1. What Was the TRS-80?

The TRS-80 was one of the earliest mass-produced personal computers, released by Tandy Corporation through Radio Shack in 1977. It was part of the famous “1977 Trinity” of early PCs, alongside the Apple II and Commodore PET. The TRS-80 combined a Zilog Z80 processor, keyboard, and monitor into a compact all-in-one unit — ideal for schools, hobbyists, and small businesses.

With its monochrome display and built-in BASIC interpreter, it was a key player in the early personal computing revolution.

2. Key Features of the TRS-80

• Zilog Z80 CPU: ran at 1.77 MHz, giving the machine its name (Tandy Radio Shack Z80).
• Monochrome CRT monitor: 64x16 text display, later models supported basic graphics modes.
• Built-in Level I/II BASIC: allowed users to write and run programs directly from boot.
• External cassette or floppy drives: stored programs and data using standard audio cassettes or 5.25" disks.
• Modular design: could be expanded with printers, joysticks, and memory upgrades.

3. Software and Educational Use

• Thousands of programs: including business software, educational tools, and early games.
• Popular titles: Temple of Apshai, TRS-80 Space Invaders, SuperNova, Dungeons of Daggorath.
• Widespread in schools: many institutions used TRS-80s for programming and typing classes.

4. Legacy and Preservation

The TRS-80 helped define the concept of the home computer. Its open architecture and community of BASIC programmers made it a stepping stone into computing for many. Today, it's cherished by vintage computer collectors and emulation enthusiasts.

• Collector appeal: original Model I, III, and 4 systems are prized by retro PC fans.
• Preserved via emulators: tools like TRS32 and MAME keep software accessible.
• Part of the PC origin story: a major player in bringing computing to the masses in the late '70s.