Sharp PC-1211
{{Infobox computing device
| name = Sharp PC-1211
| title =
| aka =
| logo =
| image = Sharp pc1211.png
| caption = Sharp PC-1211
| developer =
| manufacturer = Sharp Corporation
| family =
| type =
| generation = First
| releasedate = {{Start date and age|1980|03}}
| lifespan =
| price =
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| os =
| power = four MR44 1.35 V Mercury button cells
| soc =
| cpu = SC43177/SC43178 processors at 256 kHz
| memory = three TC5514P 4 Kbit RAM modules
| storage =
| memory card =
| display = 24 digit dot matrix LCD
| graphics =
| sound =
| input = Full QWERTY-style keyboard
| controllers =
| camera =
| touchpad =
| connectivity =
| currentfw =
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| predecessor =
| successor = Sharp PC-5000
| related = Sharp PC-1500
Sharp PC-1251
| website =
}}
The Sharp PC-1211 is the first pocket computer ever released, marketed by Sharp Corporation in March 1980.{{cite journal | last=Hayes | first=Frank | date=December 16, 2002 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/216103610/ | title=The Story So Far | work=Computerworld | publisher=IDG Publications | volume=36 | issue=51 | page=28 | via=the Internet Archive}}{{cite journal | last=Barry | first=John | date=September 1, 1980 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=az4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT65 | title=Japanese Retailer Pursues U.S. Market | work=InfoWorld | publisher=IDG Publications | volume=2 | issue=15 | pages=26–27 | via=Google Books}} 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 {{val|1.35|ul=V}} Mercury button cells
- Battery life in excess of 200 hours
- 1424 program steps, 26 permanent variable locations ({{mono|A}}-{{mono|Z}} or {{mono|A$}}-{{mono|Z$}}) and 178 variables shared with program steps
- Built out of off-the-shelf CMOS components, including SC43177/SC43178 processors at {{val|256|ul=kHz}} and three TC5514P {{val|4|u=Kbit}} RAM modules
=Accessories=
- CE-121 Cassette Interface
- CE-122 Printer
{{anchor|pc1}}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.{{cite web|url=https://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=937&st=1|accessdate=2015-03-05|quote=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)|title=TRS 80 PC-1|publisher=old-computers.com}}
Sharp Calculator PC1211.jpg|Sharp PC-1211. This example exhibits a display that is failing, a very common problem with Sharp's displays of the time.
Sharp-PC-1211-001.jpg|CE-122 printer in a travel case.
TRS-80 Pocket Computer.jpg|Rebadged "TRS-80 Pocket Computer PC-1" version.
TRS80PocketComputerWithCassetteDrive.jpg|TRS-80 Pocket Computer with external cassette tape interface unit and Realistic Minisette 9
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons}}
- [http://mycalcdb.free.fr/main.php?l=0&id=1597 Sharp PC-1211] on [http://mycalcdb.free.fr MyCalcDB] (database about 1970s and 1980s pocket calculators)
- [http://www.promsoft.com/calcs www.promsoft.com/calcs] Sharp Pocket Computers
- [http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/t80ppc/index.htm Daves Old Computers - TRS-80 Pocket Computer]
- [http://www.trs-80.com/wordpress/trs-80-computer-line/pocket/ The TRS-80 Pocket Computer]
{{TRS-80 and Tandy computers}}
{{Sharp Corporation}}
{{Dynabook Inc.}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Computer-related introductions in 1980
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