The Story of the Tandy 100, Portability Perfected in 1983 - Tandy Lab

On this Tandy Lab episode we explore the major success that was the Tandy 100 portable computer. Also known as the Micro Executive Work Station, the Tandy 100 would prove to be a major success as both a portable computer and as a rock-solid word processor.
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[@mrbrent62]

I have a Tandy model 100 and an Nec 8201. I took notes in college on one. I remember my professor telling me she had never seen anyone taking notes on a computer.

[@real1rube]

I have a Tandy 100 that was evidently used by a journalist at the "North Platte Telegraph" in Nebraska. It has several papers inside the case which includes dial-in instructions to submit news stories by modem. The first memo was dated 6/18/85 but was superseded by a new memo from the "Computer Systems Tech" at the newspaper to all "Area Writers" dated June 25, 1996! So, many years of use. The keys worn shiny on this model, but the lettering still looks great. I replaced the internal battery and it's ready for use again

[@TeddyCavachon]

I started developing printing estimating, billing and job tracking applications back in 1978 on a WANG 2200 system with 8” floppies my company had purchased as a “turn-key” printing estimating system. I went on run and develop on WANG MVP and DEC PDP11/44 systems as a one-man IT department until 1982 when I was lured back into printing management with a job offer from the US Information Agency’s overseas printing division becoming a member of the Foreign Service. USIA used WANG computers so I taught it would be a no-brainer to get one for our office to continue developing applications for estimating, billing, job tracking, inventory and accounting. But the IT bureau which controlled purchasing of all computer equipment vetoed the idea. My response to that was to go down the street to Radio Shack and spend my own money to buy a Model 100 and dot-matrix printer to program on. It was the first computer I owned personally. I carried it into work every day in the top case of the Honda GL500 “Silverwing” motorcycle I commuted to work on, why I purchased the Model 100 instead of a desktop unit. USIA had a team of reporters which created a newswire which was sent via teletype to every US Embassy and mission in the world. They loved my Model 100 when I showed it to them and before too long all of them were using them. In 1983 I was sent on my first oversea assignment as production manager of USIA’s Manila Philippine printing center and brought the Model 100 with me to start automating there. It wasn’t until 1984 that USIA finally allowed us to purchase a few IBM PCs. Starting in 1987, after an bureaucratic battle with the IT obstructionists we switched to Mac. I continued to create personal applications on my Model 100 for tasks like balancing my checkbook and word processing until 1994 when I got connected to the internet. A bit of trivia about the Model 100. Tandy hired Microsoft to develop the operating system and in a interview I saw Bill Gates mention it was the last project he personally wrote code for. The BASIC language on the Model 100 includes PEEK and POKE commands which allow viewing and writing to memory by numerical memory location. Using POKE I explored the entire memory of the system, discovering several hidden “easter eggs” including the names of some of the developers.

[@danielrjones]

We had some of these in the store when I worked at Radio Shack but they were old by that point and never sold. Overall I think they are pretty cool looking!

[@mrbrent62]

You could install a super ROM. With spreadsheet, word processor etc. I would connect to CompuServe on this. You could download software from CompuServe.

[@richardadams4928]

My 200 has a SuperROM, which was not mentioned in the eBay auction, so that was a Super nice surprise.

[@JohnDlugosz]

You mean better than the spreadsheet, word processor, etc. that came standard?

[@mrbrent62]

@@JohnDlugosz yes it was all Rom based and ran much faster. Also it would show what a document would look like before printing.

[@chrisnizer1885]

Love these old systems, their history and development. Thanks for showing them the love they deserve.

[@neatlife8049]

Very happy to find another retro computer channel and one with S-tier quality content. Well done!

[@cowetascore8476]

My first editor had one when I began my career in 1996. Still worked great.

[@richardadams4928]

I have a suitcase sized custom case for my 100, built to accommodate a printer and cable (included). I also have a Tandy branded soft case that came with a 100 and the acoustic cups, that I bought about 10 years ago for $20.

[@IrishCarney]

Hmm Tandy came out with a hard suitcase for the Model 100 too. Are you sure yours was "custom"?

[@richardadams4928]

@@IrishCarney Well, "custom" as in "designed specifically for the Model T line", not "built as a one-off". I imagine this was mass-produced by Tandy.

[@JohnDlugosz]

I had one. I can see the appeal for journalists -- the keyboard was remarkably good.

[@leeosborne3793]

I was using my Model 100 in a cafe today. When I'd finished typing, the guy sitting at the next table came and asked me lots of questions. :) I love using it for writing. The keyboard is phenomenally comfortable and quick, the screen is crisp and clear, and it's an incredibly well designed device. I really love it.

[@jacobjones9071]

This thing is pretty great to type on, having a back-lit screen would be nice though

[@leocomerford]

Even the 1989 Macintosh Portable had no backlight, though by that stage the PC laptops had them.

[@richardadams4928]

Best keyboard I ever used, bar none.

[@lovemadeinjapan]

You could retrofit a Futaba VFD panel, it has the same interface and dimensions. Gone will be your 20 hours on 4 AA cells though.

[@richardadams4928]

I have a 100, a 200, and the floppy disk unit. Awesome machines, sooo wish I'd had one way back when.

[@TheSulross]

The Model 200 is the first retro computer I acquired - it also has the Multiplan spreadsheet in ROM. Is cool how can conveniently use the full screen text editor to code BASIC programs. I'd love to see a neo-retro computer - like the Commander X16 - brought out in a portable laptop version where is based on the Model 200 form factor - it has a wonderful early to mid 80s retro look

[@Bendaak]

Fantastic video. I just ordered a Tandy 102 allegedly in pristine condition due to lack of use however I paid around 3x the cost you did for your models. Looking forward to playing around with it!

[@villatv7379]

Belieive it or not, for the past 36 years, I have had four different 800xl units, along with floppy drives for each, running 24 hours a day, handling all the payroll and accounting services for two different companies. The software was custom made for us back in 1986, and worked so well, that we still use it EVERY SINGLE DAY. Yeah we have a room full of pcs, but for accounts payable and receivable and check printing, it’s all done on the ataris. For backups we have over 10 spares of everything.

[@kendalljenkins9938]

I've still got the same Tandy 100 I got in the early 90s, and it still works great. It still has the best keyboard of any computer I've ever owned.

[@dminalba]

My school used the Tandy 100 for english class for special needs students who needed a bit of help with the folios in S grade loved this machine

[@bslprints9935]

As a kid someone who knew I liked computers gave me a book about using this computer with compuserv lol I hadn't heard of either at that time.

[@jeepsalt]

cool video I just picked up a 102. I wanted to get an apple II for learning BASIC and assembly programming but the prices are crazy. I've been using a TI-82 calculator for BASIC and the tandy is gonna be great with the real keyboard.

[@Doug_in_NC]

Apparently the most popular solution to the loud keyboard was to put the little elastic bands used by dentists to hold braces together under each key to muffle the “click”.

[@jacobjones9071]

Really makes me wonder when the last time one of these was used to write an article that would be published

[@real1rube]

I have a Tandy 100 that was evidently used by a journalist at the "North Platte Telegraph" in Nebraska. It has several papers inside the case which includes dial-in instructions to submit news stories by modem. The first memo was dated 6/18/85 but was superseded by a new memo from the "Computer Systems Tech" at the newspaper to all "Area Writers" dated June 25, 1996! So, many years of use. The keys worn shiny on this model, but the lettering still looks great. I replaced the internal battery and it's ready for use again!

[@jacobjones9071]

@@real1rube That's some incredible history there! I love when computers include info about thier old owners

[@RMBittner]

If you have a desktop computer and the right utility software and cabling, you can use these machines today. You’d just need to transfer files from the M100 to the desktop for output. I love these machines and have had several through the years. I still have a couple in my collection. But the reality is that the iPad is lighter and, obviously, far more powerful. Still, there’s something really fun about these computers. BTW, if you’d like to get a much better idea of everything these computers were capable of-or you just want some computer nostalgia-I highly recommend seeking out the online archives for “Portable 100” magazine, which ran for about 10 years in the 80s and early 90s.

[@leeosborne3793]

The answer to that is 2024! I have one of these, and I write a regular magazine column. I use it for that purpose quite often.

[@filthylucreonyoutube]

Great vid about a fascinating bit of tech. The Internet Archive has a copy of one of the original owners manuals, it's an interesting read. We really did a lot with a little in '83, it's interesting how just a little bit if tech can do so much work. Acoustic couplers and their baud-rate modems had a surprisingly long time in use, possibly into the early 2000s. Not with PCs but embedded in products like remote order handsets, pocket email terminals and similar dedicated tech.

[@travistaylor3186]

My favorite 80s portable. I collect old word processors and this computer has an excellent keyboard. I prefer the 100 to most of the smaller portable dot matrix wp/typewriters. The sound of the keys isn’t a big issue for me since I’m a typewriter guy and they’re way louder than this.

[@bigbadhodad3894]

got my 102 at the dump, happened to be there when a local high school was finally throwing out all their old computers, last summer, got a 102 and a trs80 model 3

[@leiilo]

Jesus, when was that? Pretty cool :v

[@billg7813]

I still have mine and several others to act as donor boards if need be. I have several ROM chips but my favorite was the Lucid spreadsheet ROM even though spreadsheets on an 8x40 display were not that useful. I have pulled the nicad batteries from all of them and will soon replace the capacitors in a couple as I hear they can leak too. The 100 was my first computer and so I just can't let it go. My son doubts they will get much at some future estate sale even though I have a lot of accessory stuff including all the Portable 100 magazines 😞 The best accessory for the 100 in the 80's was Compuserve.

[@RC-nq7mg]

I own two model 102 systems in full working order. still trying to get ahold of a DVI for it.

[@NewsmakersTech]

Have you ever used a Tandy 100 before? What about one of the other systems it is related to?

[@ThBreadMan]

What modern accessories would you suggest for the trs-80 model 100?

[@CanKenMakeIt]

You'll go far, Fletcher. You'll go far.

[@luiscasanova1409]

Nice 👍

[@SchardtCinematic]

I always loved looking at this computer and wanting one. But at the same time. Dont know what I would have done with it.

[@annieworroll4373]

I've got a Model 100 on the way, supposed to get here Saturday. Hopefully it works like the ebay listing claims.

[@annieworroll4373]

been a couple years, it arrived mostly working, just with some display flicker issues that were easily fixed with new capacitors. Works very well now.

[@paulburrell7058]

Early on this one up in the space shuttle

[@2kBofFun]

Thanks again, nice video. I have doubts on the availability. If this is sold 6000000 copies, and the HX20 just 250000, how comes these are nearly impossible to find on Ebay, and if there is one, the price is crazy? You can find mintish HX20 ones with ease under 100€. My dream portable would be a Model100 with the display replaced by a Futaba VFD, I've one with the same resolution and dimension laying in a drawer.

[@N4DJC]

Had a powerful version of BASIC, the last code written by Bill Gates personally. I loved mine. Used it for local BBS and amateur radio satellite pass predictions. Very handy and a great keyboard.

[@jeffreyjoseph8930]

As you say in video "acoustic modem". Actually the Model 100 has a built-in 300 baud modem, the device you refer to is an "acoustic coupler". This was a pair of rubber cups you would attach to a pay telephone handset or the handset of a domestic telephone, with a cord connecting to the computer. This transformed the electric output of the Model 100 modem to sonic output that interfaced to the telephone (meaning "tele-SOUND) system. Alternately, if a touch-tone phone was available (something a little special back in the 1980s) the Model 100 modem could be plugged directly into the touch-tone telephone. Either way, the modem was standard built-in to the computer. Nothing extra to buy or install, including the necessary software (TELCOM as seen in the Model 100 main menu at power-up). Built-in software, and lackluster offering from Radio Shack, failed to use the computer's considerable graphics display capability of dot-addressable LCD. Was a little slow updating fast graphics displays but far superior to other portables of the day. Aftermarket books and amateur programming efforts available for download were considerable remedies. The Model 100 was initially available only with 8 kilobytes of RAM which made for rather limited utility. For serious use expensive 8 KB expansion modules necessary. Later third-party suppliers like Purple Computing and Jameco made affordable plug-ins, and Radio Shack later sold with 24 KB built-in. Later Model 102 came with 24 KB as base config, and used standard SRAM chip to upgrade to max 32 KB. Use of surface-mount chips made it one inch thinner and a pound lighter. Cassette mass storage not always reliable, but as you say journalists would shoot off text file articles over phone lines via modem immediately in the field and did not really need reliable mass storage. Generous I/O ports (serial, parallel, system bus) and reliable rugged construction made the Model 100 ubiquitous in academic and laboratory settings for data acquisition and monitoring functions. MIcrosoft BASIC interpreter quite modern for the time, equivalent in most ways to desktop Z80 TRS-80 Model III running at 2 Mhz, though Model 100 only an 8080 equivalent ran on 2.4 MHz clock. Strong strings manipulations, singe and double precision arithmetic including trigonometric functions. Very good integration of BASIC commands with computer hardware devices including screen, keyboard and serial port. Built-in TEXT program available instantly at touch of a key, never any need to save data, simply press OFF and available again instantly with press ON. The Palm Pilot of its day!

[@ThBreadMan]

Is there someone who sells sd adaptor on Ebay?

[@davidhaslett9777]

Boots up and load the word processor than my M2 Macbook Air!

[@fcf8269]

I agree overall except for the software. The word processor is the simplest thing ever existed, so for people writing anything that require formatting, it is less usable than any wp of that time. Other than that there is not much running on it... The terminal app is the highlight there; as you can leverage it for a lot of options, and the basic interpreter. The address book and planner are basically glorified modes for the text editor; you will have to wait for early 90s to get something more modern like the Amstrad NC100 or the NTS devices; which had a decent database program and a functional set of apps in rom. For its time it was very competitive, but devices that came a bit after just were way better in every single way (on Amstrad devices for example you ran run CPM out of the box with just a SRAM card); and had more ram and storage. I wonder what would happen if Tandy would add a SRAM slot or just standard chips inside the model 100 from the beginning, instead of use customized parts.

[@lovemadeinjapan]

Where to find these. It seems impossible to find.

[@lovemadeinjapan]

Ran into a Olivetti M10, similar machine, a bit more stylish case. What's really unique is the persistant RAM. You can turn it off for a few days, and if you turn it back on, everything is still there. Now hunting down a Y2K, € and keyboard ROM patch (turn German QWERTZ into QWERTY).

[@ssupertutorial]

hey , i love your video, but why don't you add 5 minutes to your new video by adding a closer look at their os and how they works

[@edism]

Acoustic [Coupler]!!!

[@richardadams4928]

Still have one.

[@edism]

@@richardadams4928 hoarder! Lol

[@edism]

@@richardadams4928 lol for historical reasons or you actually use it?

[@richardadams4928]

@@edism Came in a lot. Model 100, Tandy soft case, manuals, and acoustic cups. $20 off eBay, about 10 years ago. Wonder if any of the BBS's I used to frequent are still up? Don't have a land-line any more, though....

[@richardadams4928]

@@edism 😀😄

[@The_Wandering_Nerd]

Put some kind of modern way to get files on and off it and that would give the mighty Alphasmart a run for its money as the perfect distraction-free writing device

[@filthylucreonyoutube]

Yes! Great argument for making an SBC ver of the 100 for writers. Full size keyboard, paperwhite screen, no &$#!!! distractions!

[@drakgrotta]

Is it not a killer on the neck when you must look down so much to see the screen?

[@lovemadeinjapan]

Get the Olivetti version with tilt screen.

[@ForViewingOnly]

2:05 It wasn't actually called the 'Micro Executive Workstation' in this advert. That was just the attention-grabbing advert headline The photo shows that the unit is branded TRS-80 Model 100, and further down the advert it says TRS-80 Model 100 many times. Believe it or not, it sounds like it was called the TRS-80 Model 100! Seeing as you were too young to have been around at the time, I'm not inclined to believe your 'research'.

[@turbolenza35]

Devterm!

[@ScreaminJoeBlade]

"I had to ask my Dad what an Acoustic Coupler was" - you haven't watched "War Games"?

[@rino19ny]

if someone would upgrade the display, add USB, wifi it would still sell.

[@NewsmakersTech]

Just sell them as a case for a raspberry pi! Done!

[@lovemadeinjapan]

@@NewsmakersTech Don't Pi-kill everything.

[@IrishCarney]

Geez can you get the name of the system right? Its full name is the Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 100. Or Model 100 for short. *IT WAS NEVER CALLED THE TANDY 100, EVER.* It came out BEFORE the big brand shift away from Radio Shack and TRS-80 over to Tandy. The Model 100 was eventually replaced by the Tandy 102, and yes THAT computer was Tandy-branded.

[@2kBofFun]

Isn't TRS Tandy Radio Shack?

[@IrishCarney]

@@2kBofFun Yes but it was not an actual acronym like BK for Burger King or the like. Because in the TRS-80 era the full formal name of a given computer model was Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 4, Radio Shack TRS-80 Color Computer 2, Radio Shack TRS-80 Pocket Computer 3, etc. So "Radio Shack Tandy Radio Shack" would make no sense.

[@2kBofFun]

@@IrishCarney It is acceptable, we do that all the time, like with LCD Display.

[@IrishCarney]

@@2kBofFun Or PIN number.

[@Roxasofmalice]

No Big Monitor... Wowwwwwwwwww

[@SchardtCinematic]

But can it play Doom? Joking

[@lovemadeinjapan]

Probably. I don't think there's a huge assembly coding scene for this. On paper you should come pretty far: - 2,5MHz is pretty decent CPU speed - Screen is 240x64, with individually addressable pixels, so it can look great. - RAM can be banked with rather large chunks, with 1MB of storage being no problem