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Info for trs80m3


====== Tandy/Radio Shack TRS-80 Model III (1981) ======




===== Features =====

* CPU: Zilog Z80 then Z80A 2.03 MHz
* RAM: 16 KB (up to 48 KB)
* ROM: 14 KB
* Text Modes: 32 or 64 columns x 16 lines
* Graphic Modes: 128 graphic characters
* Colors: monochrome
* I/O Ports: Tape (500 or 1500 bauds), Centronics, RS232
* Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard with separated numeric keypad
* Built In Media: Zero, one or two 5.25" disk-drives.
* OS: TRS DOS (other OSes were available : New DOS, LDOS, MultiDOS, ...)
* Built In Language: TRS-80 Level II BASIC
* Peripherals: Various Tandy peripherals



===== Known Issues =====

Notice that this system is a TESTDRIVER, i.e. it's not included in the pre-compiled MESS you find at mess.org -- http://www.mess.org/.



===== History and Trivia =====

The model 3 is generally regarded as the successor to the Model 1. Its two 5.25" floppy disk drives could convert model 1 disks.

Initially Radio Shack wanted to sell both the model 1 and 3 at the same time, but the FCC forced them to stop selling model 1. Is so they were discontinued because of the excessive radio noise that they put out.

However, the Model 3 wasn't FULLY compatible with the model 1. There were differences in ROM which meant some programs had to be converted, especially those machine language ones that made ROM calls.

== Model III configurations ==

(info by Dave Thompson): TRS-80 Model III was sold in multiple configurations. No hardrive configurations included: Model III with Level 1 ROM, 8k RAM sold for US$799. Model III with Level 2 ROM, 16k RAM sold for $999. The first floppy drive cost $849, and could store 168k. The second drive was cheaper, and could store more. The price difference is due to the first one included the drive controller. The increased space on the second drive (189k) was due to the first drive must also contain some TRS-DOS (the operating system).

//(info from old-computers.com)//



===== Links =====

* Ira Goldklang's Page -- http://www.trs-80.com/
* Timm Mann's TRS-80 Page -- http://www.tim-mann.org/trs80.html
* TRS-80 Model III at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=18



===== Other Emulators =====

* David Keil's TRS-80 Model III/4 Emu -- http://discover-net.net/~dmkeil/trs80/model1.htm
* Jeff Vavasour's TRS-80 Model III/4 Emu -- http://www.vavasour.ca/jeff/trs80.html#model4
* TRS32 -- http://www.arrowweb.com/mkr/




Generated on Sun Jul 19 10:17:28 2009