will (04/19/83)
Well, here it is...the important stuff from Computers & Electronics'
review of Radio Shack's PC-100 portable computer.
Display: 40-character lines, 8 lines; LCD display.
Keyboard: Standard QWERTY with 16 function and control keys.
Powered by an 8-bit, 80C85 CPU, a CMOS version of the 8085 CPU.
(Why not Z80? The 80C85 was the only CMOS microprocessor that had
multiple sources of supply.)
Available with either 8K or 24K of CMOS memory, expadable to 32K with
8K memory modules. Operating system & BASIC are in the ROM, so all
of the RAM is used for programs and data. The CMOS memory is kept
energized by NiCd batteries so its content is not lost when the
computer is off.
It has a built-in direct-connect, auto-dial modem that can also be used
as an automatic dialer to store hundreds of telephone numbers.
It can interface with any printer or any other Radio Shack computer.
The built-in operating system includes an address program, a schedule
program, and a word processor and text editor. Who could ask for anything
more? [Well, I could think of quite a bit, but no comment.]
The LCD flat screen has a viewing-adjustment dial on the left side of
the case. It lightens or darkens the display, something old LCD screens
couldn't do.
In addition to the regular keyboard, 16 extra keys line the top. They
are 8 functions keys (F1 thru F8), four command keys (PRINT, LABEL,
PASTE, and PAUSE) and 4 cursor movement keys.
The keyboard also has CTRL, TAB, CAPS LOCK, SHIFT [I should hope so!],
ENTER [I should really hope so!!], BKSP (Bakcspace), and DEL. The
kayboard can also act as an 8-key numberic keypad when the NUM key
is pressed. [Oops...that's 10 key, not 8 key.]
The GRAPH key is pressed in conjunction with another key to display
one of 41 special graphics characters. Pressing the SHIFT and then
GRAPH keys, followed by another kay, provides 32 additional 'block'
graphics characters.
More characters can be generated with the CODE key. The model 100 is
good in that it can generate all of the 256 ASCII character set from
the keyboard.
An RS232(DB25) connector on the rear panel provides serial interfacing
to a modem, etc. It can be hooked up to another TRS-80 comp with a
simple null modem.
The printer interface connector is a Centronics type, so it can interface
to any Radio Shack printer.
Besides the originate/answer modem, there is a DIN connector on the
rear panel to connect the Model 100 Direct Connect Modem Cable (RS 26-
1410) to the computer.
Data and programs can be saved with a cassete recorder. A DIN connecter
is provided on the rear panel for the cable connection. The standard
TRS-80 cassete cable is used.
An acoustic modem can be used as well, in either originate or answer mode.
The connector is a "D" connector for a Bar Code Reader (more about this
later).
The power on/off switch is located next to the connector for the external
power supply.
Four AAA alkaline batteries power the computer when the external power
supply is not used. The NiCd batteries are recharged from the external
power supply when it is plugged in, or from the AAA batteries. A switch
prevents the NiCd batteries from being recharged when not needed.
There is a low-battery indicator lamp on the front to warn you of low
power in the AAA batteries. They last about 20 hours.
There is a ROM socket to install additional ROM-based programs. There
is also a socket to extend the 40-pin bus of the computer. This may
be connected to an extension box thru a special cable. No official word
yet on what the expansion unit will contain.
[The author here begins to elaborate on the tremendous expansion
possibilities and how to run your fictional disk drive. Moving right along..]
When turned on, the computer presents you with some choices and information:
it lists BASIC, TEXT, TELECOM, ADDRSS, SCHEDL. (The built-in application
programs.) Next come 4 columns listing the programs stored in the
mamory. Now it prompts you with "SELECT:" and tells you how much memory
you are free to use.
The cursor is a shaded area that is moved with the arrow keys; it is
placed over your selection and you press ENTER. [Hmm.]
You can set the time and date, which the computer will update for you
every time it is turned on (unless you have turned off the NiCd cells).
The Text program is a word processor/text editor that uses all 8
Function keys. It moves to the next line after 40 characters have
been typed, unless ENTER is pressed where a paragraph break is wanted.
The print width is selectable fom 1 to 132 columns, so don't worry
about the 40 character lines too much. The program includes CUT,
PASTE, and COPY (all single-key functions) and "has all the features
usually found in a large word-processing program, including global
search and replace and block move." The files can be saved on tape
or in a TRS-80 disk system.
SCHEDL uses a file ('NOTE.DO') created using TEXT. Once again the
function keys are used.
ADDRSS is supposed to be a great program. [No details given.]
TELECOM has 2 modes: Entry, for dialing numbers for you or itself,
and Terminal, for tying it into larger systems. Entry can only
be used with a special cable. Terminal mode includes logging on
for you after it dials. Acoustic cups are available for hard-
wired phones and a Null Modem is optional for use in comp-to-comp
communications.
[The author reccomends the terminal abilities of the PC-100 over
the Panasonic Link, the IXO, and the Epson HX-20, but does not especially
care for any of them for this use.]
"I do not have to say much about the omnipresent Microsoft BASIC,
except that it is there in ROM and it works like any TRS-80 BASIC
(except for disk commands). It can be saved to a cassette or a RAM
file."
Basically, this guy likes it a lot. He is especially thrilled with
the expansion capabilities for the future.
I hope you appreciate my cramming this all in here...if you don't,
I won't bother again. (You can tell I'm in a bad mood...this file
got deleted twice already tonight while I was typing it in.)
Will