Sharp PC-1211


The Sharp PC-1211 is the first pocket computer ever released, marketed by Sharp Corporation in March 1980. The computer was powered by two 4-bit CPUs laid out in power-saving CMOS circuitry. One acted as the main CPU, the other dealt with the input/output and display interface. Users could write computer programs in BASIC.
A badge-engineered version of the PC-1211, the TRS-80 Pocket Computer, was marketed by Radio Shack in July 1980 as the first iteration of the TRS-80 Pocket Computer with just a marginally different look

Technical specifications

  • 24 digit dot matrix LCD
  • Full QWERTY-style keyboard
  • Integrated beeper
  • Connector for printer and tape drive
  • Programmable in BASIC
  • Uses four MR44 Mercury button cells
  • Battery life in excess of 200 hours
  • 1424 program steps, 26 permanent variable locations and 178 variables shared with program steps
  • Built out of off-the-shelf CMOS components, including SC43177/SC43178 processors at and three TC5514P RAM modules

Accessories

TRS-80 Pocket Computer ("PC-1")

A badge-engineered version of the Sharp PC-1211 was introduced in July 1980 and marketed by Radio Shack as the original TRS-80 Pocket Computer. This was later referred to as the "PC-1" to differentiate it from subsequent entries in the TRS-80 Pocket Computer line.