If it is indeed the same machine as GEM 1000 and CCE MC-1000, it didn't have a space
bar, but a space
key instead. Check out the right bottom key below:
I wonder why the reporter was so baffled. ZX-80, ZX-81 and ZX-Spectrum all made a lot of success with a mere space key too. Maybe having a space bar instead of a space key was a minimum standard in the U.S. market at the time?
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Evidences that it is (basicly) the same machine:
- GEM 1000 is pictured with TWO different (though very similar) cases in old-computers.com — one similar to MC-1000's, the other similar to RX83's. The "rubberized keyboard" seems to be the same on all three machines.
- The cables connected to the RX83 in the picture are exactly where they would be on a MC-1000 connected to power supply (back), TV (right) and tape recorder (left), with a memory expansion pack (back).
- It was presented with a "Music Composer program which shows four standard staffs of music with notes during playback". MC-1000 was shipped with a tape which had a program called "Music Composer" whose playback screen is just like that.
- Hardware seems to be the same: "Z80A"; "uppercase only", "eight colors", "resolution of 256 x 192 pixels" (MC6847?); "sound on three channels" (AY-3-8912?).
Features that don't seem to match (due to reporter being misinformed?): [...]