---
title: Tandy Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 600
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Portable
origins:
- U.S.A.
years:
- '1985'
cpus:
- 80C88
params:
  name: TRS-80 Model 600
  image: /media/museum/photos/tandy_600_system_s1.jpg
  company: /companies/tandy-radio-shack
  company_name: Tandy Radio Shack
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: TRS-80 Model 600
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: Tandy Radio Shack
  - label: TYPE
    value: Portable
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: U.S.A.
  - label: YEAR
    value: October 1985
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: Optional BASIC interpreter ($129.95)
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: Typewriter-style, 72 keys with 10 function keys and cursor keypad
  - label: CPU
    value: 80C88, CMOS low-power version of the Intel 8088
  - label: SPEED
    value: 3.07 MHz
  - label: RAM
    value: 32 KB expandable up to 224 KB (96 KB modules)
  - label: ROM
    value: 160 KB
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 80 columns x 16 lines
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: 480 x 128 dots
  - label: COLORS
    value: Monochrome
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: 30.5 (W) x 30.5 (D) x 6.5 (H) cm / 4.5 kg
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: Parallel, Serial RS232, Phone line, expansion bus
  - label: BUILT IN MEDIA
    value: 3.5'' 360 KB floppy-disk drive
  - label: OS
    value: Microsoft Works 1.2
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: NiCd batteries (last 10 hours) or AC power
  - label: PRICE
    value: $1,599 to $2,398 with 224 KB of RAM (October 1985)
  tabs:
  - photos
  - links
  photos:
  - title: MODEL 600
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/tandy_600_2.jpg
  links:
  - title: Complete Tandy 600 FAQ
    url: http://www.digitaldinos.com/Pages/Information/docT600FAQ30.html
    text: ''
  comments:
  - author: Amy Martin (US)
    date: Monday 2nd October 2017
    text: I have a Tandy 600 I''m looking to sell
  - author: Richard (United States)
    date: Monday 30th January 2017
    text: A friend of mine found a brand new one in the original box with the plastic wrap still around it, in the back of a warehouse.
  - author: leskovez (Russia)
    date: Thursday 30th October 2014
    text: If someone owns the laptop let me know. Laptop needed for the museum of computer technology. I want to buy. leskovezATmail.ru
  oc_id: 1066
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230608072808/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1066
    date: '2023-06-08'
---

Product designers at Tandy described the Tandy 600 as a machine with the features that users of the Model 100 and the Model 200 most often requested: an 80-column screen, a disk drive, and more RAM.

Although powered by a CMOS version of the 8088 CPU, the Tandy 600 wasn't IBM PC compatible. It had a 80-column x 16 line LCD display, a built-in 3.5" floppy drive, an internal 300-baud modem and 32 KB of basic battery-backed RAM expandable up to 224 KB.

The Microsoft operating system was comprised of the System Manager that handled file management for the disk drive and Microsoft Works 1.2 which gathered five applications: **Word**, a word processor whose files were compatible with the PC version of Microsoft Word; **Calendar**, an alarm-driven appointment scheduler; **File**, a database manager; **Telcom** for driving telecommunications activity; and **Multiplan**, reportedly a "99.5 percent version" of the PC spreadsheet.

Custom applications could be placed in the ROM slot occupied by the Multiplan ROM. All of the applications placed in this slot - including Multiplan and the optional BASIC interpreter - could be copied onto disk then loaded in RAM

The Japanese-made Tandy 600 was a light and well designed machine. However, it quickly suffered from the competition of portable PC compatible systems and didn't sell well.

<table> <tr> <td></td> <td>We need more info about this computer ! If you designed, used, or have more info about this system, please send us pictures or anything you might find useful.</td> <td></td> </tr> </table>