One Per Desk facts for kids
Merlin Tonto
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| Also known as | OPD, Merlin Tonto, Computerphone |
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| Manufacturer | International Computers Limited (ICL) |
| Type | personal computer / telecommunications terminal |
| Release date | 1984 |
| Operating system | BFS ("Basic Functional Software") |
| CPU | Motorola 68008 |
| Memory | 128 KB |
| Storage | 2× Microdrive |
| Graphics | ZX8301 |
| Sound | TMS5220 speech synthesiser |
| Connectivity | V.21/V.23 modem |
The One Per Desk, or OPD, was a cool and new type of computer launched in the UK in 1984. It was special because it combined a personal computer with a phone! Imagine having your computer and phone all in one device on your desk. It was built by a company called International Computers Limited (ICL). They worked with Sinclair Research and British Telecom to create it.
Other versions of the OPD were sold in different places. In the UK, it was called the Merlin Tonto. In Australia and New Zealand, it was known as the Computerphone. ICL focused on selling these to phone companies. This helped them reach many small and medium-sized businesses. The OPD sold very well, with millions of dollars in sales during its first nine months.
Contents
What Was Inside?
The OPD used some parts from another computer called the Sinclair QL. It had a 68008 CPU (the brain of the computer) and 128 KB of RAM (short-term memory). It also had two special storage devices called Microdrives. ICL made these Microdrives stronger so they would work better.
What made the OPD really unique was its "telephony module." This part had a special chip that controlled the keyboard. It also allowed the computer to connect to two phone lines. It included a modem for sending and receiving data over phone lines. The OPD even had a built-in phone handset and a speech synthesizer. This allowed it to answer incoming calls automatically!
The OPD came with either a black and white screen or a color screen. The black and white version cost about £1,195. The color version was more expensive at £1,625. Both screens also held the power supply for the OPD itself. Later, you could even add 3.5-inch floppy disk drives from other companies.
How Did It Work?
The OPD had its own special software system called BFS (Basic Functional Software). This was different from the software on the Sinclair QL. BFS helped you switch between different programs. It also managed phone calls and answered calls for you. You could use it for phone number directories and even a simple calculator.
A popular set of office programs called Xchange was also available. These programs were similar to what you might use today for writing or organizing information. You could get them as an optional ROM pack.
Other programs were available too. These included tools to connect to larger computers. For example, some ICL customers used the OPD to view reports from their big mainframe computers. The built-in modem helped download this information. The OPD was even used to help run a national bingo game across many halls in the UK.
The Merlin Tonto
British Telecom Business Systems sold the OPD as the Merlin M1800 Tonto. BT wanted the Tonto to be a central system for office desks. It could connect to online services and large mainframe computers. All this was done through the BT telephone network. The Tonto cost about £1,500 when it first came out. BT stopped supporting the Tonto in February 1993.
The name Tonto came from "The Outstanding New Telecoms Opportunity." A special adapter was added to the Tonto later. This allowed it to connect to mainframe computers or data networks. This meant the Tonto could act like a VT100 terminal.
The ComputerPhone
The ComputerPhone was the OPD's name in Australia and New Zealand. It was made for the "office automation" market. This meant it aimed to combine computing and phone technology. It supported both voice calls and data. The OPD was seen as the first device of its kind. It was designed to help managers who used old paper methods. Managers had busy jobs with meetings, calls, and research.
The ComputerPhone tried to fit between simple phones and more advanced workstations. It was marketed as an "executive" workstation in Australia. In New Zealand, it was aimed more at middle management. Advertisements highlighted its phone features, office programs, calculator, and electronic messaging.
MegaOPD
A more powerful version of the OPD was made in small numbers. This version was for the United States market. It had a faster CPU and more memory (256 KB). It also had an RS-232 port and improved software. The phone answering feature on this version had a female voice with a slight New Jersey accent.
Its Lasting Impact
ICL was a popular supplier for local governments in the UK. So, many OPDs ended up on the desks of council officers. Because they were expensive, only the most senior officers received them. Often, these officers were older and not very interested in computers. They usually had secretaries to handle their office work. So, many OPD devices were simply used as fancy telephones.
