31 Jan
1999
31 Jan
'99
11:51 a.m.
Paul Braun wrote:
Hi, group.
I'm going to be putting up my annual exhibit at the local library and I need some
help with my facts so I don't screw anything up.
I have two display cases to work with. One will be tracing the development of
the portable pc, and will include the usual Compaq Sewing Machine, a Compaq
III, and a Compaq LTE286; a Kaypro II, an Osborne, a Mac Portable (non-
backlit), IBM Convertible, and a Tandy M200 and Pocket Computer. (I'm really
trying to get an M100, but all the reporters I know who still use them would
rather have their fingers removed first before they'd give 'em up.......)
Can anyone give me the original release dates and some tech specs on the
200 and the Pocket? The 200 has the parallel printer card, the external floppy
drive, all the books, and several floppies with stuff on them. The Pocket is the
original model, and has software, all the docs, the original boxes, the original
carrying case, RS-232 interface and the neat little color plotter/printer.
The first TRS-80 Pocket Computer, AKA the PC-1, was announced along
with the TRS-80 Model 3 and the Color Computer (I) in 1980, I think
about August 3rd, the third anniversary of the orginal TRS-80 later
called the Model One.
The Model 200 showed up in 1985, I'm pretty sure the first half -- I
didn't pay that much attention as it didn't impress me the way that
the original 100 did (though it didn't underwhelm me the way the 102
did about the same time). There was a printer port built into the
200 from before its birth, no add-on card was required.
I've got four 100s, I could rent you one. I can understand how those
reporters are attached to them, I probably delivered 500 of them to
the Los Angeles Times. Other RSCCs got the News and the Register,
but I was the one in downtown LA. Pity I was just the CSR, so I
didn't get any commission on the sales.
During the '84 Olympics in LA, there was a severe run on AA batteries.
Apparently reporters from all over the place were carrying the things.
(I hardly ever left LA County that year. How would I know who else
was selling the things -- Fort Worth never released the numbers?)
--
Ward Griffiths <mailto:gram@cnct.com> <http://www.cnct.com/home/gram/>
WARNING: The Attorney General has determined that Alcohol, Tobacco,
and Firearms can be hazardous to your health -- and get away with it.