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Hub AI
Tandy 2000 AI simulator
(@Tandy 2000_simulator)
Hub AI
Tandy 2000 AI simulator
(@Tandy 2000_simulator)
Tandy 2000
The Tandy 2000 is a personal computer introduced by Radio Shack on November 28, 1983, at COMDEX/Fall'83. Based on the 8 MHz Intel 80186 microprocessor running MS-DOS. By comparison, the IBM PC XT (introduced in March 1983) used the older 4.77 MHz Intel 8088 processor, and the IBM PC/AT (introduced in 1984) would later use the newer 6 MHz Intel 80286. Due to the 16-bit data bus and more efficient instruction decoding of the 80186, the Tandy 2000 ran significantly faster than other PC compatibles, and slightly faster than the PC AT. (Later IBM upgraded the 80286 in new PC AT models to 8 MHz, though with wait states.) The Tandy 2000 was the company's first computer built around an Intel x86 series microprocessor; previous models used the Zilog Z80 and Motorola 6809 CPUs.
While touted as being compatible with the IBM XT, the Tandy 2000 was different enough that most existing PC software that was not purely text-oriented failed to work properly.
The Tandy 2000 and its special version of MS-DOS supports up to 768 KB of RAM, significantly more than the 640 KB limit imposed by the IBM architecture. It uses 80-track double-sided quad-density floppy drives of 720 KB capacity; the IBM standard at the time of the introduction of the Tandy 2000 was only 360 KB.
The Tandy 2000 has both "Tandy" and "TRS-80" logos on its case, marking the start of the phaseout of the "TRS-80" brand.
The introduction of IBM's Model 5150 Personal Computer in August 1981 created an entirely new market for microcomputers. Many hardware and software companies were founded specifically to exploit IBM's and Microsoft's new presence as a standard-setter for small computers, and most other established manufacturers shifted focus to it as well.
By this date Tandy/Radio Shack had been in the small-computer market for four years, since its August 1977 introduction of the TRS-80 Model I. The new computer division followed in October 1979 with the TRS-80 Model II—a high-end business-oriented system. In 1983 the TRS-80 Model 4 succeeded the Model III (which itself had replaced the Model I) in the consumer and educational markets. In the business segment the TRS-80 Model 12 and Model 16 succeeded the Model II, adding higher-end features. Thus far Tandy/Radio Shack's computer lines occupied their own niches in the market because of their proprietary system software and applications. Tandy attempted to monopolize software and peripheral sales by not offering third-party products in company stores. Until the IBM PC was introduced, the nearest thing to an industry standard in small computers was CP/M-80; no single manufacturer dominated.
By 1983 the IBM PC, and Tandy's discouraging of third-party products, had halved the company's market share and stopped profit growth. Tandy's motive for moving into the new MS-DOS domain was twofold: to capitalize on the new market, and to leverage sales opportunities afforded by their solid position in small computers. Marketing management believed that many Tandy customers would prefer to stay with Tandy products when (inevitably, it seemed) they made the jump onto the burgeoning IBM/Microsoft bandwagon; it was figured that the company was well-positioned in this regard because of its large base of customers in both the consumer and business markets (with its Z80-based TRS-80 Models I/III/4 and 68000-based Models 12 and 16, respectively). Tandy's large presence as a computer retailer, with several thousand Radio Shack stores throughout the US, was deemed an advantage as well. All other PC manufacturers, especially IBM, relied mainly on sales to corporate accounts, not consumer retail as did Tandy/Radio Shack. Thus the company would become the market leader offering the hottest new trend—affordable 16-bit computers running MS-DOS—directly to the computing public.
Therefore, Tandy would have to produce an IBM-style computer running the emerging industry-standard MS-DOS. The company decided to distinguish it from similar products by producing a better computer. The new machine would be aimed at the mid-price market between high-end consumers and low-end businesses. This was deemed prudent in order not to seriously cannibalize their current product lines serving both market segments. Most other big-name computer manufacturers made the same leap into the PC/MS-DOS market:
Tandy 2000
The Tandy 2000 is a personal computer introduced by Radio Shack on November 28, 1983, at COMDEX/Fall'83. Based on the 8 MHz Intel 80186 microprocessor running MS-DOS. By comparison, the IBM PC XT (introduced in March 1983) used the older 4.77 MHz Intel 8088 processor, and the IBM PC/AT (introduced in 1984) would later use the newer 6 MHz Intel 80286. Due to the 16-bit data bus and more efficient instruction decoding of the 80186, the Tandy 2000 ran significantly faster than other PC compatibles, and slightly faster than the PC AT. (Later IBM upgraded the 80286 in new PC AT models to 8 MHz, though with wait states.) The Tandy 2000 was the company's first computer built around an Intel x86 series microprocessor; previous models used the Zilog Z80 and Motorola 6809 CPUs.
While touted as being compatible with the IBM XT, the Tandy 2000 was different enough that most existing PC software that was not purely text-oriented failed to work properly.
The Tandy 2000 and its special version of MS-DOS supports up to 768 KB of RAM, significantly more than the 640 KB limit imposed by the IBM architecture. It uses 80-track double-sided quad-density floppy drives of 720 KB capacity; the IBM standard at the time of the introduction of the Tandy 2000 was only 360 KB.
The Tandy 2000 has both "Tandy" and "TRS-80" logos on its case, marking the start of the phaseout of the "TRS-80" brand.
The introduction of IBM's Model 5150 Personal Computer in August 1981 created an entirely new market for microcomputers. Many hardware and software companies were founded specifically to exploit IBM's and Microsoft's new presence as a standard-setter for small computers, and most other established manufacturers shifted focus to it as well.
By this date Tandy/Radio Shack had been in the small-computer market for four years, since its August 1977 introduction of the TRS-80 Model I. The new computer division followed in October 1979 with the TRS-80 Model II—a high-end business-oriented system. In 1983 the TRS-80 Model 4 succeeded the Model III (which itself had replaced the Model I) in the consumer and educational markets. In the business segment the TRS-80 Model 12 and Model 16 succeeded the Model II, adding higher-end features. Thus far Tandy/Radio Shack's computer lines occupied their own niches in the market because of their proprietary system software and applications. Tandy attempted to monopolize software and peripheral sales by not offering third-party products in company stores. Until the IBM PC was introduced, the nearest thing to an industry standard in small computers was CP/M-80; no single manufacturer dominated.
By 1983 the IBM PC, and Tandy's discouraging of third-party products, had halved the company's market share and stopped profit growth. Tandy's motive for moving into the new MS-DOS domain was twofold: to capitalize on the new market, and to leverage sales opportunities afforded by their solid position in small computers. Marketing management believed that many Tandy customers would prefer to stay with Tandy products when (inevitably, it seemed) they made the jump onto the burgeoning IBM/Microsoft bandwagon; it was figured that the company was well-positioned in this regard because of its large base of customers in both the consumer and business markets (with its Z80-based TRS-80 Models I/III/4 and 68000-based Models 12 and 16, respectively). Tandy's large presence as a computer retailer, with several thousand Radio Shack stores throughout the US, was deemed an advantage as well. All other PC manufacturers, especially IBM, relied mainly on sales to corporate accounts, not consumer retail as did Tandy/Radio Shack. Thus the company would become the market leader offering the hottest new trend—affordable 16-bit computers running MS-DOS—directly to the computing public.
Therefore, Tandy would have to produce an IBM-style computer running the emerging industry-standard MS-DOS. The company decided to distinguish it from similar products by producing a better computer. The new machine would be aimed at the mid-price market between high-end consumers and low-end businesses. This was deemed prudent in order not to seriously cannibalize their current product lines serving both market segments. Most other big-name computer manufacturers made the same leap into the PC/MS-DOS market:
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