Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!csd4.csd.uwm.edu!srcsip!tcnet!nis!dicome!uci!clay From: clay@uci.UUCP (News Administrator) Newsgroups: comp.sys.misc Subject: Re: TRS-80 Questions Summary: Ah, the TRS-80, now them was the days... Message-ID: <174@uci.UUCP> Date: 17 Aug 89 01:58:39 GMT References: <8908102238.AA12720@lognet2.af.mil> Organization: Unified Communications Inc., Minneapolis Lines: 36 > The Model 1 TRS-80 was a small piece of TRASH that offered a Z-80 > computer with limited I/O - tape drive was most common, ... As soon as you added disks, and ran as OS that wasn't Tandy's, the TRS-80 Model I was a useful beast. Actually, I have an LNW-80 up in my attic (4mhz, CP/M capable, better disk interface,etc.) This was the first, or at least an early, clone. > There was a Model II computer that didn't last long, but I can't quite recall what it was, or the changes that made it Model II. The Model II was aimed at business computing. It had built-in 8" disk drives. Did this one have a 68K in it , too? I forget... > > Model III was the HULKING giant that introduced disk drive options > IN unit, and a nice expensive upgrade available for HIRES graphics, although by todays standards, these should be called LORES. > > I believe the Model IV was their only REAL contribution to the computer > world, and {we are still dealing with a HEFTY price tag, and a small > lack of consideration for miniaturization. To look at the discrete logic on those old boards is really something. Good prices on Tandy gear and accessories could be had from a number of third parties, just like today's PC clone gear. > Basically, I wouldn't repair it..I would try to offload it on a > electronic hobbyist hard up for parts., > [D > Rich > I have to agree. But, I remember the laughing at the IBM PC when it first came out, as my LNW could run rings around it, had a bug-free, flexible DOS (NEWDOS, DOS+, LDOS), and loads of software for it. Maybe this should move the nostalgia section of comp.arch... Clay -- Clayton Haapala ...!mmm!dicome!uci!clay Unified Communications Inc. 3001 Metro Drive - Suite 500 "Revenge is better than Christmas" Bloomington, MN 55425 -- Elvira