Olivetti Envision (400/P75)
Olivetti Envision P75, with manuals and peripherals
ManufacturerOlivetti
TypeMultimedia personal computer
Release date1995 (1995)
Discontinued1996 (1996)
Operating systemWindows 95
CPUIntel 486 DX4 100 MHz or Intel Pentium P75 processor
Memory8 MB
StorageFloppy disk; Hard drive; CD-ROM
Removable storage1,4MB 3,5" floppy disk; CD-ROM
DisplayVGA monitor, TV; 1024x768, 800x600
GraphicsTrident TGV9470
SoundCrystal Semiconductor Corporation CS4231 + Oak Mozart OTI 605
InputKeyboard, remote
ConnectivityParallel, Serial, Modem

The Olivetti Envision (400/P75) was an Italian multimedia personal computer produced in 1995.[1][2][3] It came with a choice of two processors: Intel 486 DX4 100 MHz or Intel Pentium P75.[2]

It had an infrared keyboard and internal modem, and it was compatible with audio CDs, CD-ROMs, Photo CDs and Video CDs.[4] Preinstalled software allowed the computer to work as a fax or answering machine when connected to a telephone line.[5]

The Envision had three possible operating modes:

Designed by M. De Lucchi,[1] the declared goal for this device was to convince non-computer-savvy people that computers are not impossibly hard to use and can be bought and used like normal home appliances. For this reason, it was intentionally designed to resemble a videocassette recorder more than a computer, and it was equipped with two SCART sockets (to connect it to a TV set),[1] a TV-like remote control, and a slot that could host a satellite TV decoder card.[6]

The Olivetti Envision was discontinued in 1996 due to poor sales caused by its excessive price, many software bugs and limited expandability.[7][2]

Technical specifications[1][8]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "OLIVETTI ENVISION, 1995". Laboratorio-Museo Tecnologicamente (in Italian). Retrieved 2022-11-11.
  2. 1 2 3 "Olivetti Envision - Obscure Italian Multimedia device". Ultimate Console Database. 2009. Retrieved 2022-11-11.
  3. 1 2 Wim, Wubs (2010). "Olivetti Envision P75". Klassieke computers (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-11-11.
  4. ↑ Grimwood, Jon Courtenay (23 October 1995). "On the sofa with your favourite program". The Independent. Retrieved 2010-12-24.
  5. ↑ Nicola, Saldutti (September 8, 1995). "Olivetti rilancia sui computer". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). p. 23.
  6. ↑ Ciardelli, Paolo (December 1995). "Olivetti Envision". MC Microcomputer. No. 157. p. 204.
  7. ↑ Pedrazzini, Fabrizio (2001). "OLIVETTI ENVISION". The Strange (and Rare) Videogame Pics Page. Retrieved 2011-03-16.
  8. ↑ ENVISION 400/P75/P100 (PDF).
  9. ↑ TVG9470 TV Accelerator. Trident Microsystems. September 1995.
  10. ↑ CS4231A - Parallel Interface, Multimedia Audio Codec (PDF). Crystal Semiconductor Corporation. 1994.
  11. ↑ "Olivetti Personal Computers Mozart OTI 605 driver. Driver for Olivetti Educator PCS P/90 E/En original sound card". www.soundcard-drivers.com. Retrieved 2022-11-11.
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