We've discussed the Tandy 10 and the Tandy 150 recently. There was one other significant computer system that was sold by Tandy Computers. Now, this is the early Tandy Computers division, which started before the TRS-80 was introduced. This was the division that released the first (and only) Tandy Computers Catalog in 1978. The primary store was the Tandy Computers Store in Tandy Center in Fort Worth, TX. They sold all the different brands of microcomputers and kits available at the time, from Altairs to IMSAIs to XITANs, including the TRS-80 Model I. In many ways, they were modeled after other computer shops at the time, like Byte Shop. This was Don French's experiment done with the blessing of Charles Tandy to find out what worked and what didn't when it came to selling computers.
However, in addition to selling microcomputer kits and systems, they also sold assembled turnkey systems, such as the Tandy 10, Tandy 150 and the "Software Special" or SWS.
The SWS was assembled in Fort Worth from various components sold by Tandy Computers. It consisted of a desk, terminal, S-100 Z80 based computer running CP/M with dual 8" floppy drives and optional Centronics printer. The wholesale cost was around $5000. It was exported to Australia primarily where it was resold by the Small Business Computer Company. Eventually, along with the Tandy 10 and Tandy 150, the SWS was killed, even though it was a successful seller with plenty of potential, as the company pivoted towards the Radio Shack brand and the TRS-80 line of computers once Charles Tandy passed away, Jon Shirley took control and the TRS-80 Model II was ready.
If you're interested in hearing more, look out for the next TRS-80 Trash Talk podcast episode where we'll be discussing this early period in the history of Tandy Radio Shack computing, including a fascinating interview with a former Tandy employee and pivotal player at Tandy Computers.
However, in addition to selling microcomputer kits and systems, they also sold assembled turnkey systems, such as the Tandy 10, Tandy 150 and the "Software Special" or SWS.
The SWS was assembled in Fort Worth from various components sold by Tandy Computers. It consisted of a desk, terminal, S-100 Z80 based computer running CP/M with dual 8" floppy drives and optional Centronics printer. The wholesale cost was around $5000. It was exported to Australia primarily where it was resold by the Small Business Computer Company. Eventually, along with the Tandy 10 and Tandy 150, the SWS was killed, even though it was a successful seller with plenty of potential, as the company pivoted towards the Radio Shack brand and the TRS-80 line of computers once Charles Tandy passed away, Jon Shirley took control and the TRS-80 Model II was ready.
If you're interested in hearing more, look out for the next TRS-80 Trash Talk podcast episode where we'll be discussing this early period in the history of Tandy Radio Shack computing, including a fascinating interview with a former Tandy employee and pivotal player at Tandy Computers.