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Sharp PC-1211

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Sharp PC-1211
Sharp PC-1211
ManufacturerSharp Corporation
GenerationFirst
Release dateMarch 1980; 44 years ago (1980-03)
CPUSC43177/SC43178 processors at 256 kHz
Memorythree TC5514P 4 Kbit RAM modules
Display24 digit dot matrix LCD
InputFull QWERTY-style keyboard
Powerfour MR44 1.35 V Mercury button cells
SuccessorSharp PC-5000
RelatedSharp PC-1500
Sharp PC-1251

The Sharp PC-1211 is the first pocket computer ever released, marketed by Sharp Corporation in March 1980.[1][2] The computer was powered by two 4-bit CPUs laid out in power-saving CMOS circuitry. One acted as the main CPU, the other dealt with the input/output and display interface. Users could write computer programs in BASIC.

A badge-engineered version of the PC-1211, the TRS-80 Pocket Computer (model PC-1), was marketed by Radio Shack in July 1980 as the first iteration of the TRS-80 Pocket Computer with just a marginally different look (outer plastic parts in black, not brown, gray display frame)

Technical specifications

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  • 24 digit dot matrix LCD
  • Full QWERTY-style keyboard
  • Integrated beeper
  • Connector for printer and tape drive
  • Programmable in BASIC
  • Uses four MR44 1.35 V Mercury button cells
  • Battery life in excess of 200 hours
  • 1424 program steps, 26 permanent variable locations (A-Z or A$-Z$) and 178 variables shared with program steps
  • Built out of off-the-shelf CMOS components, including SC43177/SC43178 processors at 256 kHz and three TC5514P 4 Kbit RAM modules

Accessories

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  • CE-121 Cassette Interface
  • CE-122 Printer

TRS-80 Pocket Computer ("PC-1")

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A badge-engineered version of the Sharp PC-1211 was marketed by Radio Shack as the original TRS-80 Pocket Computer. This was later referred to as the "PC-1" to differentiate it from subsequent entries (PC-2 onwards) in the TRS-80 Pocket Computer line.[3]

Introduced in July 1980, the "PC-1" measured 175 × 70 × 15 mm and weighed 170 g, and had a one-line, 24-character alphanumeric LCD.[4][5]

The TRS-80 Pocket Computer was programmable in BASIC, with a capacity of 1424 "program steps". This memory was shared with variable storage of up to 178 locations, in addition to the 26 fixed locations named A through Z. The implementation was based on Palo Alto Tiny BASIC.

Programs and data could be stored on a Compact Cassette through an optional external cassette tape interface unit. A printer/cassette interface was available, which used an ink ribbon on plain paper.

  • Sharp PC-1211. This example exhibits a display that is failing, a very common problem with Sharp's displays of the time.
    Sharp PC-1211. This example exhibits a display that is failing, a very common problem with Sharp's displays of the time.
  • CE-122 printer in a travel case.
    CE-122 printer in a travel case.
  • Rebadged "TRS-80 Pocket Computer PC-1" version.
    Rebadged "TRS-80 Pocket Computer PC-1" version.
  • TRS-80 Pocket Computer with external cassette tape interface unit and Realistic Minisette 9
    TRS-80 Pocket Computer with external cassette tape interface unit and Realistic Minisette 9

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Hayes, Frank (December 16, 2002). "The Story So Far". Computerworld. 36 (51). IDG Publications: 28 – via the Internet Archive.
  2. ^ Barry, John (September 1, 1980). "Japanese Retailer Pursues U.S. Market". InfoWorld. 2 (15). IDG Publications: 26–27 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ "TRS 80 PC-1". old-computers.com. Retrieved 2015-03-05. 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)
  4. ^ "Radio Shack Pocket Computer". Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  5. ^ "TRS-80 Pocket Computer PC-1". Personal Computer Museum. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
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