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---
title: Texas Instruments TI 99 / 4A Beige
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Home Computer
origins:
- U.S.A.
years:
- '1983'
cpus:
- TI TMS 9900
params:
name: TI 99 / 4A Beige
image: /media/museum/photos/texas_ti99beige_system_1.jpg
company: /companies/texas-instruments
company_name: Texas Instruments
specs:
- label: NAME
value: TI 99 / 4A Beige
- label: MANUFACTURER
value: Texas Instruments
- label: TYPE
value: Home Computer
- label: ORIGIN
value: U.S.A.
- label: YEAR
value: June 1983
- label: END OF PRODUCTION
value: '1983'
- label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
value: TI Basic
- label: KEYBOARD
value: |-
QWERTY full-stroke keyboard, 48 keys\
2 x SHIFT, CTRL, ALPHA LOCK, FCTN
- label: CPU
value: TI TMS 9900 (with 256 bytes 'cache', actually it accesses to 256 bytes of RAM)
- label: SPEED
value: 3,3 MHz
- label: CO-PROCESSOR
value: TMS 9918 (TMS 9929 in Europe) - Video / Sprite
- label: RAM
value: '256 bytes - Memory expansion card can be added : 4 KB or 32 KB (up to 52 KB)'
- label: VRAM
value: 16 kb
- label: ROM
value: '26 KB  : 8 KB ROM connected to the CPU + 18 KB ROM in byte-serial bit-mapped circuits (usually known as GROM, Graphic Only Memory)'
- label: TEXT MODES
value: 32 x 24 (16 colors), 40 x 24 (2 colors)
- label: GRAPHIC MODES
value: |-
Multicolor mode : 48 x 64 with 16 colors\
256 x 192 with 16 colors (only accesed via machine code)\
Sprites (only with TI-Extended Basic)
- label: COLORS
value: '16'
- label: SOUND
value: 3 channels, 5 octaves (110hz to 55khz) and 1 noise channel (periodic and white)
- label: SIZE / WEIGHT
value: 38 (W) x 25,5 (D) x 6 (H) cm / 2,15 kg
- label: I/O PORTS
value: Tape interface, RGB video, Joystick (2), cartridge slot (Solid State Cartridge)
- label: OS
value: TI's own system, but a p-code card could be added, which gave access to the UCSD p-system and a Pascal compiler.
- label: POWER SUPPLY
value: |-
Special TI external PSU\
(pins 1,2 : 16v / 1,6A -- pins 2,4 : 8v / 0,15A)
- label: PRICE
value: AU $200
tabs:
- photos
- emulators
- links
- docs
- videos
forum_thread: 906
photos:
- title: LARGER VIEW
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/texas_ti99beige_system_2.jpg
- title: LEFT SIDE
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/texas_ti99beige_leftside_1.jpg
- title: RIGHT SIDE
subtitle: ''
text: A StarTrek game cartridge is inserted.
image: /media/museum/photos/texas_ti99beige_rightside_1.jpg
- title: KEYBOARD CLOSE-UP
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/texas_ti99beige_keyboard_1.jpg
- title: OPENED
subtitle: ''
text: |-
Opened system seen from the bottom side.\
A metallic magnetic shield covers the motherboard.\
At least two different power regulator circuits **(1)** and keyboards **(2)** were used. Some of them came from Japan.
image: /media/museum/photos/texas_ti99beige_opened_1.jpg
- title: MOTHERBOARD
subtitle: ''
text: |-
**(1)** RGB video output DIN plug\
**(2)** TMS 9918A video processor\
**(3)** TMS 9901 I/O management chip\
**(4)** TMS 9900 16-bit processor\
**(5)** 3 x GROM 6 KB chips\
**(6)** Sound generator chip (Texas 76494)\
**(7)** ROM cartridges connector\
**(8)** Tape recorder DB9 connector\
**(9)** Extension connector\
**(10)** 256 bytes Static RAM chips (2 x Motorola 6810)\
**(11)** 8 KB system ROM chip (Texas CD3227)\
**(12)** Power leads\
**(13)** Keyboard connector\
**(14)** 16 KB RAM chips (8 x 4116)\
**(15)** Joystick DB9 connector
image: /media/museum/photos/texas_ti99beige_mainboard_1.jpg
- title: BACK SIDE
subtitle: ''
text: |-
From left to right:\
• Extension connector\
• Tape recorder DB9 plug\
• Power plug. Power is supplied by and external mono or dual voltage PSU, depending on versions\
• RGB video out DIN plug
image: /media/museum/photos/texas_ti99beige_back_1.jpg
emulators:
- title: Mess emulator
url: http://www.mess.org
platform: MS DOS
text: Emulates all of the TI-99 versions, including the Geneve card
- title: PC99
url: http://pw2.netcom.com/~mjmw/index.html
platform: MS DOS
text: Quality emulator for the TI 99/4A
- title: Classic99
url: http://www.harmlesslion.com/software/Classic99
platform: Windows
text: Open Source & freeware TI-99/4A emulator for Windows 9x
- title: Win994a
url: http://www.99er.net/win994a.shtml
platform: Windows
text: Win994a is a TI-99/4A simulator written by Cory Burr that installs and runs in Windows
- title: MacV9T9 official homepage
url: http://perso.club-internet.fr/pytheas/english/MacV9T9.html
platform: Apple
text: MacV9T9 is a TI99 emulator for the Macintosh
links:
- title: planet-99.net
url: http://www.planet-99.net/
text: Lots and Lots of 4A software on this site. Disks, Cartridges, Articles - the lot!
- title: Somtimes
url: http://sometimes.99er.net/
text: Demo cartridges
- title: TI-99 4/A Webring
url: http://e.webring.com/hub?ring=ti994a
text: You know what it is ;-)
- title: TI-99 Forever !
url: http://www.ti99.com
text: Excellent site by Fabrice Montupet
- title: TI-99/4 Home Page at 99er.Net
url: http://www.99er.net/
text: THE us site to visit !
- title: Web Wiz CAPTCHA
url: http://www.webwizcaptcha.com
text: Tons of things here !
docs:
- title: USER'S REFERENCE GUIDE
url: http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/ti/index.htm
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/texas-instruments_ti99-4a_user-reference-guide.jpg
text: |-
[**USER'S REFERENCE GUIDE**](http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/ti/index.htm)written by Texas Instruments
 compiled/archived by Dave Dunfield\
 type of document : PDF\
 source : [Daves Old Computers](http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/)
- title: BEGINNER'S BASIC
url: http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/ti/index.htm
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/texas-instruments_ti99-4a_beginners-basic.jpg
text: |-
[**BEGINNER'S BASIC**](http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/ti/index.htm)written by Texas Instruments
 compiled/archived by Dave Dunfield\
 type of document : PDF\
 source : [Daves Old Computers](http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/)
- title: BASIC REFERENCE CARD
url: http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/ti/index.htm
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/texas-instruments_ti99-4a_basic-reference-card.jpg
text: |-
[**BASIC REFERENCE CARD**](http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/ti/index.htm)written by Texas Instruments
 compiled/archived by Dave Dunfield\
 type of document : PDF\
 source : [Daves Old Computers](http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/)
- title: GETTING STARTED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS TI99/4A
url: http://shawweb.myzen.co.uk/stephen/book.htm
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/vide.gif
text: |-
[**GETTING STARTED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS TI99/4A**](http://shawweb.myzen.co.uk/stephen/book.htm)written by Stephen Shaw
 compiled/archived by Stephen Shaw\
 type of document : HTML\
 source : [Stephen's Main Web Page](http://shawweb.myzen.co.uk/stephen)
- title: PROGRAMMING DISCOVERY IN TI BASIC STUDENT GUIDE
url: http://www.99er.net/docs.html
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/texas-instruments_ti99-4a_programming_discovery.jpg
text: |-
[**PROGRAMMING DISCOVERY IN TI BASIC STUDENT GUIDE**](http://www.99er.net/docs.html)written by Texas Instruments Computer Advantage Club
 compiled/archived by Rich at www.99er.net\
 type of document : Unknown\
 source : [TI-99/4A Home Computer Page](http://www.99er.net/)
- title: TI-99/4A CONSOLE & PERIPHERAL EXPANSION SYSTEM TECHNICAL DATA
url: http://www.99er.net/docs.html
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/texas-instruments_ti99-4a_technical_data.jpg
text: |-
[**TI-99/4A CONSOLE & PERIPHERAL EXPANSION SYSTEM TECHNICAL DATA**](http://www.99er.net/docs.html)written by Texas Instruments
 type of document : PDF\
 source : [TI-99/4A Home Computer Page](http://www.99er.net/)
- title: SPEECH SYNTHESIZER MANUAL
url: http://www.99er.net/docs.html
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/texas-instruments_ti99-4a_speech-module-manual.jpg
text: |-
[**SPEECH SYNTHESIZER MANUAL**](http://www.99er.net/docs.html)written by Texas Instruments
 type of document : PDF\
 source : [TI-99/4A Home Computer Page](http://www.99er.net/)
- title: DISK MEMORY SYSTEM MANUAL
url: http://www.99er.net/docs.html
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/texas-instruments_ti99-4a_disk-memory-system.jpg
text: |-
[**DISK MEMORY SYSTEM MANUAL**](http://www.99er.net/docs.html)written by Texas Instruments
 compiled/archived by Rich at www.99er.net\
 type of document : Unknown\
 source : [TI-99/4A Home Computer Page](http://www.99er.net/)
- title: RS232 INTERFACE CARD MANUAL
url: http://www.99er.net/docs.html
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/texas-instruments_ti99-4a_rs232.jpg
text: |-
[**RS232 INTERFACE CARD MANUAL**](http://www.99er.net/docs.html)written by Texas Instruments
 compiled/archived by Rich at www.99er.net\
 type of document : Unknown\
 source : [TI-99/4A Home Computer Page](http://www.99er.net/)
- title: DATA RECORDER MANUAL
url: http://www.99er.net/docs.html
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/texas-instruments_ti99-4a_data-recorder.jpg
text: |-
[**DATA RECORDER MANUAL**](http://www.99er.net/docs.html)written by Texas Instruments
 compiled/archived by Rich at www.99er.net\
 type of document : PDF\
 source : [TI-99/4A Home Computer Page](http://www.99er.net/)
videos:
- title: TV commercial featuring Bill Cosby
url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhsgvW9P7tI
text: 'Length: 30 s'
related:
- /museum/texas-instruments-computer-99-8
- /museum/texas-instruments-ti-99-2
- /museum/texas-instruments-ti-99-4a
oc_id: 929
source:
url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230608092647/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=929
date: '2023-06-08'
---
This TI99/4A all plastic beige version was launched in June 1983, five months before Texas Instruments decide to definitely get out of the home computers market.
The goal was to reduce the production costs and offer a better price front of the Commodore [VIC-20](/museum/commodore-vic-20/) competition. T.I. also thought of standardizing colours and peripherals of its future line of home computers, the [TI99/2](/museum/texas-instruments-ti-99-2/) and [TI99/8](/museum/texas-instruments-computer-99-8/).
Internal hardware of the beige version was quite the same as the [TI99/4](/museum/texas-instruments-ti-99-4a/) black and silver model. All of the TI99 peripherals could run on the new version. Some minor change were made though:\
• New power supply unit\
• New power switch moved to to right of the keyboard\
• The power Led was replaced with a blue colored area on the power switch\
• Only the T.I. licencied ROM cartridges could run on this version.
Despite its short life, several tens of thousands system were sold, in American continent and Australia.
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