Sharp PC-1211

Sharp pc1211

The Sharp PC-1211 is a small handheld computer that was introduced in 1980s.It is considered as one of the earliest pocket computers as it can perform calculations as well as be programmed in BASIC. It is 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.

A badge-engineered version was marketed by Radio Shack as the original model of the TRS-80 Pocket Computer line.

Technical specifications

• 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

• CE-121 Cassette Interface
• CE-122 Printer

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

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/Tandy Pocket Computer line.)^[1]

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.^[2][3]

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.

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

• 
  Sharp PC1211. This example exhibits a display that is failing.
• 
  CE-122 printer in travel case.
• 
  Rebadged "TRS-80 Pocket Computer" version.

References

1. "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)
2. "Radio Shack Pocket Computer". Retrieved 4 August 2011.
3. "TRS-80 Pocket Computer PC-1". Personal Computer Museum. Retrieved 4 August 2011.

External links

• Sharp PC-1211 on MyCalcDB (database about 1970s and 1980s pocket calculators)
• www.promsoft.com/calcs Sharp Pocket Computers
• Daves Old Computers - TRS-80 Pocket Computer
• The TRS-80 Pocket Computer