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 Mercury button cells
  • Battery life in excess of 200 hours
  • 1424 program steps, 26 permanent variable locations (- or -) and 178 variables shared with program steps
  • Built out of off-the-shelf CMOS components, including SC43177/SC43178 processors at and three TC5514P 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.

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File: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.

File:Sharp-PC-1211-001.jpg|CE-122 printer in a travel case.

File:TRS-80 Pocket Computer.jpg|Rebadged "TRS-80 Pocket Computer PC-1" version.

File:TRS80PocketComputerWithCassetteDrive.jpg|TRS-80 Pocket Computer with external cassette tape interface unit and Realistic Minisette 9

File:TRS80PC1.jpg|A TRS-80 PC-1 with printer & cassette interface and CTR-80A cassette recorder

</gallery>

See also

  • Sharp pocket computer character sets

References

  • 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