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{{Infobox computing device
'''Sharp PC-1211''' is a small [[handheld computer]], also marketed as Tandy TRS-80 PC1.
| 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 =
| discontinued =
| unitssold =
| unitsshipped =
| media =
| 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 =
| platform =
| service =
| dimensions =
| weight =
| topgame =
| compatibility=
| predecessor =
| successor = [[Sharp PC-5000]]
| related = [[Sharp PC-1500]]<br>[[Sharp PC-1251]]
| website = <!--{{URL|example.org}}-->
}}
The '''Sharp PC-1211''' is the first [[pocket computer]] ever released, marketed by [[Sharp Corporation]] in March 1980.<ref name=cw>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> The computer was powered by two [[4-bit computing|4-bit]] [[CPU]]s 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 program]]s 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==
==Technical specifications==
*24 digit dot matrix LCD
*24 digit [[dot matrix]] [[LCD]]
*Full QWERTY-style keyboard
*Full [[QWERTY]]-style keyboard
*Integrated beeper
*Integrated beeper
*Connector for printer and tape drive
*Connector for printer and tape drive
*Programmable in BASIC
*Programmable in [[BASIC]]
*Uses four 1.5v button cells
*Uses four [[MR44]] {{val|1.35|ul=V}} Mercury button cells
*Battery life in excess of 200 hours
*Battery life in excess of 200 hours
*1424 program steps, 26 permanent variable locations (A-Z) and 178 variables shared with program steps
*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 256Khz and three TC5514P 4Kbit RAM modules
*Built out of off-the-shelf [[CMOS]] components, including SC43177/SC43178 processors at {{val|256|ul=kHz}} and three TC5514P {{val|4|u=[[kilobit|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 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]].)<ref name='oc_pc1'>{{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}}</ref>

Introduced in July 1980, the "PC-1" measured 175 × 70 × 15&nbsp;mm and weighed 170 g, and had a one-line, 24-character alphanumeric [[Liquid crystal display|LCD]].<ref name=OldC-RSpc>{{cite web|title=Radio Shack Pocket Computer|url=http://oldcomputers.net/trs80pc1.html|accessdate=4 August 2011}}</ref><ref name=PCM-pc-1>{{cite web|title=TRS-80 Pocket Computer PC-1|url=http://www.pcmuseum.ca/details.asp?id=160|publisher=Personal Computer Museum|accessdate=4 August 2011}}</ref>

The TRS-80 Pocket Computer was programmable in [[BASIC programming language|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. The implementation was based on [[Palo Alto Tiny BASIC]].

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

<gallery>
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" version.
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Sharp pocket computer character sets]]

==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:Sharp pocket computers|PC-1211]]
⚫
[[Category:Sharp programmable calculators|PC-1211]]
[[Category:Computer-related introductions in 1980]]




{{microcompu-stub}}
{{microcompu-stub}}
⚫
[[Category:Pocket computers]]
⚫
[[Category:Programmable calculators]]

Latest revision as of 08:55, 17 June 2024

Sharp PC-1211
Sharp PC-1211
ManufacturerSharp Corporation
GenerationFirst
Release dateMarch 1980; 44 years ago (1980-03)
CPUSC43177/SC43178 processors at 256 kHz
Memorythree TC5514P 4 Kbit RAM modules
Display24 digit dot matrix LCD
InputFull QWERTY-style keyboard
Powerfour MR44 1.35 V Mercury button cells
SuccessorSharp PC-5000
RelatedSharp PC-1500
Sharp PC-1251

The Sharp PC-1211 is the first pocket computer ever released, marketed by Sharp Corporation in March 1980.[1][2] 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

[edit]
  • 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

[edit]
  • CE-121 Cassette Interface
  • CE-122 Printer

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

[edit]

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 Pocket Computer line.)[3]

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.[4][5]

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. The implementation was based on Palo Alto Tiny BASIC.

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

  • 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. 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.
    CE-122 printer in a travel case.
  • Rebadged "TRS-80 Pocket Computer" version.
    Rebadged "TRS-80 Pocket Computer" version.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Hayes, Frank (December 16, 2002). "The Story So Far". Computerworld. 36 (51). IDG Publications: 28 – via the Internet Archive.
  2. ^ Barry, John (September 1, 1980). "Japanese Retailer Pursues U.S. Market". InfoWorld. 2 (15). IDG Publications: 26–27 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ "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)
  4. ^ "Radio Shack Pocket Computer". Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  5. ^ "TRS-80 Pocket Computer PC-1". Personal Computer Museum. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
[edit]
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