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Tandy 1000 EX
From Higher Intellect Vintage Wiki
Description
The Tandy 1000 EX was a PC compatible based off the intel 8088 microprocessor and is basically a budget version of the Tandy 1000 SX released at the same time. It differs from the 1000 SX in that the entire computer, including the keyboard, but minus the monitor, is one single unit altogether.
Specifications
- Chassis: Tandy 1000 All-In-One Style Chassis for the 1000 EX
- PSU: Tandy Proprietary
- CPU: Intel 8088-2 at 6MHz (turbo) or 4.77MHz (Turbo off)
- RAM: 384K expandable to 640K
- FDD: 1 5.25" TEAC White-Bezel 360K DSDD Floppy Drive on the right side
- GFX: Enhanced CGA (TGA, PC Jr. Compatible)
- SND: Tandy 3-voice (PC Jr. Compatible)
- O/S: MS-DOS 3.1 for the Tandy 1000 EX and Deskmate II
Technical Details
Unlike the 1000 SX which the EX shares most of it's specs with, the EX has it's keyboard integrated into the system unit, and uses Tandy Proprietary "Plus Card" slots for expansion cards. These are basically expansion cards where the pin-headers go through a set of long pins acting as the ISA bus (pinout is similar), and "stack" on top of each other like cards in a later LPX system would to save space. The expansion cards are located under a slide-off cover on top of the Tandy near the center of the case. Most often, modems and 640K Memory upgrade cards were a common upgrade.
The 1000 EX offers one feature the Tandy 1000 SX, as well as the 1000 and 1000A, never had, a user-accessible volume control on the outside of the chassis in the form of a roller wheel on the right hand side, and a headphone jack. This was possibly the first model of 1000 to have these features. It was later replaced by the Tandy 1000 HX just a year or two later.
Articles
HARD DISK FOR TANDY 1000/EX
by A.B. Trevor, 12 April 1987
As of this writing, Tandy does not offer a hard disk drive for the
Tandy 1000/EX, but an external 20 meg drive is available from Hard
Drive Specialist. The Tandy Memory Plus Expansion (MPE) board is a
prerequisite. The controller card is installed internally to the top
connector of the MPE board, meaning that you may have only one other
device installed with the hard disk -- most likely a modem or RS-232
card. A short ribbon cable converts the controller's standard PC
edge connector to mate with the 62 pin Tandy "Plus" socket on the
MPE. A two foot 54 conductor ribbon cable and 3 loose power wires
originate on the top of the controller and are routed out the back
of the EX to the drive itself. This makes for a VERY tight fit in
the EX expansion cavity. The ribbon cable connectors and ROM chip
extend above the board and touch the expansion cover; in my case,
the cover actually bulges out a bit with the hard disk controller
in place.
The drive itself is mounted in a Tandy plastic case measuring
11.5"x6.5"x2.75". (It looks like the case for the external 3.5"
floppy drive... very nice). An unusually bright (for an HD) round
LED is mounted on the front of the drive enclosure as an access
indicator. The drive is quiet, but makes enough noise that you
hardly need the light. Note that the only cables attached to the
drive go to the EX -- power is obtained from the EX as well. Aside
from the casual cabling and the very tight fit of the installed
controller, it is a nice looking, neat installation.
The drive comes pre-formatted, but HDS says that it can be
reformatted if you like either with the programs HSECT, FDISK, and HFORMAT.
Or, you can use DEBUG to execute a BIOS routine.
Speaking of the BIOS, I have had one or two strange hangs with
certain copy protected programs since I installed the hard disk,
but other than that, it appears to be compatible with all software
I have tried.
Performance by today's standards is poor, but so is the drive IBM
supplies with XT's. Still, you wonder how much HDS saved by
selecting such a slow drive. Most of my applications are not
disk intensive, so it makes no difference. It is just great to be
freed from floppy swapping.
SPECS:
Track to track: 15.15ms avg
Random/TT mix: 44.51ms avg
Random seek: 72.51ms avg
Cost: $729
Hard Drive Specialist
16208 Hickory Knoll
Houston, TX 77059
713-480-6000
While this is a good choice if you already have an EX, or for some
reason you particulary want a high performance EX. But it doesn't make
sense to go out and buy an EX with the intent of installing hard
disk, since you can get an SX with hard disk for no more money, now
that 20 meg disks can be gotten for around $350. I happen to like the
EX form factor, and now that I have the HDS disk, I wouldn't swap
the EX for anything short of a PS/2 Model 80.
Press Releases
TANDY CORPORATION ANNOUNCES THE TANDY 1000EX COMPUTER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS -- Tandy Corporation today announced the Tandy (r) 1000 EX
computer, a PC-compatible school and home computer priced at $799, that runs 50
percent faster than the PC. The Intel 8088 microprocessor-based system runs
most MS-DOS (r) software at 7.16 MHz, and is software switchable to 4.77 MHz.
It comes with more memory than the original Tandy 1000 computer, features an
integral CPU/keyboard, and Personal DeskMate (tm), a new, graphics-oriented,
multi-function applications program.
"Educators and new home users asked us for a sturdy, high speed PC-compatible
computer at a truly low price. Educators tell us they require networking
capabilities, and prefer the simplicity of a one-piece unit. The Tandy 1000 EX
computer succeeds the popular Tandy 1000 -- the best selling PC in U.S. retail
distribution -- and is specifically for our home and education customers," said
John V. Roach, chairman, CEO and president of Tandy Corporation.
The Tandy 1000 EX computer comes with 256K RAM expandable to 640K, one 5-1/4
inch, 360K floppy disk drive (a second, external 3-1/2 inch or 5-1/4 inch
floppy drive may be added), space for three PLUS expansion boards, and it
supports the classroom Network 4 network. For educational users, the Tandy 1000
EX computer includes a headphone jack and volume control, perfect for the
school lab environment.
The Personal DeskMate program features handy pull-down menus and pop-up boxes
that make it easy to use. The package includes work processing, spreadsheet,
electronic filing, paint, a calendar for scheduling appointments, and
telecommunications programs as well as desktop accessories such as an
electronic calculator, notepad, and phone directory.
Microsoft's MS-DOS 2.11 with GW-BASIC (r) also is included with every Tandy
1000 EX computer.
The Tandy 1000 EX computer (25-1050) is available at more than 7,000 Radio
Shack (r) Stores, Radio Shack Computer Centers and participating dealers
nationwide.
The Tandy 1000 EX computer is made in the United States by Tandy Corporation,
the leading manufacturer and retailer of PC-compatible computer products.
TANDY 1000 EX COMPUTER FACT SHEET
The Product:
------------
() The Tandy 1000 EX computer, at $799, is the lowest-priced PC
compatible offered by a major manufacturer.
() Runs 50 percent faster than the PC. The 7.16 MHz clock speed
is software switchable to the standard 4.77 MHz.
() It is the successor in the home and education markets to the
best-selling Tandy 1000 computer.
() One-piece CPU with 90-key keyboard features a built-in, 5-1/4
inch, 360K floppy disk drive.
() Comes with Personal DeskMate (tm), and easy-to-use, graphics-
oriented productivity program. Features word processing,
spreadsheet, electronic filing, graphics, calendar and
telecommunications.
() The Tandy 1000 EX personal computer and Personal DeskMate
software come with an easy-to-understand tutorial manual, a
reference manual and a quick-reference guide. The tutorial easily
takes even the newest computer user through all of the computer's
basic functions.
() MS-DOS 2.11 disk operating system and GW-BASIC software are
included in the base price. (Full MS-DOS/GW-BASIC reference
manuals sold separately.)
() Allows addition of one PLUS expansion board or two PLUS
expansion boards when used with the Memory PLUS Expansion
Adapter.
() Available at more than 7,000 Radio Shack Stores, Radio Shack
Computer Centers, and participating dealers nationwide.
The Software:
-------------
() Personal DeskMate, an easy-to-use, graphics-oriented program,
is an introduction to a variety of applications programs. It
introduces the user to applications without the expense of
purchasing additional software.
-- Personal DeskMate includes:
-- Tandy Desktop, to help visually organize and manage
program and data files. Any combination of applications
can be installed on the screen.
-- Text, a simple word processor, for composing and editing
text on the screen, and printing.
-- Worksheet, an electronic spreadsheet application with 99
rows and 99 columns of numeric, text, or calculated cells.
-- Filer, for tracking recipes or other frequently used
data.
-- Paint, a simple graphic picture editor that includes
functions for drawing basic shapes (solid or outline),
lines, points, fonts and pattern fills.
-- Calendar, an electronic personal calendar for keeping
track of appointments and activities.
-- Telecom, a basic telecommunications package for
communication with information services or uploading and
downloading files.
-- Notepad to give the user a place to leave notes for
personal use right on the menu screen.
-- Calculator, for basic math. Adds, subtracts, divides and
multiplies.
-- Phone Directory, for storing telephone numbers and
addresses.
The Hardware:
--------------
() Uses the Intel 8088 microprocessor.
() Base price of $799 includes:
-- One-piece CPU/90-key keyboard.
-- 256K RAM, expandable to 640K RAM with Memory PLUS
Expansion Adapter.
-- One built-in, double-sided, double-density, 360K
formatted, 5-1/4 inch, floppy disk drive.
-- Built-in high-resolution monochrome and color graphics.
-- Standard external connectors include:
-- parallel printer port.
-- connector for 5-1/4 inch, 360K, or 3-1/2 inch, 720K,
external disk drive.
-- composite video outlet.
-- 1/8 inch headphone jack with volume control.
-- two joystick ports.
-- RGBI color monitor port.
OPTIONS:
--------
-- VM-4 Monochrome Monitor (25-1020) $ 129.95
-- CM-5 RGBI Color Monitor (25-1023) 299.95
-- CM-10 RGBI Color Monitor (25-1022) 459.95
() Internal expansion available through one PLUS style expansion
board or two PLUS style expansion boards when used with Memory
PLUS Expansion Adapter.
Expansion boards and other options include:
-- Memory PLUS Expansion Adapter (25-1062) $ 129.95
-- PLUS RS-232C Option Card (25-1014) 79.95
-- PLUS Digi-Mouse Controller/Calendar (25-1015) 99.95
-- PLUS 300-Baud PC Modem (25-1017) 99.95
-- PLUS Network 4 Interface (25-1019) 299.95
-- PLUS 1200-Baud PC Modem (25-1018) 199.95
_________________________________________________________________
* Radio Shack is a registered service mark of Tandy Corporation.
* Personal DeskMate is a registered trademark of Tandy Corporation.
* Tandy and Digi-Mouse are registered trademarks of Tandy Corporation.
* MS-DOS and GW-BASIC are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp.