Associated Press and the TRS-80

[Marco Scholz]

This TRS-80
"February 2019 — I created this document from a collection of
memories of a particular time in my life. It is accurate to the best of
my memory, but that does not mean it is complete. Still, I think it’s
worth making public because there is almost no similar information on
the intarwebs.

If you’re here to read about the TRS-80 Model 100 computer, you will
have to slog through a lot of background information and personal
anecdotes. I didn’t write this for clicks, or popularity, or
recognition. I wrote it for my own edification. And I wrote the text of
it on a TRS-80 Model 100."

https://wayne.lorentz.me/This_TRS-80/

[Andreas Kohlbach]

Post by Marco Scholz
This TRS-80
"February 2019 — I created this document from a collection of
memories of a particular time in my life. It is accurate to the best of
my memory, but that does not mean it is complete. Still, I think it’s
worth making public because there is almost no similar information on
the intarwebs.
If you’re here to read about the TRS-80 Model 100 computer, you will
have to slog through a lot of background information and personal
anecdotes. I didn’t write this for clicks, or popularity, or
recognition. I wrote it for my own edification. And I wrote the text of
it on a TRS-80 Model 100."
https://wayne.lorentz.me/This_TRS-80/

Danke.

But I have to disagree with

| The TRS-80 Model 100 is claimed by some to be the world’s first
| portable computer. Whether that is true or not is hard to say. [...]

already. The Epson HX-20 predates the TRS-80 Model 1000 by probably a
year. Most sources I found don't mention the month of 1983 it was
released, while it's commonly accepted the Epson was released in April
1982. And both look striking similar.

There is a lot to read on https://wayne.lorentz.me/This_TRS-80/ but too
much that I would have the patience to do this. Although I love the
TRS-80 (and the Epson HX-20).

[Quadibloc]

Post by Andreas Kohlbach
The Epson HX-20 predates the TRS-80 Model 1000 by probably a
year.

Indeed. And the TRS-80 Model 100 is a modified version of another portable
computer that first came out in Japan: the NEC PC-8201A. So how could it
be the "first", when it was a modified version of one that came before?

John Savard

[Ahem A Rivet's Shot]

On Sun, 24 Jan 2021 22:43:37 -0500

Post by Andreas Kohlbach
But I have to disagree with
| The TRS-80 Model 100 is claimed by some to be the world’s first
| portable computer. Whether that is true or not is hard to say. [...]
already. The Epson HX-20 predates the TRS-80 Model 1000 by probably a
year. Most sources I found don't mention the month of 1983 it was
released, while it's commonly accepted the Epson was released in April
1982. And both look striking similar.

The Grundy Newbrain was released in 1982 after being in development
since 1978 - I took prototypes to the BBC for filming in 1980.

[Andreas Kohlbach]

Post by Ahem A Rivet's Shot
On Sun, 24 Jan 2021 22:43:37 -0500

Post by Andreas Kohlbach
But I have to disagree with
| The TRS-80 Model 100 is claimed by some to be the world’s first
| portable computer. Whether that is true or not is hard to say. [...]
already. The Epson HX-20 predates the TRS-80 Model 1000 by probably a
year. Most sources I found don't mention the month of 1983 it was
released, while it's commonly accepted the Epson was released in April
1982. And both look striking similar.

The Grundy Newbrain was released in 1982 after being in development
since 1978 - I took prototypes to the BBC for filming in 1980.

When it came to answer the question which computer will be chosen for the
BBC's literacy project? Must have been an exciting time.

Yes, I know "Micro Men" from 2009, as well as all episodes of The
Computer Programme from 1982, Making the Most of the Micro (1983) and
Micro Live (1984). Latter seems to have some lost episodes. Or some were
in so bad (VHS) quality parts are missing and the rest gives you head aches.

[Ahem A Rivet's Shot]

On Mon, 25 Jan 2021 22:43:09 -0500

Post by Andreas Kohlbach

Post by Ahem A Rivet's Shot
On Sun, 24 Jan 2021 22:43:37 -0500

Post by Andreas Kohlbach
But I have to disagree with
| The TRS-80 Model 100 is claimed by some to be the world’s first
| portable computer. Whether that is true or not is hard to say. [...]
already. The Epson HX-20 predates the TRS-80 Model 1000 by probably a
year. Most sources I found don't mention the month of 1983 it was
released, while it's commonly accepted the Epson was released in April
1982. And both look striking similar.

The Grundy Newbrain was released in 1982 after being in
development since 1978 - I took prototypes to the BBC for filming in
1980.

When it came to answer the question which computer will be chosen for the
BBC's literacy project? Must have been an exciting time.

At the time the Newbrain was chosen, it was only when Ferranti
couldn't deliver the ULAs needed to make it profitably that things went
pear shaped for Newbury Labs and the project got moved to Grundy who didn't
bother with the ULAs and put the TTL based prototype design into
production. By the time that had happened the BBC contract had been taken
away and given to Acorn on the proviso that they produced a CP/M based
version. That requirement was delegated to Torch (set up as a subsidiary of
the Climar group of conmen^Waccountants).

I worked on the Newbrain as a student and the Torch as my first job
out of college.