before it, none really made me like games as much as the MSX, I would be tempted to rank it as a tie with my Famiclone as the equipment I've enjoyed the most related to games). I was really crazy about the Sony Hitbit a friend had imported from Japan, it was cute and played MSX2 games, but it was just a quick summer passion, real love was the Expert.

I learned a bit about programming with it, but at that time I didn't spent much time programming, but what I've learned programming in Basic and the little concepts in z80 ASM were the solid foundation for when I started to make a living out of computer programming.

So difficult to choose!

I entered the MSX world with the HitBit HB75P Back in 1985 I was certainly a Sony fanboy. I was lucky to earn some extra pocket money at an uncle's company after school. So the first Discman, the D-50, active boxes and the Hitbit decorated my desk. I also afforded the trackball and the graphics program Creative Graphics and spent a lot of time creating pictures. This certainly influenced my career a lot. Later I was able to study graphics at the state academy in Stuttgart. In 1986 I saw the first MSX2 computer in a shop, the Sony HB-F700D and I was immediately in love. Unfortunately my money was only enough for a VG8235, but two years later I bought a used Sony.
Until 1999 this was the only computer I used, although not the only MSX in my possession. Of course I always dreamed of a Genlocker 900, but before that I got a few 8280s. Most MSX I still own today.
Sometimes I ask myself, if I should get rid of my computers, which one would I keep?

I must pick more than one for several reasons.

1. Philips VG8235 for nostalgic reasons. It was the first MSX I ever saw and touched. Played River Raid on it. I was told to start flying with the space bar, but since no one told me I had to use it to shoot as well I never got over the first bridge. And yes, it occured to me that when starting the game with the space bar a shot was fired. But how the hell was I supposed to understand the relation between the space bar and the plane's gun? I was used to play outside. A few weeks ago I bought a 8235 just for nostalgia and built a 2DD fdd in it and soldered 256K into it. If I'd done that as an eight year old boy I'd never care for number 2:
2. Sony HB-F700P. A hyper modern looking beast of a machine with just one draw back: it's hyper faaas... eh, sloooow disk rom. But the machine had 256K and a 2DD drive. It could run everything that was available in the day. In 1992 orso the 8235 was sold and a 700P was bought and that's where Near Dark hit the streets. I was able to help the guys doing something. Later the Sony HB-F700P had to move for probably my dearest computer which will not be sold even if you give me € 10.000,-:
3. My custom Philips NMS8250 inside a pc case. Except an R800 there's nothing you won't find under the hood of that beast. For it's a beast it got the name Tweety.
4. When Dutch MSX magazine released an issue with the Sony HB-F1XDJ on the cover I knew I needed it. I never got it until a few years ago. Imho it's the prettiest off the shelve machine I've ever seen.
5. But ofcourse my Panasonic FS-A1ST will win hands down. Together with the MFR it's an unbeatable combination of pure speed. But they should've used the casing of:
6. The Panasonic FS-A1FX with its beatiful black case and red detail. Together with the Sony HB-F1XDJ it only wins on looks

So yes, I can't choose... The above all have something special in my time-line.

I was so used to the PSG being low-volume on NMS8250 (with SCC) that the first time I heard the music with a normal PSG volume I thought it was incredibly weird. Same with hearing tunes on the proper speed (60hz). Nowadays I'm completely used to both.
And if we look at present day (present time) the Zemmix Neo is my new love, I guess. What a cheater I am.

Oh yes, the shittiest machine... For me that's my one chip msx