Radio Shack Pocket Computers – By Paul Lefebvre

Radio Shack was a significant player in the personal computing market during the late 1970s and early 1980s, introducing several pocket computers that catered to the growing demand for smaller computing devices. The TRS-80 Pocket Computer, launched in 1980, was one of the first of its kind, originally a rebranded Sharp PC-1211. It featured a single-line LCD display and allowed users to program in a limited version of BASIC. The TRS-80 Pocket Computer was followed by the PC-2 in 1982, which was larger and had expandable memory but was incompatible with its predecessor. The PC-3, released shortly after, was smaller, more affordable, and became the most common model. Radio Shack continued to produce various models, including the PC-4 through PC-8, which were based on designs from other manufacturers like Casio and Sharp. The pocket computers were notable for their portability and programming capabilities, appealing to tech enthusiasts despite their limitations in functionality compared to larger computers.

- Radio Shack introduced the TRS-80 Pocket Computer in 1980, marking an early entry into portable computing.

- The TRS-80 Pocket Computer series included several models, each with varying features and compatibility issues.

- The PC-3 model became the most common due to its affordability and compact size.

- The pocket computers allowed programming in BASIC, appealing to early tech enthusiasts.

- Radio Shack's pocket computers were based on designs from other manufacturers, showcasing a mix of innovation and collaboration.