Editing Amstrad CPC (section)

====464 plus, 6128 plus====
[[File:6128plus es.jpg|thumb|A ''6128 plus'' main unit (with Spanish keyboard layout)]]
The ''464 plus'' and ''6128 plus'' models were intended as "more sophisticated and stylish" replacements of the CPC 464 and CPC 6128. Based on the redesigned plus hardware platform, they share the same base characteristics as their predecessors: The 464 plus is equipped with 64&nbsp;KB RAM and a cassette tape drive, the 6128 plus features 128&nbsp;KB RAM and a 3" floppy disk drive. Both models share a common case layout with a keyboard taken over from the CPC 6128 model, and the respective mass storage drive inserted in a case breakout.

In order to simplify the [[Electromagnetic compatibility|EMC]] screening process, the edge connectors of the previous models have been replaced with micro-ribbon connectors as previously used on the German Schneider CPC 6128. As a result, a wide range of extensions for the original CPC range are connector-incompatible with the 464 plus and 6128 plus. In addition, the 6128plus does not have a tape socket for an external tape drive.

The plus range is not equipped with an on-board ROM, and thus the 464 plus and the 6128 plus do not contain a firmware. Instead, Amstrad provided the firmware for both models via the [[read only memory|ROM]] extension facility, contained on the included ''Burnin' Rubber and Locomotive BASIC'' cartridge. This resulted in reduced hardware localization cost (only some select key caps and case labels had to be localized) with the added benefit of a rudimentary [[copy protection]] mechanism (without a firmware present, the machine itself could not copy a game cartridge's content).<ref name="ArnoldVSpec"/> As the enhanced ''V4'' firmware's structural differences causes problems with some CPC software directly calling firmware functions by their memory addresses, Amstrad separately sold a cartridge containing the original CPC 6128's ''V3'' firmware.<ref name="GrimwareCartridges">{{cite web|title=Amstrad System Cartridges|publisher=grimware.org|url=http://www.grimware.org/doku.php/documentations/hardware/amstrad.cartridge.released|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100201131141/http://www.grimware.org/doku.php/documentations/hardware/amstrad.cartridge.released|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 February 2010|access-date=22 March 2010}}</ref>

Both the 464 plus and the 6128 plus were introduced to the public in September 1990. Initial suggested retail prices were {{GBP|229}}/{{currency|1990|code=FRF}} with a monochrome monitor and {{GBP|329}}/{{currency|2990|code=FRF}} with a colour monitor for the 464 plus, and {{GBP|329}}/{{currency|2990|code=FRF}} with a monochrome monitor and {{GBP|429}}/{{currency|3990|code=FRF}} with a colour monitor for the 6128plus.<ref>Paris in the Spring, ''Amstrad Action'' Issue 60, September 1990, P. 34-36</ref>