Pocket Computer and Printer [TRS-80 PC3]
Maker and role
Radio Shack, Manufacturer
Sharp Corporation, Manufacturer
See full details
Object detail
Accession number
2020.40
Maker
Production period
Description
Radio Shack TRS-80 PC3 Pocket Computer and Printer/Cassette Interface.
Part 1: Blue, rectangular cardboard box. The box opens along the top edge with several folded components. On the lid is an image of the computer with white text, "Printer & Cassette Interface / for TRS-80 Pocket Computer / Model PC-3". In the top left-hand corner is black text, "Radio Shack", and in the top right-hand corner the text, "Cat. No. 26-3591 / Computer / Not / Included". This text is repeated on two of the sides of the box. The remaining two sides have additional text, "24 column thermal printer Built-in rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries / Includes cassette interface Includes AC adapter/charger". On the bottom of the box is the text, "Custom Manufactured in Japan for Radio Shack, A Division of Tandy Corporation". There are two small stickers on the inside lid. A white sticker reads, "11 A3", a silver sticker reads, "C100973X".
Part 2: Black and silver, rectangular pocket computer and printer. On the left-hand side of the computer is a perforated metal edge with a plastic covering. Beneath this are two black switches with the text, "REMOTE / OFF / ON / PRINTER / OFF / ON". Next to this is a red LED light with the text, "LOW BATTERY". There is a square button with a symbol of an arrow pointing upwards. Along the front edge is silver and black text, "Radio Shack / TRS-80 / PRINTER / CASSETTE INTERFACE". On the right-hand side of the computer is a LCD screen with the text, "TANDY POCKET COMPUTER PC-3 / AUTO-OFF/PERMANENT MEMORY". Next to this is a black switch with the text, "ON / RSV / PRO / RUN / OFF". Below this is a keyboard and calculator.On the right-hand edge are four ports with the text, "EAR MIC REM / TO CASSETTE ADAPTER". On the back are four circular rubber feet. Embossed is the text, "Radio Shack [...] CUSTOM MFD. IN JAPAN FOR RADIO SHACK / A DIVISION OF TANDY CORPORATION". Beneath "C100973X"" is engraved. Below is a white sticker which reads, "11 A3".
Part 3: Black, two-pronged, AC Adapter. On the front in silver text is, "CASIO / AD - 4145 / A.C. ADAPTER / [...] / MADE IN N.Z.". Embossed on the back is the text, "INPUT 230V-240V-50HZ / MADE IN N.Z.". Attached is a black cable with a singular prong at the end.
Part 4: White paper on blue plastic roll.
Part 1: Blue, rectangular cardboard box. The box opens along the top edge with several folded components. On the lid is an image of the computer with white text, "Printer & Cassette Interface / for TRS-80 Pocket Computer / Model PC-3". In the top left-hand corner is black text, "Radio Shack", and in the top right-hand corner the text, "Cat. No. 26-3591 / Computer / Not / Included". This text is repeated on two of the sides of the box. The remaining two sides have additional text, "24 column thermal printer Built-in rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries / Includes cassette interface Includes AC adapter/charger". On the bottom of the box is the text, "Custom Manufactured in Japan for Radio Shack, A Division of Tandy Corporation". There are two small stickers on the inside lid. A white sticker reads, "11 A3", a silver sticker reads, "C100973X".
Part 2: Black and silver, rectangular pocket computer and printer. On the left-hand side of the computer is a perforated metal edge with a plastic covering. Beneath this are two black switches with the text, "REMOTE / OFF / ON / PRINTER / OFF / ON". Next to this is a red LED light with the text, "LOW BATTERY". There is a square button with a symbol of an arrow pointing upwards. Along the front edge is silver and black text, "Radio Shack / TRS-80 / PRINTER / CASSETTE INTERFACE". On the right-hand side of the computer is a LCD screen with the text, "TANDY POCKET COMPUTER PC-3 / AUTO-OFF/PERMANENT MEMORY". Next to this is a black switch with the text, "ON / RSV / PRO / RUN / OFF". Below this is a keyboard and calculator.On the right-hand edge are four ports with the text, "EAR MIC REM / TO CASSETTE ADAPTER". On the back are four circular rubber feet. Embossed is the text, "Radio Shack [...] CUSTOM MFD. IN JAPAN FOR RADIO SHACK / A DIVISION OF TANDY CORPORATION". Beneath "C100973X"" is engraved. Below is a white sticker which reads, "11 A3".
Part 3: Black, two-pronged, AC Adapter. On the front in silver text is, "CASIO / AD - 4145 / A.C. ADAPTER / [...] / MADE IN N.Z.". Embossed on the back is the text, "INPUT 230V-240V-50HZ / MADE IN N.Z.". Attached is a black cable with a singular prong at the end.
Part 4: White paper on blue plastic roll.
Brief History
This pocket computer represents the most portable end of the range of microcomputers available in New Zealand in the early 1980s. The Tandy TRS-80 pocket computer was made by Sharp and available both as a Sharp product or a Tandy/Radio Shack-branded product.
Sharp made the first pocket computer in 1980, the Sharp PC-1211. This model, the TRS-80 PC-3, was released in 1983 and, like the first model, was programmed with the BASIC computer language. The user could run computer programmes and programme their own using BASIC with a flick of a switch from “Run” to “Pro.”
Sharp made the first pocket computer in 1980, the Sharp PC-1211. This model, the TRS-80 PC-3, was released in 1983 and, like the first model, was programmed with the BASIC computer language. The user could run computer programmes and programme their own using BASIC with a flick of a switch from “Run” to “Pro.”
Marks
Printer & Cassette Interface / for TRS-80 Pocket Computer / Model PC-3 Printed
Radio Shack / Cat. No. 26-3591 / Computer / Not / Included Printed
24 column thermal printer Built-in rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries / Includes cassette interface Includes AC adapter/charger Printed
Custom Manufactured in Japan for Radio Shack, A Division of Tandy Corporation Printed
11 A3 Sticker
C100973X Sticker
REMOTE / OFF / ON / PRINTER / OFF / ON Printed
LOW BATTERY Printed
Radio Shack / TRS-80 / PRINTER / CASSETTE INTERFACE Printed
TANDY POCKET COMPUTER PC-3 / AUTO-OFF/PERMANENT MEMORY Printed
ON / RSV / PRO / RUN / OFF Printed
EAR MIC REM / TO CASSETTE ADAPTER Printed
Radio Shack [...] CUSTOM MFD. IN JAPAN FOR RADIO SHACK / A DIVISION OF TANDY CORPORATION Embossed
C100973X Engraved
11 A3 Sticker
CASIO / AD - 4145 / A.C. ADAPTER / [...] / MADE IN N.Z. Printed
INPUT 230V-240V-50HZ / MADE IN N.Z. Embossed
Radio Shack / Cat. No. 26-3591 / Computer / Not / Included Printed
24 column thermal printer Built-in rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries / Includes cassette interface Includes AC adapter/charger Printed
Custom Manufactured in Japan for Radio Shack, A Division of Tandy Corporation Printed
11 A3 Sticker
C100973X Sticker
REMOTE / OFF / ON / PRINTER / OFF / ON Printed
LOW BATTERY Printed
Radio Shack / TRS-80 / PRINTER / CASSETTE INTERFACE Printed
TANDY POCKET COMPUTER PC-3 / AUTO-OFF/PERMANENT MEMORY Printed
ON / RSV / PRO / RUN / OFF Printed
EAR MIC REM / TO CASSETTE ADAPTER Printed
Radio Shack [...] CUSTOM MFD. IN JAPAN FOR RADIO SHACK / A DIVISION OF TANDY CORPORATION Embossed
C100973X Engraved
11 A3 Sticker
CASIO / AD - 4145 / A.C. ADAPTER / [...] / MADE IN N.Z. Printed
INPUT 230V-240V-50HZ / MADE IN N.Z. Embossed
Media/Materials
Record level
Collection
Credit Line
Radio Shack et al. Pocket Computer and Printer [TRS-80 PC3], 2020.40. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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