Amstrad User Group

Nederlandstalig

The Amstrad Integra.

This machine, the Integra, is as far as I know, the last computer design that Amstrad marketed and labeled under it's own name. Amstrad still has a subsidiary that deals in computers, Viglen, but that company is more involved in assembly, less in design or production.

It was the last computer that was actually designed by Amstrad and has some of the innovating (or deviating) features that are often apparent in Amstrad's. There is almost always something surprising in an Amstrad computer: sometimes less usable or definitely annoying but often something nice, something extra... This model apparently carried the name Paladium in Germany.

The Integra came with either an 80486 or a Pentium I processor on board. The specimen on the picture is equipped with a 75mHz Pentium I, Windows 95, 8 megabytes of memory, an 813 megabytes hard disc and a 16 speed CD Rom player. A remarkable feature of this machine is that it comes with a television-card and accessory software: in those days a neat feature. TV-cards were really expensive back then...

Shown is the Teletekst module with channel RTL4 displayed. Unfortunately, the connector on the TV-card is a regular antenna-connector: it does work on cable too, though. But I subscribed to Digitenne and canceled my UPC subscription. I have to arrange a sort of adapter between antenna and Scart, otherwise I will not be able to use the Integra as TV. That will not be long anyway, as the analogue television signals (NL 1/2/3) will disappear soon from Dutch air.

The design comprises an integrated monitor and system unit, which saves on loose connectors (at least those for connecting the system unit to the monitor for data and power). You cannot, however, upgrade the monitor by replacing it with a different one in this concept.

Moreover, the design has a remarkable depth as shown in the photograph on the right: it looks a lot like an (older) Apple, which also is the case with the PcW 16. You cannot use the average Ikea desk for this computer, not even the wider table that I normally use to photograph objects. The machine almost protrudes on that one too...

The thing is heavy too, so you should drop the idea of a portable TV annex computer... The Intrega, however, has an ordinary 15 inch monitor - nothing special about that (the size). The quality is reasonable, but not spectacular.

The graphics card is less to my liking: in 1024*768 pixels you can only work in 256 colours. This shows the true age of the Integra - it also has a mere 8 megabytes of working memory.

And that is nowadays way too small...

A number of the most frequently used connections is fitted on the front of the computer. Very convenient indeed.

From top to bottom and from left to right: built-in speakers with, in between, the six controls for the monitor and display.

There is a dummy button next to that, a couple of LED lights and the 3.5" disc drive.

Under that, the external connections for the audio (speakers and/or headset), volume control and a button to switch off the internal speaker (a handy feature).

And, last but not least. the CD Rom player.

The quality of the sound card (an ordinary 16 bits AWE Soundblaster) and the internal speakers is reasonable.

Especially for an early multi-media computer, which is the classification of the Integra.

The back of the machine is the location for the rest of the connections. The left upper panel contains audio in/out plus a standard game port.

The panel on the right side covers the three expansion slots, one of which contains the built-in TV-card. The card features a few unknown connectors for which I still have to figure out purpose and use. The modem card below, is (according to me) not part of the standard equipment but I (still) have to check that.

The software that comes with the TV-cards bears the Amstrad label but has probably been written and licensed by the manufacturer of the card. The card supports fast-paging teletext: no more waiting for the next page to appear - annoying when you want to check the arrival time of a flight on Schiphol Airport. The one you are interested is always on page number 15...

In addition, besides the option to create snapshots, you can also record moving video in the QuickTime format. You cannot, however, attach a video recorder to the machine and the hard disc supplied is (with 813 megabytes) way too small. The Integra is therefore only intended to be used as a luxurious multi-media computer, definitely not as a video recorder, let alone a video editing machine.

Questions about the Integra via the contact form

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