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TRS-80 Model I
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TRS-80 Model I

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Also known as TRS-80 Micro Computer System, Tandy TRS-80, TRS80, Model I, Trash80

The TRS-80 Micro Computer System (TRS-80, colloquially known as the "Trash-80", later renamed the TRS-80 Model I to distinguish it from its successors) is a desktop microcomputer developed by American company Tandy Corporation and sold through their Radio Shack stores. Launched in 1977, it is one of the earliest mass-produced and mass-marketed retail home computers. The name is derived from Tandy Radio Shack Z80, referring to its Zilog Z80 8-bit microprocessor.

Key facts

Personal computer.name
TRS-80 Model III
Personal computer.logo
TRS-80 logo.svg
Personal computer.image
TRS-80 Model 3 01.jpg
Personal computer.caption
TRS-80 Model I with Expansion Interface and display
Personal computer.manufacturer
Tandy Corporation
Personal computer.type
Home and small business computer
Personal computer.lifespan
1977–1981
Personal computer.os
TRSDOS 1.3, LDOS 5
Personal computer.cpu
Zilog Z80A @ 2 MHz
Personal computer.memory
4 KB or 16, 32 or 48 KB
Personal computer.display
16 rows by 64 or 32 columns, block graphics
Personal computer.sound
output through cassette port
Personal computer.graphics
optional 640 by 240 pixels, $369 extra
Personal computer.compatibility
Model I Z80 code ~ 80% (higher with patches), BASIC 100%
Personal computer.predecessor
Model I
Personal computer.successor
Model 4

via Wikipedia infobox

~64 min read

Encyclopedic overview

30 sections
Contents
  • History
  • Development
  • Announcement
  • Delivery
  • Model II and III
  • Hardware
  • Keyboard
  • Video and audio
  • Peripherals
  • Cassette tape drive
  • Model I Expansion Interface
  • Floppy disk drives
  • Exatron Stringy Floppy
  • Hard drive
  • Printers
  • Software
  • BASIC
  • Other programming languages
  • Other applications
  • Reception
  • Compatible successors
  • Model III
  • Aftermarket products
  • Model 4{{anchor|model4}}
  • Model 100{{anchor|model100}}
  • See also
  • Notes
  • References
  • Further reading
  • External links

The TRS-80 Micro Computer System (TRS-80, colloquially known as the "Trash-80", later renamed the TRS-80 Model I to distinguish it from its successors) is a desktop microcomputer developed by American company Tandy Corporation and sold through their Radio Shack stores. Launched in 1977, it is one of the earliest mass-produced and mass-marketed retail home computers. The name is derived from Tandy Radio Shack Z80, referring to its Zilog Z80 8-bit microprocessor.

The TRS-80 has a full-stroke QWERTY keyboard, 4 KB DRAM standard memory, small size and desk area, floating-point Level I BASIC language interpreter in ROM, 64-character-per-line video monitor, and had a starting price of US$600 (equivalent to US$ in ). A cassette tape drive for program storage was included in the original package. While the software environment was stable, the cassette load/save process combined with keyboard bounce issues and a troublesome Expansion Interface contributed to the Model I's reputation as not well-suited for serious use. Initially (until 1981), it lacked support for lowercase characters which may have hampered business adoption. An extensive line of upgrades and peripherals for the TRS-80 were developed and marketed by Tandy/Radio Shack. The basic system can be expanded with up to 48 KB of RAM, and up to four floppy disk drives and/or hard disk drives. Tandy/Radio Shack provided full-service support including upgrade, repair, and training services in their thousands of stores worldwide.

Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “TRS-80 Model I” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.

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