Radio Shack Model 100

My first -- and favorite -- laptop

Resources
The Radio Shack Model 100 is the best known of an entire family of nearly identical laptops, including the NEC PC-8201A, Olivetti M10, and the Kyocera Kyotronic 85. Tandy/Radio Shack's massive retail presence made the Model 100 the version that the average joe was most likely to encounter.

It was also, and still is, incredibly popular with journalists who loved its compactness (the size of a standard three-ring binder), exceptional battery life (about 20 hours on readily available AA batteries), ruggedness (no moving parts!), and built-in modem (with optional acoustic coupler). Another popular use, again, even today, is by hobbyists for remote monitoring, control applications and ham radio use.

The Model 100 featured a built-in version of BASIC, a simple text editor, a terminal program, and overly simplistic (to the point of being nearly useless) scheduling and address book programs. Additional software could be loaded from tape or from floppy disk (There were portable 3.5" drives, as well as a "Disk-Video Interface" which included a 5.25" drive and the ability to connect the model 100 to a television.) In addition, ROM modules could be purchased with various applications.

This is the computer that got me through college. I still use it (occasionally) to this day.

There have been a number of modern replacements -- the Alphasmart is one of the better known ones -- but none were really worth upgrading. What I have traded my model 100 for is a Handspring Visor Prism with a Targus Stowaway keyboard and WordSmith.

All text and images are copyright © 1998-2002 Roger Sinasohn
Unauthorized use or duplication is strictly prohibited.
TRS-80 Model 100 and accessories
The whole shebang: m100, hard case, slip cover, disk drive, and cables

TRS-80 Model 100
The model 100 itself

TRS-80 Portable Disk Drive
The Portable Disk Drive

Mfr: Tandy/Radio Shack
Location: Ft. Worth, Texas, USA
Model: TRS-80 Model 100
Processor: i80C85
Speed: 2.4mhz
Op. Sys: proprietary
Bits:
Internal: 8
Data: 8
RAM:
Min: 8K
Max: 32K
ROM: 32K
Input: 85 key Keyboard, Bar Code Reader
Display: 8x40 LCD
Storage:
Cassette: External
Floppy Disk: External, 100K/200K 3.5", DVI with 5.25"
Hard Disk: [none]
Ports:
Serial:
Parallel:
Keyboard:
Joystick:
Other:
Expansion: Disk/Video Interface (DVI) - 24x80 Video, up to two 5.25 floppy drives.
Introduced: 1983
Discontinued: 1985?
Cost: $1299
Physical:
Size: 8.5"x11"x2"
Weight: 3lbs (xkg)
Power:
Voltage: 6vdc
Connector:
Polarity:
Peripherals:
Notes:
replaced by slightly smaller, lighter but functionally identical model 102.
Uncle Roger's Classic Computers
Computers - Wanted - Add Info - Conduct - Awards - Resources