LNW-80


The LNW-80, released in 1982, is the first computer built by LNW Research Corporation. The computer is 100% compatible with the Tandy TRS-80 Model 1, but has some hardware enhancements. Most notable are the high-resolution color graphics, which could also be used for an 80×24 screen, with a special software driver. Other enhancements were high processor speed, color support, and optionally, CP/M support. The LNW-80 was also sold as a kit.

The LNW supported four screen modes:
  • Mode 0 is the default TRS-80 screen with 64×16 characters, and 128×48 semigraphics.
  • Mode 1 is 480×192 monochrome.
  • Mode 2 uses high-resolution graphics memory to colorize the mode 0 graphics. This results in 128×48 dots with 8 colors per dot. This mode could be used to 'colorize' the standard TRS-80 games when loaded with special software.
  • Mode 3 uses low-res character memory to colorize the high-res pixels. This results in 384×192 pixels on 128×48 color fields. Per color field, a foreground and background color is selected from the basic eight colors. The colors are white, green, yellow, red, magenta, blue, blue-green and black.

    LNW Research

LNW Research started by making third party extensions for the Tandy TRS-80 Model I market. They started in 1979 with the LNW System Expansion, a D.I.Y. kit that competed with the TRS-80 Expansion Interface. The LNW-80 appeared at the end of 1980. Later, in 1981, came the LNDoubler, an adapter enbabling the use of double-density disks. 1983 saw the LNW-80 Model 2, an upgraded model of the LNW-80 which was natively capable of running CP/M. Finally, in 1984, the company introduced the LNW Team, which provided a slot for an optional Intel 8088 board for MS-DOS compatibility. The company folded due to bankruptcy later in 1984.

Reactions and Reviews

In response to a letter to the editor complaining about freezes on the TRS-80 Model I, Creative Computing's Editorial Director said: "This is a continuing problem, which we have not solved. In fact, it is the main reason that we have been converting to the LNW-80 computer for some of our in-house computing. It has yet to show the problem, while our Model I's and Model III's do lock up."
80 Microcomputing's review of the LNW-80 kit warned, "he LNW-80 is, for the most part, a well designed, fast, effective computer."
Kilobaud Microcomputing said that it "performs superbly" and that its "price and performance make it an excellent bargain."
BYTE ran a review criticizing the LNW-80 Model 2's documentation and 80x24 video driver, but praising it overall, concluding: "he LNW’s price is comparable to or better than its competition's, and its quality of construction is outstanding. Then too, it comes with as much or more software than any other 8-bit computer I know of.... It's hard to choose which one of the LNW's advantages is most important."