Sharp actually continued making the PC series of pocket computers into the early 2000s. The last model (the PC-G850VS) can show bitmapped graphics, is programmable in BASIC, C, and Z80 assembly, and has an 8-bit parallel user port.
On Wed, Aug 8, 2018 at 9:31 AM, Jeff Gonzales <gonzobra...@gmail.com> wrote: > I have a PC-6 which I used in high school. It was such a cool > "calculator" for the time. I liked the earlier ones more, however, as they > had more cool accessories. > > "Ready P0" > > haha. > > On Wed, Aug 8, 2018 at 8:59 AM, Kevin Becker <ke...@kevinbecker.org> > wrote: > >> I'm a pocket computer fan too. My original was a PC-3 that I used >> through high school. At some point it died and I got a PC-7 which I used >> through college and early career. In the mean time the PC-3 had been >> repaired by a friend but the PC-7 was a better calculator for my needs at >> that time. >> >> Not long ago I dug them out and started messing around with them again. >> The keys on the cover of the PC-7 no longer work. I suspect the ribbon >> cable is broken and there probably isn't an easy way to repair it without >> destroying it in the process. >> >> The PC-3 mostly worked but the run/program/power switch was flakey. I >> took it apart and cleaned it an bent the contacts a bit to make a better >> connection and it is good to go. I also replaced the nicad pack in the >> printer. >> >> Since then I picked up another PC-3a and printer that needed the same >> repair. It has some bleed on the LCD but not too bad. I also acquired a >> PC-4 which is working great with no refurbishment. Most recently I got a >> PC-2 and a Sharp PC1500 that are also in great shape. I have a Sharp >> CE-150 printer for it but I actually haven't tested it out yet but it seems >> to have been unused, with unopened pens included. Ron Lauzon was nice >> enough to sell me some memory modules for them and I'm looking forward to >> doing some more advance programming on them soon. >> >> >> >> On Wed, Aug 8, 2018 at 7:39 AM, Jim Toth <jt...@localnet.com> wrote: >> >>> I'll keep that in mind. But so far, so good. >>> >>> >>> ----- Original Message ----- >>> *From:* you got me <ven...@hotmail.com> >>> *To:* m...@bitchin100.com >>> *Sent:* Wednesday, August 08, 2018 1:26 AM >>> *Subject:* Re: [M100] TRS-80/Tandy Pocket Computer >>> >>> be careful about the pc-2 and printing. You can always make or refill >>> your own pens.... but the MAJOR problem is a plastic cog within the >>> printing mechanism itself. Over time these things would crack and then you >>> would have abnormal printing operations. A brass or 3d printed version of >>> that cog would revitalize 98% of those ancient pc-2 printers. (that, and >>> changing the ni-cad batteries with ni-mh ones). >>> ------------------------------ >>> *From:* M100 <m100-boun...@lists.bitchin100.com> on behalf of Jim Toth < >>> jt...@localnet.com> >>> *Sent:* Wednesday, August 8, 2018 2:08:03 AM >>> *To:* m...@bitchin100.com >>> *Subject:* Re: [M100] TRS-80/Tandy Pocket Computer >>> >>> You can still purchase PC-2 printer pens? Excellent. Where? >>> >>> >>> ----- Original Message ----- >>> From: "Ron Lauzon" <rlau...@gmail.com> >>> To: <m...@bitchin100.com> >>> Sent: Tuesday, August 07, 2018 9:46 PM >>> Subject: Re: [M100] TRS-80/Tandy Pocket Computer >>> >>> >>> My PC-4 was my constant companion through college and into my first >>> job. I picked up a PC-2 at the Tandy Corporate auction and got bit by >>> the pocket computer bug. >>> >>> What I've put together is this: >>> + PC-1 - usually had bad screens over time. >>> + PC-2 - frequently people left the AA batteries in them when they >>> stopped using them. The batteries leaked. So always check the >>> battery compartment before buying one. Leaky batteries can cause a >>> great deal of damage. >>> The printer/cassette interface is where the flaws are. The printer >>> gears tended to wear out. Also the rechargeable battery packs are >>> shot by now and are leaking. >>> There are some people who refurbish the printers (new batteries and >>> new gears), but they will be more expensive. Surprisingly, you can >>> still purchase the pens. >>> + PC-3 - Not much that I know of. I only have 1 in my collection and >>> it has no problems. The printer even works. >>> + PC-4 - No problems with the pocket computer itself that I know of. >>> The printer batteries are shot by now. Usually they don't leak, but >>> the batteries are not meant to be replaced. But with some work, the >>> printers can be made to work with an AC-adapter. >>> >>> On Tue, Aug 7, 2018 at 8:01 PM megarat <mega...@yahoo.com> wrote: >>> > >>> > Hey folks, a recent thread here highlighted my interest in the old >>> > TRS-80/Tandy Pocket Computers (rebadged from existing Casio and Sharp >>> > models). I always had a fascination with these things as a kid, and I >>> was >>> > lucky enough to own one of them for a while (a PC-5), so I'm >>> entertaining >>> > the possibility of hunting some of them down. >>> > >>> > I'm concerned, however, with how well these models age. Specifically >>> the >>> > electrolytics (and how easy are they to replace?), the LCD display (do >>> > they have a tendency to fade/bleed?), and the keypad (do those little >>> > chicklet keyboards still hold up years later?). >>> > >>> > Are there any PC collectors on this list that can offer me some >>> > advice/guidance? Thanks. >>> > >>> > /CAM >>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> Ron Lauzon - rlauzon at acm dot org >>> Homepage: http://webpages.charter.net/rlauzon/ >>> Weblog: http://ronsapartment.blogspot.com/ >>> >>> TRS-80 Pocket Computer 2 - TRS-80 Pocket Computer 4 - TRS-80 Model >>> 100/102 >>> Some people like to work on old cars. But old computers are cheaper >>> and don't require a big garage. >>> >>> >> >
