Thomas.Newton@cmu-cs-a.arpa (03/27/83)
The other day, I saw the new Radio Shack Model 100 computer. It is about
the size of a large book, and has these features:
- full size keyboard (feels like an adapted Model III keyboard)
with several function keys
- 40 characters by 8 line LCD display, which you tilt with a little
knob on the side to adjust for your position
- 24K of RAM standard, expandable to 32K.
- Built-in programs: BASIC, a text editor, a terminal program,
a scheduler, and a address list.
- Built-in modem (you connect it to the phone jack with a $20 cable)
It even looks up names from an address list and dials the number!
- Centronics-style printer port (but with a special connector, so you
need to buy another cable...) and RS-232 port on the back panel. On
the side is a jack for a barcode reader (software/wand yet to come).
The computer runs off 4 "AA" batteries with two rechargables to preserve
the contents of memory when the power is off. If you remove the "memory"
batteries, the computer won't operate.
The BASIC is very nice -- it looks like a full Microsoft BASIC, a mix
between Level II and Extended Color Computer BASICs. I don't know if
it has PRINT USING, but it does have graphics commands to plot a point
or draw a line, a SOUND command (one tinny voice through a speaker),
and error/interrupt trapping (ON ERR GOTO, ON KEY GOTO, and ON FCN GOTO).
The price is $995. This is $200 more than the Epson and it doesn't include
a printer. On the other hand, the large screen actually looks usable. The
whole computer weighs about three pounds.
-- Thomas Newton