RADIO SHACK Pocket Computer (PC-1)

Description

Brand: RADIO SHACK
Model: Pocket Computer (PC-1)
Type: BASIC-programmable Pocket Computer
Picture: Radio Shack Pocket Computer (PC-1)
Batteries: MR44 mercury batteries x 4
Lifetime: Introduced: 1980
Terminated: unknown
Notes: This is Radio Shack’s version of the SHARP PC-1211 Pocket Computer. For a description of its capabilities, please refer to that model.

A peculiarity of this specific specimen is what it says on its back. This Pocket Computer was apparently a gift at or a souvenir of the IBM DP Recognition Event 1980 (held in Edinburg in 1981). It also has the name of (one of) its previous owner(s) engraved in italics: Ike Quelle.

Radio Shack TRS-80 Pocket Computer (PC-1) Display Something peculiar to this calculator, to distinguish between the "0" and the "O" it is not the zero that looks different, instead the letter Oh has an extra detail top right. As one can see this LCD is starting to deteriorate. There is already a dark spot top right. There are replacement LCD’s available, please refer to the page on the SHARP PC-1211 for more information. I’m glad I now have a scan of this Pocket Computer with its original LCD in a not too bad shape.

I still remember the day when I saw Radio Shack’s version for the first time (in a TANDY magazine). The Radio Shack equivalent model was called the Radio Shack TRS-80 Pocket Computer (later known as the TRS-80 PC-1). I still remember fondly how utterly amazed I was that it was possible to create a BASIC-programmable Pocket Computer with an alphanumeric display and actually hold it in your hands! It was in the TANDY shop near my highschool, in Woensel in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. It felt like pure science fiction at the time.

For more info see this Wikipedia page.

Peripherals

Available are the CE-121 Cassette Interface cassete interface and the CE-122 ink printer with cassette interface with a built-in NiCad battery pack.