View source for TRS-80 MC-10

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{{Infobox information appliance
| name         = TRS-80 MC-10
| logo         = TRS-80 MC-10 badge.svg
| logo_upright = 0.5
| image        = TRS-80 MC-10 Microcomputer.jpg
| caption      = TRS-80 MC-10<!-- include if image is not a logo -->
| developer    =
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| generation   =
| releasedate  = {{Start date and age|1983}}<ref name=cc198310review>[http://www.atarimagazines.com/creative/v9n10/39_The_TRS80_MC10_too_lit.php The TRS-80 MC-10: too little, too late for too much?], (evaluation) By Owen W. Linzmayer, CREATIVE COMPUTING VOL. 9, NO. 10 / OCTOBER 1983 / PAGE 39</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=zC8EAAAAMBAJ&dq=TRS-80+MC-10&pg=PA1 TRS-80 MC-10 'battles' T/S 2000], By Scott Mace, Page 3, InfoWorld, 20 Jun 1983</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=ti8EAAAAMBAJ&dq=TRS-80+MC-10&pg=PA46 New Systems], Hardware News, Page 46, InfoWorld, 8 Aug 1983, ''The TRS-80 Micro Color Computer Model MC- 10 from Radio Shack is aimed primarily at first-time computer buyers.''</ref>
| lifespan     = 
| price        = <!-- this is price at initial release, not the current price. --> {{US$|119.95|1983|round=-1}}
| discontinued = 1984
| unitssold    = 
| unitsshipped =
| media        = 
| os           = 8 KB (Micro Color Basic, developed by [[Microsoft]]) ROM<!-- operating system --> 
| power        = 8V AC 1.5A
| cpu          = [[Motorola 6800 family|Motorola MC6803]] @ 0.89 [[Megahertz|MHz]]
| storage      = 
| memory       = 4 [[kilobyte|KB]] on-board, expandable to 20 KB via external expansion pack
| display      = 
| graphics     = VDG: [[MC6847]]
| sound        = 
| input        = 48-key "[[chiclet keyboard|Chiclet]]"-style keyboard
| location     = <!-- GPS or Wi-Fi based -->
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| service      = <!-- online service/s offered -->
| dimensions   = {{convert|8.5|x|7|x|2|in|mm|abbr=on}}
| weight       = {{convert|29.05|oz|g|abbr=on}}
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}}
The '''TRS-80 MC-10''' [[microcomputer]] is a lesser-known member of the [[TRS-80]] line of [[home computer]]s, produced by [[Tandy Corporation]] in the early 1980s and sold through their [[RadioShack]] chain of electronics stores. It was a low-cost alternative to Tandy's own [[TRS-80 Color Computer]] to compete with entry-level machines such as the [[VIC-20]] and [[Sinclair ZX81]].

The MC-10 was of value primarily to [[hobbyists]] and as an introduction to [[computer programming]]. It was not a commercial success and was discontinued only a year after its introduction.

== Description ==
{{multiple images|direction=vertical|total_width=220
|image1=TRS-80_Model_MC-10_OriginalBox.jpg|caption1=Original box of a MC-10
|image2=TRS-80_Model_MC-10_Ports.jpg|caption2=Rear ports on a MC-10
|image3=TRS-80_Model_MC-10_16K_Ram_Expansion.jpg|caption3=16 KB RAM expansion module
}}
About the size of a hardcover book, the MC-10 has four [[kilobyte]]s of RAM, a [[Motorola 6800 family|Motorola MC6803]] eight-bit [[microprocessor]], a built-in serial port, and graphics capabilities similar to those of the original [[TRS-80 Color Computer|Color Computer]] (provided by the same [[Motorola 6847|MC6847]] video display generator).

The MC-10 includes a [[BASIC]] interpreter in [[Read-only memory|ROM]] and uses regular [[audio cassette]]s for bulk storage. Text and graphics are displayed on a [[television set]] via a built-in [[RF modulator]]. Less common for machines in its class is the integrated [[RS-232]] [[serial port]], which allows the MC-10 to use [[line printer]]s and [[modem]]s without additional hardware.

At the time of its release in 1983, the MC-10's specifications were underwhelming (at least for its home market; North America). [[Disk drives]], full-travel [[Computer keyboard|keyboard]]s, medium-resolution graphics, and complete 64-kilobyte memory banks were becoming popular features for home computers; the MC-10 offered none of these, severely limiting the functions it could perform and the range of users to whom it could appeal.

The MC-10 was discontinued in 1984, along with the 16 KB memory upgrade and small amount of cassette-based software that had been released for it.

== Specifications ==
* VDG: [[MC6847]]
** Text: 32×16
** Low-res: 64×32, 8 color (4 bpp)
** Low-res: 64×48, 2 color (not fully implemented)
** Low-res: 64×64, 4 color (2 bpp)
** Med-res: 128×64, 2 color (1 bpp)
** Med-res: 128×64, 4 color (2 bpp)
** Med-hi: 128×96, 2 color (1 bpp)
** Med-hi: 128×96, 4 color (2 bpp)
** Hi-res: 128×192, 2 color (1 bpp)
** Hi-res: 128×192, 4 color (2 bpp) (partially supported, insufficient video RAM)<ref>TRS-80 Micro Color Computer Model MC-10 Service Manual, Radio Shack Corporation, Catalog Number 26-30-11, Pages 4-6, 17.</ref>
** Hi-res: 256×192, 2 color (1 bpp) (partially supported, insufficient video RAM)
* [[input/output|I/O]] Ports:
** RS-232C [[serial interface]] (300-9600 [[baud]]; 600 baud from [[BASIC programming language|BASIC]])
** Cassette interface (1500 baud)
** Internal RF modulator
** Memory expansion interface

Although the memory expansion interface connected directly to the CPU bus and could have been used for many applications, the [[edge connector]] involved had an unusual number of pins and was difficult to obtain.

The RS-232C serial interface had extremely limited usefulness. Although the 6803 CPU conveniently includes a built-in [[UART]], it was left unconnected and did not assist the RS-232C interface in any manner. In part, this is because a single 3.58&nbsp;MHz TV [[colorburst crystal]] is used to generate video and clock the CPU, and this [[clock rate]] could not be divided by an [[integer]] to obtain any standard baud rate for the UART. As a result, programs have to [[Bitwise_operation#Bit_shifts|shift bits]] individually into and out of the RS-232C interface, a mode of operation that entails atypical and especially critical timing requirements.

The cassette interface has similar difficulties, plus a few. Although Micro Color Basic includes an undocumented <code>CLOADM</code> command for loading machine-language programs and an undocumented <code>VARPTR</code> function for manipulating [[Variable (computer science)|variables]] as memory, there is no corresponding <code>CSAVEM</code> command (documented or otherwise) to permit machine language programs to be saved to tape.

== Software ==
A limited amount of software was available on cassette for the MC-10, including Lunar Lander, Checkers, and a [[machine code|machine-language]] Pinball program. However, as most programs written in Basic for other TRS-80 models were compatible with the MC-10, many books with BASIC programs were available for the user who was willing to type in the code.

== Clone ==
[[File:Matra Alice.jpg|thumb|The Matra Alice, a derivative of the original MC-10]]
{{main|Matra Alice}}
A clone of the MC-10, the [[Matra Alice|Alice]], was marketed in [[France]] through a collaboration among Tandy, [[Matra]] and [[Hachette (publishing)|Hachette]].

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons cat|TRS-80 MC-10}}
* [https://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=163 Old-Computers.com]
* [http://oldcomputers.net/mc-10.html OldComputers.net]
* [http://mc-10.com Browser based emulator for the MC-10]

{{TRS-80 and Tandy computers}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Home computers]]
[[Category:Computer-related introductions in 1983]]