The "TRS-80 Pocket Computer" was the first pocket computer Tandy/Radio Shack distributed. Nowadays, it is often referred to as the TRS-80 PC-1, so as to differentiate it from its successor, the TRS-80 PC-2 (and following), which is a clone of the Sharp PC-1500.
The TRS-80 Pocket Computer was custom manufactured by Sharp Corporation, and is technically identical with the Sharp PC-1211 (see there for more technical information). There were some minor differences: The colour style was a bit different, with gray and black prevailing instead of brown, and of course with a Radio Shack type label; moreover, the computer came with a soft (instead of hard) protective case, and an additional Quick Reference Card.
The peripherals were - of course - the same as for the Sharp models: The cassette interface unit (Catalog Number 26-3503), and the printer and cassette interface (26-3505 ), which incorporated a single needle mechanical dot printer.
Special thanks to Roman von Wartburg and his site for information and picture.
I have my fathers Radio Shack TRS-80 Pocket Computer. I am getting new batteries for it so I can check that it works. The screen is a little cloudy- any advice on how to fix this?
Sunday 18th July 2010
Emily (New Zealand)
where did you find the ink cartridge pens for the sharp computer - #EA-850B for the CE-150 printer? Please advise, because I have not been able to find them.
Wednesday 21st March 2007
Ronnie Fillers (Greeneville, TN)
I have one of these computers--got it when I was about 12 years old....it was an "upgrade" to my TI-55 scientific calculator. I was the toast of the 7th grade until a few of my friends ended up spending thousands on the Apple ][+ :)
Wednesday 21st February 2007
Rob Sobkoviak (Earth)
NAME
TRS 80 PC-1
MANUFACTURER
Tandy Radio Shack
TYPE
Pocket
ORIGIN
U.S.A.
YEAR
1980
BUILT IN LANGUAGE
BASIC interpreter
KEYBOARD
57 keys, QWERTY calculator type with numeric key-pad
CPU
Sharp CMOS SC43177 and SC43178 (4 bits)
SPEED
256 kHz
RAM
1920 Bytes; 1424 steps / 178 memories available
ROM
11,2 kB (?)
TEXT MODES
1 line x 24 chars. (LCD screen)
GRAPHIC MODES
None
COLORS
Monochrome
SOUND
CPU controlled piezo buzzer, 1 tone with fixed frequency and duration
SIZE / WEIGHT
175 (W) x 70 (D) x 15 (H) mm / 170 g
I/O PORTS
9 pin expansion port for printer and cassette interface
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