TRS-80 PC-3 Pocket Computer
Released:June 1983
Price:US $99.95
Weight:3.8 ounces
CPU:SC 61860
RAM:4K (1.4K user)
Ports:none
Display:24 X 1 text LCD display
Power:'button' batteries
Storage:Optional audio cassette
Peripherals:Optional printer
OS:BASIC in ROM











Truly a shirt-pocket-sized, fully-functional programmable computer, the TRS-80 PC-3 was actually built by Sharp and is nearly identical to the Sharp PC-1251 of 1982.

As the successor to the PC-1 and PC-2, the PC-3 is the smallest and lightest of the early TRS-80 pocket computers.
For additional capabilities, the printer/cassette interface can be attached. It has a 24 characters-per-line thermal printer, a cassette input/output interface, and internal rechargeable batteries which also supply power to the computer, extending the life of the PC-3 batteries.




Since the TRS-80 pocket computers are really re-badged Sharp pocket computers, the TRS-80 units work well with the Sharp peripherals. Seen here is the TRS-80 PC-3 installed in the Sharp CE-125 Docking Station, with built-in Micro-Tape drive and Printer.




Related Links

  • PC-3 from the Obsolete Computer Museum
  • Sharp Pocket Computer PC-1251 Resource Page

    • History of the Radio Shack Computers

    • 1921: - Radio Shack begins as a one-store retail and mail-order company catering to ham operators and electronics buffs.
    • 1963: - Charles Tandy buys the chain of stores, and within two years turned a $4 million dollar loss into a $20 million dollar profit.
    • 1977: August - Radio Shack announces the TRS-80 Model I microcomputer for US$600.
    • 1977: September - One month after launching the TRS-80, 10,000 are sold.
    • 1979: May - Tandy/Radio Shack announces the TRS-80 Model II.
    • 1979: October - Radio Shack begins shipping the TRS-80 Model II to users.
    • 1980: July - Radio Shack introduces the TRS-80 Model III, priced from US$700 to US$2500.
    • 1980: July - Radio Shack introduces the TRS-80 Color Computer, and sells for US$400.
    • 1980: July - Radio Shack introduces the TRS-80 Pocket Computer. Price is US$230.
    • 1981: January - Radio Shack ceases production of the TRS-80 Model I, and recalls units from the US market, due to failure to meet new FCC radio-frequency interference regulations.
    • 1982: January - Radio Shack introduces the TRS-80 Model 16, with 8-inch floppy drives, and optional 8-MB hard drive.
    • 1982: January - Radio Shack introduces the TRS-80 Pocket Computer, Model PC-2, for US$280.
    • 1983: March - Radio Shack announces its TRS-80 Model 100 portable computer. Price is US$799 for 8KB version, to US$1134 for the 32KB version.
    • 1983: May - Radio Shack introduces the TRS-80 Model 4, for US$2000.
    • 1983: June - Radio Shack introduces the TRS-80 PC-3, for US$99.95.
    • 1983: October - Tandy/Radio Shack announces the "transportable" TRS-80 Model 4P, for US$1800.
    • 1983: Radio Shack introduces the TRS-80 Pocket Computer, Model PC-4, replacing the PC-1, for US$70.
    • 1983: Tandy releases the TRS-80 Model 2000, which uses the Intel 80186 microprocessor.
    • 1983: Radio Shack unveils the TRS-80 Model 12 at the CP/M '83 Show. Price is US$3200.
    • 1985: March - Radio Shack introduces the Tandy 6000 multiuser system. It features Z80A and 68000 processors, 512 KB RAM, 80x24 text, graphics, 1.2-MB 8-inch disk, optional 15 MB hard drive, TRS-DOS, or XENIX 3.0. It supports up to 9 users.
      Source: Chronology of Events in the History of Microcomputers



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