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Wikipedia / Sharp PC-1500

The Sharp PC-1500 was a pocket computer produced by Sharp between 1981 and 1985. A rebadged version was also sold as the TRS-80 Pocket Computer PC-2.

The whole computer was designed around the LH5801, an 8-bit CPU similar to the Zilog Z80, but all laid-out in power-saving CMOS circuits. Equipped with 3.5KB of on-board RAM (2.6 KB in the user area), the programming language is BASIC. Later, German engineers provided an assembler for the machine. Later even a C compiler followed. An external slot is available and accepts memory (from 4KB to 32KB) and ROM modules.

Eight versions of this pocket computer with 2KB memory:

  • Sharp PC-1500 - Japanese version (1981)

  • Sharp PC-1500 - Japanese version with blue paint around LCD. CE-157 Kana module bundle model. Known as PC-1500D (1984)

  • Sharp PC-1500 - European, Australasian and North American version (1982)

  • Sharp PC-1500 RP2 - Brazilian version (1982)

  • HiradasTechnika PTA-4000 - Hungarian licence.

  • HiradasTechnika PTA-4000+16 - Hungarian licence (with internal 16KB memory extension)

  • Tandy TRS-80 PC-2

  • Nanfeng PC-1500A - Chinese license (CKD assembly from Japanese components)

Two versions with 8KB memory:

  • Sharp PC-1501 - Japanese rework with 8KB memory (1984)

  • Sharp PC-1500A - Western rework with 8KB memory (1984)

Technical specifications

  • 156×7 pixel LCD

  • Integrated speaker

  • Integrated RTC

  • Memory/cartridge slot

  • 60-pin expansion port for printer and tape drive

  • Battery slot (4×AA)

  • Connector for external power supply (Official adaptor is Sharp EA-150, rated at 500mA at 9V, comes with the CE-150 printer interface.)

Accessories

  • CE-150 4-colour printer/plotter and cassette interface in travel case. Known as KA-160 with PTA-4000.

  • CE-151 4KB memory module

  • CE-152 Cassette recorder (as external storage) (same as General Electric 3-5160A)

  • CE-153 Software board

  • CE-154 Wallet dedicated to PC-1500+ CE-150+ CE-152+ CE-153

  • CE-155 8KB memory module

  • CE-156 Tape with Katakana software

  • CE-157 4KB memory module with CR2032 battery data backup and Katakana chars ROM

  • CE-158 Communication dock with RS-232C and parallel interface with (4 rechargeable, shrink-wrapped, permanently built-in) NiCd battery (AA) as additional power supply for the computer.

  • CE-159 8KB memory module with CR2032 battery data backup

  • CE-160 7.6KB read only memory module with CR2032 battery data backup

  • CE-161 16KB memory module with CR2032 battery data backup

  • CE-162E Tape and parallel port interface

  • CE-163 32KB (2x16KB) dual-page memory module with CR2032 battery data backup. Only one page (16KB) can be accessed at a time, switchable via the following command in PROG mode:

                    Page 0 : POKE&5804,0 [enter]
                    Page 1 : POKE&5804,1 [enter]

Related Sharp pocket computers

BASIC compatibility with early models

Some earlier model PC-1500s will show a value 1 less in the FOR...NEXT counter on exiting the loop compared to later PC-1500s and the PC-1600.

For example:

K will be set to 11 on later model PC-1500s and PC-1600s, but will be 10 on early PC-1500s.

Consider this example:

S will be set to 3 on later model PC-1500s and PC-1600s, but will be 4 on early PC-1500s.

Early model PC-1500s evaluate IF...THEN statements differently. The behaviour can be summarised thus:An early model PC-1500 can be detected by using the command: .

If the value returned is 6, it is an early model.

Example program in BASIC

The PC-1500 allows special abbreviations, and the syntax can also look as follows:

Usage of variables

P = Purchase Price
V = VAT (%/100)     - To be input by hand before calculation begins, e.g.: V=1.14 (Enter)
M = Markup (%/100)  - To be input by hand before calculation begins, e.g.: M=1.15 (Enter)

Display of the answers are as follows

Program description

Significance

The design of initial prototypes of EMKE series of public transport cash registers were built around customized versions of the PC-1500 and its Hungarian clone PTA-4000. The series production models used almost exclusively in Hungarian regional and national bus services up to present day, are built around a version designed by EMKE and are heavily influenced by the PC-1500 design.

Emulation

With the SHARP PC-1500A emulator and the PockEmul you can emulate a PC-1500A.

See also

References