Tandy TRS-80 Model III from Radio Shack
The article focuses on the Tandy RadioShack TRS-80 Model III - a retro 1980 computer based on the Z80.
Many photos under the cut
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The first computers of this series began to be sold through the network of RadioShack stores in 1977. Model 3, which will be discussed in the review, went on sale in 1980 year.
My copy with the number 26-1062 was sold with 16 KB of memory and built-in Basic for the price of $ 999.
Marking is indicated on the case below.
The release date could not be found on the motherboard and the case, but judging by the marking of the chips, this is the end of 1981.
The previous owner expanded the memory to 48 kb and installed a controller with two drives. Memory kit and disk drives at that time cost another $ 637.
There is also an original dust cover for the computer. Computers were expensive at that time and they were cared for :).
The computer runs on an 8-bit Z80 processor with a clock speed of 2.03 MHz, has a cassette interface, a 12-inch black and white display.
Text resolution - 16 lines of 64 characters each, graphic resolution - 128x48.
Portable it can not be called, the weight of the device - 16.5 kg.
For this computer, there is also a graphics adapter High-Resolution Graphics with built-in 32 KB of video memory and a resolution of 640x240 pixels. Such a card cost 369.95
Isaac Asimov even participated in computer advertising
The popularity of the computer at the time says a large number of books on programming.
A complete list can be found at www.trs-80.com/wordpress/books
When you turn on the computer trying to boot from a floppy disk, while not writing anything on the screen, so at first it seemed that he was not working. To boot from the tape or run the built-in Basic, you need to hold down the Brake button and press Reset.
This prompt will appear and Basic will start:
Fortunately, I got a floppy disk with TRSDOS v.1.3 and a small set of programs.
Booting from a floppy disk and the work of Disk Manager are shown in the video review at the end of the article.
From time to time, the contrast and brightness controls on the computer stopped spinning, so I had to disassemble it in order to get to them. Further a series of photos of interiors:
Disassembled housing:
Motherboard:
Power supply, it is visible on the release date - the end of the 81st year. BP itself developed in 1980.
Z80 processor :
RAM. 16 KB from 8 Mostek MK4315N were installed on the production .
When expanding to 48 KB, another 16 pieces were delivered. TMS 4116-20JDL
ROM:
Kinescope 12VCLP4
Useful resources
The most complete information about the computers in this series
www.trs-80.com/wordpress
Available software
ianmav.customer.netspace.net.au/hires/hires.htm
Video game demonstration on TRS-80
gdcvault.com/play/1015922/Inspiration-from-the-Trash-The
Promotional video of the time
www.radioshackcatalogs.com/videos/1981_trs80_model3
Large archive of directories from Radio Shack
www.radioshackcatalogs.com/computer.html
My video review showing the operation of the computer.
Many photos under the cut
')
The first computers of this series began to be sold through the network of RadioShack stores in 1977. Model 3, which will be discussed in the review, went on sale in 1980 year.
My copy with the number 26-1062 was sold with 16 KB of memory and built-in Basic for the price of $ 999.
Marking is indicated on the case below.
The release date could not be found on the motherboard and the case, but judging by the marking of the chips, this is the end of 1981.
The previous owner expanded the memory to 48 kb and installed a controller with two drives. Memory kit and disk drives at that time cost another $ 637.
There is also an original dust cover for the computer. Computers were expensive at that time and they were cared for :).
The computer runs on an 8-bit Z80 processor with a clock speed of 2.03 MHz, has a cassette interface, a 12-inch black and white display.
Text resolution - 16 lines of 64 characters each, graphic resolution - 128x48.
Portable it can not be called, the weight of the device - 16.5 kg.
For this computer, there is also a graphics adapter High-Resolution Graphics with built-in 32 KB of video memory and a resolution of 640x240 pixels. Such a card cost 369.95
Isaac Asimov even participated in computer advertising
The popularity of the computer at the time says a large number of books on programming.
A complete list can be found at www.trs-80.com/wordpress/books
When you turn on the computer trying to boot from a floppy disk, while not writing anything on the screen, so at first it seemed that he was not working. To boot from the tape or run the built-in Basic, you need to hold down the Brake button and press Reset.
This prompt will appear and Basic will start:
Fortunately, I got a floppy disk with TRSDOS v.1.3 and a small set of programs.
Booting from a floppy disk and the work of Disk Manager are shown in the video review at the end of the article.
From time to time, the contrast and brightness controls on the computer stopped spinning, so I had to disassemble it in order to get to them. Further a series of photos of interiors:
Disassembled housing:
Motherboard:
Power supply, it is visible on the release date - the end of the 81st year. BP itself developed in 1980.
Z80 processor :
RAM. 16 KB from 8 Mostek MK4315N were installed on the production .
When expanding to 48 KB, another 16 pieces were delivered. TMS 4116-20JDL
ROM:
Kinescope 12VCLP4
Useful resources
The most complete information about the computers in this series
www.trs-80.com/wordpress
Available software
ianmav.customer.netspace.net.au/hires/hires.htm
Video game demonstration on TRS-80
gdcvault.com/play/1015922/Inspiration-from-the-Trash-The
Promotional video of the time
www.radioshackcatalogs.com/videos/1981_trs80_model3
Large archive of directories from Radio Shack
www.radioshackcatalogs.com/computer.html
My video review showing the operation of the computer.
Source: https://habr.com/ru/post/368909/
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