TRS-80 is a microcomputer built by Tandy RadioShack.
Model I
Equipped with a Microprocessor Zilog Z80, given rhythm with 1,77 MHz, the first version of model I had of RAM and read-only memory. A second version was equipped with RAM and ROMANIAN. It nativement laid out in ROMANIAN of an interpreter BASIC. The “wide” BASIC of the second version was provided by Microsoft.
Its video memory of one authorized posting in text monochromic mode of 64 columns for 16 lines. A mode 32 columns/16 lines was also available. The “semigraphic” mode allowed a posting of 128x48 points (makes the site of each character of it was divided into 6 rectangles).
The basic model was provided without mass memory to direct access. The safeguards were carried out on magnetic band via a read/write drive of audio cassettes. This interface of audio input/output could be also used to wire for sound certain plays.
The mark distributed various peripherals, of which simple or double readers of diskettes 5" 1/4. These peripherals were connected on a “interface of extension” which also made it possible to carry memory RAM to on the whole.
As well as the majority of the microcomputers of this time, the central processing unit and the keyboard arised in a cast solid form. The food was a Transformateur/external Redresseur. The cooling of the central processing unit as of the food were passive, i.e. without any shape of ventilation, only of the openings allowing the air circulation.
This microcomputer was provided with a monitor specific, monochromic (green posting on black bottom).
This model having had a pretty success in the Years 1980, of many manufacturers developed various and varied extensions (sound adapters, charts colors, joystick, etc). It was then in competition with the APPLE II and the FART of Commodore. It was entitled to the sides of the APPLE II at its Trucs heading & Astuces of the review the OI ( the Personal Computer ), like with several dedicated reviews (in France, the review Trace published by the Editrace company)
Operating system
When it was equipped with diskettes, the TRS 80 was equipped by Tandy with the system TRSDOS. However, its quality was such as independent editors developed other operating systems, for example NEWDOS and LDOS. A specific version of CP/M was also adapted to the TRS 80.
The majority of these systems were not compatible with the passage of the year 1988. Indeed, the year was coded on 3 bits starting from 1980. This incompatibility was raised only with version 6.3 of LS-DOS which authorizes the dates until 2011.
Clones
There were Clone S of the TRS 80 Model I, like the Video Genius (in Europe) or the Brazilian DGT-100.
Following models
Model II
Model II, introduced in 1979, aimed at more professional customers. It integrated readers of Disquettes 8 inches. Its Microprocesseur Zilog Z80 passed to 4 MHz. It turned under TRSDOS II.
Model III
Model III, introduced in 1980, is an evolution in monobloc (keyboard/monitor/Central processing unit/readers of Disquettes 5 inches) of model I. It integrated a faster processor, the possibility of posting tiny and accentuated characters, and compatibility to the standards of electromagnetic Compatibilité of FCC.
Model 4
Model 4 (in Arab numerals), introduced in 1984, is the last evolution of this family based on the Zilog Z80. Beyond its passage to the white color of its body, it was very close to model III. It was possible to on the whole pass it to memory. It turned under a version of TRSDOS which was in fact derived from LDOS.A portable version of this product was also available: the Model 4P.
A certain quantity of this product was manufactured in France by Matra.
Model 16
Model 16 was directed professional market, as its ancestor the model II of which it had kept the body (but while passing from the gray to the white).For reasons of compatibility, it had preserved a Zilog Z80 to turn under TRSDOS, but was also equipped with a Motorola 68000 on which turned Xenix, a version Unix of Microsoft.
It was possible to associate to him an additional terminal connected by a connection RS232, which resembled a Model IV outside.
Computer Color (ColorComputer)
Called " CoCo" with the the United States, this model was clearly directed large-public and was then in competition with the Commodore 64.It was based on a Motorola 6809 and turned under OS/9. It had a certain success in particular in the United States.
See also the article dedicated to the Computer Color.
Clones
The Dragon 32 and Dragon 64 but which were in fact compatible only on the level of certain peripherals. To note that the Dragon had like peripheral a reader diskette 5,25 inches like OS/9, Operating system benefitting the maximum of the capacities of the microcomputer.There be Brazilian clones of the TRS Color, like the CP-400.
MC 10
The MC 10 was a degreased version and low price of the Computer Color. It was based on a Motorola 6803.It was manufactured in France by Matra like its clone named Alice, the difference being held on the color (white for the TRS-80, red for the Alice).
Its competitors at the time were ZX81 of Sinclair
Model 100
First range of really portable computers. It was introduced in 1983. It was about a product equipped with a screen LCD with 8 lines with 40 characters. It was manufactured by Kyocera and was equipped with a software Microsoft (including one BASIC and a text editor). It was also marketed by Olivetti and NEC.It had keys " couper" , " coller" , " copier" whose function had a great success thereafter
Its great autonomy made it rather popular to the beginning of the year 1980 in the journalists.
It was based on a Microprocesseur Intel 80C85 (8 bits).
The rumor says that it contains the last code written by Bill Gates. It is not compatible year 2000 (see Y2K).
Model 200
An evolution of Model 100 with a folding screen on the keyboard of 16 lines of 40 characters.
Model 2000
The first PC compatible of Tandy.
Pocket Computers
These products were in fact of the versions to the Tandy mark of products Casio or Sharp.- TRS-80 PC1 : Sharp PC-1211
- TRS-80 PC2 : Sharp PC-1500
- TRS-80 PC3 : Sharp PC-1251
- TRS-80 PC4 : Casio PB-100
- TRS-80 PC5 : Casio FX-785P
- TRS-80 PC6 : Casio FX-790P
- TRS-80 PC7 : Casio FX-5200P
- TRS-80 PC8 : Sharp PC-1246
External bond
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www.trs-80.com
Refer
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