The Sharp PC-1211 is the first pocket computer ever released, marketed by Sharp Corporation in March 1980. 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

  • 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 introduced in July 1980 and 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.

  • 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.
  • Rebadged "TRS-80 Pocket Computer PC-1" version.
  • TRS-80 Pocket Computer with external cassette tape interface unit and Realistic Minisette 9
  • A TRS-80 PC-1 with printer & cassette interface and CTR-80A cassette recorder

See also

External links

  • on (database about 1970s and 1980s pocket calculators)
  • Sharp Pocket Computers