Hello Peter. This is a fair assessment. I really consider "my" Model 100 to be a Single Board Computer Expansion system. It is indeed designed to allow you to "bring your own" SBC and it uses USB connections to integrate everything together. People should see it as a platform, which I feel has a lot more capability and flexibility vs forcing people to use a board of my own design.
You're right, my machine is a touch bigger as the enclosure was designed to accommodate a large assortment of internal components (almost like a tool kit) and with the amount of modularity I've put into the system, it results in something a little chunky, but no bigger of a 2D footprint than any 15" screen laptop. Side by side my unit does not look all that much bigger than the M100! If I had made my unit the same size, it would not be possible to load the devices I anticipate my users will want to put inside, there would just be no room the M100 was truly a marvel! I am not interested in locking people into specific SBCs so I have kept things very modular. Why lock people into a chipset? Why lock them into a board when you all might have something else in mind? (RISC V? Raspi? Rockpi? 4x4 x86 boards? etc...) You can fit USB dongles, storage, large batteries inside, and the rear allows for 12 ports + 4 antenna ports. The TRS80 M100 was closed, fixed, locked down and monolithic with minimal upgrade capability - typical for the times! I love the TRS80 MODEL 100 but I couldn't justify modifying my units just to have a more modern chip or screen under the hood. I am primarily a collector, so that kind of destructive change isn't my cup of tea. I wanted to build my dream computer, and a more modern take on the M100 resulted in this project. As you hinted at, I am anticipating many users installing FPGA style systems that could take advantage of the modern hardware modules I include with my design. I would love to see a TRS80 MODEL 100 core for perhaps the MiSTer FPGA system. (The MODEL I already has a core...) ------------------------ I did have to address your comment "I'm going to stick to the real thing" - my quick answer is "why not both?" My longer answer: Ultimately as cool as the TRS80 MODEL 100 is, it is a machine that remains best suited for computing needs of the 1980s. I love this form factor, and I wanted a computer in this style that could handle my contemporary computing needs. No upgrade ROM for the TRS80 M100 could ever accommodate that. The M100 still has a lot of use in my life, but it cannot replace my laptop - my model 100 can and has. I load Linux, Windows... it's a fully modern machine. I doubt any of you are using your TRS80 for all your computing needs no matter how often you use it, unless you literally limit yourselves to command line computing only, and the limitations of the M100s screen and compatibility with modern terminals is frustrating at best. The M100 was never designed to be used beyond as a "micro executive work station" and although journalists (and obviously all of you!) found a use for it - the use cases are relatively limited - and this comes from someone who uses an Apple II to check his email every day. I wanted something designed for computing specialists or people who need a lot of input/output. So while I have indeed "glommed the name" and form factor of the M100, my own design takes a new direction and brings the slab-laptop into the 21st century - with a lot of love and respect and admiration for what came before. The LCD serves best as a secondary touch bar (think apple laptop) for a large screen at home or at the office (or a portable screen!) though it is quite usable as a primary screen while on the go. So all I can say is "Why not both?" ;) -------------- I also have a Zenith laptop that is a clone of the Tandy 600. Are you guys keen on that system as well? Thank you for informing me about the REX. This is totally new to me, and I will definitely pick one up! Virtual T has been a constant companion on my own system and looks great while using the LCD that comes with my MODEL 100. Its a great way to quickly test some BASIC code before transferring it over serial port. I love connecting the two via rs232 connection, makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. I have a very big surprise for this user group when the time is right, I can't divulge any details now but it will definitely stir some interest... On Sun, Apr 11, 2021 at 6:44 PM Peter Noeth <petern0...@gmail.com> wrote: > Someone on the list discovered this a few months ago. It is not a computer > per se, just a packaged keyboard and display with modules to be connected > to a SBC (Single Board Computer) of ones own design. Bigger than a Model > 100/102/200, and unless the SBC one puts in there is Model 100 compatible, > won't run any of the Model 100 software. Just glomming onto the Model 100 > name. > > Might be a candidate for putting a SBC in that runs Virtual T, then > modifying VirtualT to take advantage of the unit's contemporary modules. > > I'll stick to the real thing with Steve's REX. > > Regards, > > Peter > >> >> Message: 1 >> Date: Sat, 10 Apr 2021 17:34:00 -0400 >> From: Jesse Lafleur <jesslafl...@gmail.com> >> To: m...@bitchin100.com >> Subject: [M100] Hello Model 100 friends! >> Message-ID: >> < >> camhyxt1wqeeixd9+6xjjnadvrjg6wpujh+05dr1wsyhxead...@mail.gmail.com> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" >> >> I found my first TRS80 Model 100 about 5 years ago and never stopped >> playing with it. I now own many accessories, two units and perhaps loved >> the unit so much, I made my own... >> >> https://ready100.com >> >> I'm not here to sell anything (I'm actually sold out right now!) but I am >> here to meet this wonderful usergroup to talk to you about RadioShack and >> READY! my spiritual successor to the TRS80 M100. >> >> I am happy to have finally found you all and I look forward to chatting! >> >> Sincerely, >> *-Jesse Lafleur* >> *READY!* >> >>
