Launched in August 1985 by Dynacom, a Brazilian video game console manufacturer, the MX-1600 was intended to compete with 8-bit microcomputers such as the Apple II, taking advantage of the success of TRS-80 Color Computer compatibles in the market, based on the excellent sales results of the Prológica CP 400 COLOR.[10]
To differentiate itself from competitors, the MX-1600 was sold with two cassette tapes containing more than one hundred games, applications and utilities, while its biggest opponent, the mentioned CP 400 COLOR, came with a single cassette tape containing only eight programs.[11]
However, sales of the MX-1600 were below expectations and production was shut down in 1986. Although it had plans to launch a MSX standard computer, Dynacom decided to focus on developing IBM PC compatible machines.[12][13]
The basic features of the Dynacom MX-1600 are similar to the TRS-80 Color Computer, yet there are some differences.
The cartridge slot was in the top right corner of the case, and as a result, cartridges were connected vertically, similar to video game consoles of the time.[5] Only cartridges manufactured or licensed by Dynacom could be used, due to their physical format being different from that of other TRS-80 Color Computer compatibles.
Dynacom also changed the input / output connectors on the MX-1600, preferring not to use standard DIN connectors. This allowed the usage of hardware (ex. joysticks) already manufactured by the company for its video game consoles
