Well, it's that time of year again, the time when I and nearly every other male college student in the world realizes school is about to begin again and starts to panic since his stuff isn't ready to go! Well, kinda. Clothes, books, supplies, all of that stuff stayed pretty much packed in boxes since the beginning of summer, when I moved out of my dorm. So all that stuff is ready to go. But what of my technology toys, I mean tools? All of that stuff got used like crazy during summer, and now it's definitely NOT ready to pick up and move.
So what needs to move and what stays? That's the question, since bringing everything probably won't work. Note the probably- I'm not going to be living in a dorm, but an apartment with 3 other guys. I know the 3 other guys very well, so I'm not worried about stuff getting wrecked by them being careless. I'm more worried about where to store it all.
Thus far I have narrowed it down to a few key things and will bring more as needed. (or not needed, but rather wanted.) My modern HP zv6000 is actually not wanted as such, but needed for various reasons, one of which is the fact that with my current Linux OS I can change MAC address on my machine. This is crucial since my other internet-enabled devices (Lantronix + Apple II) have one fixed MAC address and also don't support anything like Javascript, which is needed to authenticate on the stupid university routers. So I authenticate with the Lantonix's MAC on my HP, then change MAC on my HP to it's own address again, and connect as usual. Of course, can you contact the Tech Dept. and just give them a MAC you need authenticated? No, they "don't have access to that info" and "can't change it directly," even though I know for a fact they regularily go through the list and bump off people the RIAA says are pirating things.
Of course the Tandy 102 comes. I actually need that one for school, but it helps that I actually enjoy using it for things too. And all the accessories come too, printer, cassette drive, etc. If I could find a disk drive that would come too. The Apple II and Lantronix are coming along as a pair to be my online workhorse machine and Linux terminal. And my pristine NES and game collection comes too, because it's in it's original box (makes moving easy!) and I really like having it around. The Atari 2600 and Colecovision are staying with my parents, because I don't use them much. (haven't touched the Atari in 4 years)
And I guess the only other thing I have to bring is my tech tools, but where to put them? I need a toolbox. Off to Harbor Freight today to get one, and into which will go my soldering gear, micro-screwdrivers, helping hand thing, multi-meter... now where am I going to stick my oscilloscope? *sigh* And as I think about it more, I realise that the school probably doesn't want me using any of these things in their buildings. Heck, I'd probably get a citation for using that old of a computer on their networks, even though it's more secure than the piles of garbage they got in the library over there.
Showing posts with label computing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label computing. Show all posts
Friday, August 22, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Retro Challenge
Well, the time has come- I have entered the Retrochallenge '08 contest. The contest runs through the month of July. I have entered my Tandy 102 and pocket computer. I will need to get out my pocket computer and see what model it is or if it even works. I am going to be competing in the programming and hardware categories. I will be making some games and getting my computers online with some custom hardware. And of course, I am in the process of making up a website to host my code. (not that my code is going to need it's own website, it's not going to be big...) You know, so people can download it.
While I'm at it I might also mess with whatever other retro hardware I can get my hands on- time to head to the local thrift store and pick some up!
Stay tuned for more old computer hacking goodness!
While I'm at it I might also mess with whatever other retro hardware I can get my hands on- time to head to the local thrift store and pick some up!
Stay tuned for more old computer hacking goodness!
Friday, May 2, 2008
Ubuntu 8.04
Yes, before you ask, this is in fact a shameless plug for a truly great operating system.
As a Neo Retrotech Nerd, I do place a fair amount of emphasis on the NEO part. I, in fact, cannot live my life entirely in the 8-bit computing realm. I wish I could. I can't. You see, I am a university student, and at universities they make you use modern computer software for all your classes in an attempt to make you "computer competent." Yeah, sedate me again, because I'm having a hard time believing that learning how to use M$Office makes me "competent."
So, in an effort to keep from failing some of my key classes here, I keep a "modern" computer around so that I don't have to fight with the academia. But I won't. Will not. Do not. Did not. And never will use ANY Micro$oft products produced later than 1988 of any kind, at any time, in any way, on anyone's machine. So I use Ubuntu. I'm no guru-master of computers, but I know enough about Microsoft's diabolically ingenious "embrace, extend, exterminate" methodology to know that I cannot use their software. And I also don't have the know how to compile things by myself. So Ubuntu fits the bill. The new 8.04 is what a modern OS ought to be- easy to use, easy to set up, and free.
You see, it's alot like the way it used to be- easy to use, easy to set up, and free. The OS was part of the machine, not a license-encumbered monstrosity. There were no EULAs requiring you to sell your soul. And of course, software was one of those things where it was treated as individual property, not as a "licensed media." You know, that disk for your Apple II? Well, it was YOURS. And what was on it was YOURS. Even if you bought it from someone else. It just was your own property, to do with as you pleased. Period. Open Source is currently the only way to keep doing things this way. Of course, just like the guy who would give you some Apple II software on disk, the guys who make Open Source deserve a little dough too. So donate to projects like these. They support the kind of computing you love, and it takes that much money away from Micro$oft, which if they could take it they would, even if it's only $5.
As a Neo Retrotech Nerd, I do place a fair amount of emphasis on the NEO part. I, in fact, cannot live my life entirely in the 8-bit computing realm. I wish I could. I can't. You see, I am a university student, and at universities they make you use modern computer software for all your classes in an attempt to make you "computer competent." Yeah, sedate me again, because I'm having a hard time believing that learning how to use M$Office makes me "competent."
So, in an effort to keep from failing some of my key classes here, I keep a "modern" computer around so that I don't have to fight with the academia. But I won't. Will not. Do not. Did not. And never will use ANY Micro$oft products produced later than 1988 of any kind, at any time, in any way, on anyone's machine. So I use Ubuntu. I'm no guru-master of computers, but I know enough about Microsoft's diabolically ingenious "embrace, extend, exterminate" methodology to know that I cannot use their software. And I also don't have the know how to compile things by myself. So Ubuntu fits the bill. The new 8.04 is what a modern OS ought to be- easy to use, easy to set up, and free.
You see, it's alot like the way it used to be- easy to use, easy to set up, and free. The OS was part of the machine, not a license-encumbered monstrosity. There were no EULAs requiring you to sell your soul. And of course, software was one of those things where it was treated as individual property, not as a "licensed media." You know, that disk for your Apple II? Well, it was YOURS. And what was on it was YOURS. Even if you bought it from someone else. It just was your own property, to do with as you pleased. Period. Open Source is currently the only way to keep doing things this way. Of course, just like the guy who would give you some Apple II software on disk, the guys who make Open Source deserve a little dough too. So donate to projects like these. They support the kind of computing you love, and it takes that much money away from Micro$oft, which if they could take it they would, even if it's only $5.
Friday, April 18, 2008
The reto systems I have
A buddy of mine asked the other day "How many old computer things do you have anyway?"
Well, I guess I forgot to mention that here, so I'll post what I told him.
I currently have, in no particular order:
Currently on my retro wish-list is an Apple IIe, with color monitor, double disk drives and an 80 column card (the same system I had in 3rd grade) and also a VT100 or similar vintage DEC data terminal. And although it's not retro equipment I would like to get a universal device server like a Lantronix UDS10 in order to hook my retro machines to the internet.
Well, I guess I forgot to mention that here, so I'll post what I told him.
I currently have, in no particular order:
- Tandy 102 laptop
- Atari 2600
- Colecovision
- NES, restored to mint condition, with boxes etc.
- Several Pentium 1, 486, and 386 systems, in various states of repair
- A Tandy 1100HD laptop, used to work but now in the process of being fixed
- and though it's not a computer, I have a very nice Okidata 182 Turbo, recently refurbished, which I use for all my retro printing needs
Currently on my retro wish-list is an Apple IIe, with color monitor, double disk drives and an 80 column card (the same system I had in 3rd grade) and also a VT100 or similar vintage DEC data terminal. And although it's not retro equipment I would like to get a universal device server like a Lantronix UDS10 in order to hook my retro machines to the internet.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
The care and feeding of your retro hardware
If you are the owner of a retro computer your machine will thank you for reading this.
Well, as we al know, the bane of retro computing is precisely that the computers are, well, old. And we all know that when equipment gets old it gets broken. It's a sad fact, but it happens. If you are a neophyte to the world of retro computing you need to know how to take care of these machines in order to keep them running. Don't worry, it's not really hard to do the normal maintenance chores these machines require. Also, these tips should work well for other somewhat newer computers which might be considered obsolete but which you might want to take care of and get them running again.
1. Do your homework: If you don't know how to use your machine, or you haven't used it in a long time and you don't remember then it's time to find the manuals. If you have them still, that is. If you don't you can usually find PDF files of all the original documentation online in various places. Also, while you're at it, you should check and see if there are other people who use machines like yours so that if you ever need help you can get some. For my Tandy I visit the Club 100 website, which is filled with programs, info, and helpful people.
2. Look under the hood (carefully): Just like a used car, looking inside will reveal if anything obviously need attention. However if you don't feel comfortable doing this then find a friend who knows what he's doing. In either case, make sure you have yourself grounded before touching the insides of the computer, because static electricity kills computers. Even a static shock you can't see or feel can carry enough charge to kill your machine.
While you have the hood open look for the following obvious things that should be looked into:
3. Clean the Computer: This should again be fairly obvious, clean the computer on the outside too. A clean computer is much nicer and more fun to use than a grimy one, and you have less chance of something failing because dirt got inside. Key places to clean are around switches, the keyboard, disk drives (read up before attempting so you don't break anything) and if your computer has batteries, in the battery compartment. (to remove any corrosion) If your computer has a cartridge slot you should clean that out too. I have a special method for that which I will detail in a later post. (it's also useful for old video game systems)
4. Check the components: This one is very important. Make sure that nothing is broken or about to fail. Key culprits are power supplies, worn disk drives, and boards with older electrolytic capacitors. CRT's also sometimes need a tune-up to replace bad capacitors. You can find parts for most older machines without too much trouble, but "cap kits" for CRT's can be hard to find. I would suggest looking in places where arcade machines are repaired, as you can usually find someone who knows what he is doing and can look at your monitor and get you the right kind of replacement capacitors. When looking for parts, eBay is your friend. Alot of seller "gut" old hardware and just sell the parts, which makes your life easy. Finally, if you really care about having your computer in good shape and you can't find parts, don't be afraid to get another one to gut for parts. Usually you can find one in somewhat rougher shape without any accessories cheaply enough to warrant using it for spares.
5. Get the right software: This can make all the difference with retro computing. If you have good software a computer can be very enjoyable. The internet is full of new software for old computers. If you don't believe me just look for yourself. Games are usually very popular choices for old computers. Many old machines can be modified to do some rudimentary online tasks, and usually people develop ways to transfer data between the old computer and new ones. The worst thing you can do to your old computer is never use it once you've fixed it up because it doesn't do anything useful or fun.
Well, you read all the way through my long-winded article! Good for you! Now get off your rear and have some fun with your old computer!
Well, as we al know, the bane of retro computing is precisely that the computers are, well, old. And we all know that when equipment gets old it gets broken. It's a sad fact, but it happens. If you are a neophyte to the world of retro computing you need to know how to take care of these machines in order to keep them running. Don't worry, it's not really hard to do the normal maintenance chores these machines require. Also, these tips should work well for other somewhat newer computers which might be considered obsolete but which you might want to take care of and get them running again.
1. Do your homework: If you don't know how to use your machine, or you haven't used it in a long time and you don't remember then it's time to find the manuals. If you have them still, that is. If you don't you can usually find PDF files of all the original documentation online in various places. Also, while you're at it, you should check and see if there are other people who use machines like yours so that if you ever need help you can get some. For my Tandy I visit the Club 100 website, which is filled with programs, info, and helpful people.
2. Look under the hood (carefully): Just like a used car, looking inside will reveal if anything obviously need attention. However if you don't feel comfortable doing this then find a friend who knows what he's doing. In either case, make sure you have yourself grounded before touching the insides of the computer, because static electricity kills computers. Even a static shock you can't see or feel can carry enough charge to kill your machine.
While you have the hood open look for the following obvious things that should be looked into:
- loose parts or screws
- anything obviously broken
- corrosion
- black "scorch" marks around chips or heat sinks
- missing pieces
3. Clean the Computer: This should again be fairly obvious, clean the computer on the outside too. A clean computer is much nicer and more fun to use than a grimy one, and you have less chance of something failing because dirt got inside. Key places to clean are around switches, the keyboard, disk drives (read up before attempting so you don't break anything) and if your computer has batteries, in the battery compartment. (to remove any corrosion) If your computer has a cartridge slot you should clean that out too. I have a special method for that which I will detail in a later post. (it's also useful for old video game systems)
4. Check the components: This one is very important. Make sure that nothing is broken or about to fail. Key culprits are power supplies, worn disk drives, and boards with older electrolytic capacitors. CRT's also sometimes need a tune-up to replace bad capacitors. You can find parts for most older machines without too much trouble, but "cap kits" for CRT's can be hard to find. I would suggest looking in places where arcade machines are repaired, as you can usually find someone who knows what he is doing and can look at your monitor and get you the right kind of replacement capacitors. When looking for parts, eBay is your friend. Alot of seller "gut" old hardware and just sell the parts, which makes your life easy. Finally, if you really care about having your computer in good shape and you can't find parts, don't be afraid to get another one to gut for parts. Usually you can find one in somewhat rougher shape without any accessories cheaply enough to warrant using it for spares.
5. Get the right software: This can make all the difference with retro computing. If you have good software a computer can be very enjoyable. The internet is full of new software for old computers. If you don't believe me just look for yourself. Games are usually very popular choices for old computers. Many old machines can be modified to do some rudimentary online tasks, and usually people develop ways to transfer data between the old computer and new ones. The worst thing you can do to your old computer is never use it once you've fixed it up because it doesn't do anything useful or fun.
Well, you read all the way through my long-winded article! Good for you! Now get off your rear and have some fun with your old computer!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
About the Neo...
Well, for those who don't know their linguistics too good, "neo" is Greek for new. Basically the reason I am the Neo Retrotech Nerd is that I am not from the Retro-computing era. My first computer (Apple IIe) was older than I was. My current retro computer (Tandy 102) is older than I am too.
OK, here is what I am coming to- This whole retro technology thing is not nostalgia for me. I am devoted to this stuff because of something else entirely. It comes down to three big things:
1- aesthetics. The retro technology and hardware has an appeal to it. It has character, something from another era. Modern technology is all so much the same; case mods aren't new anymore- everyone has a window and blue lights on his computer now. Laptops all look the same, no innovation there. Cell phones? Don't even get me started, abysmal design, they are all so much alike it's scary. No really, I really don't need another piece of closed-source contract-controlled crap that looks like a piece of candy and poisons my conscience. Seriously, what happened to building your hardware unique? There was only one ZX Spectum. There was only one Atari 2600. There was only one Tandy "Model T. "
2- simplicity. Another gripe of mine- why does everything have to do everything? Seriously Apple (yes, APPLE, I used to love you, not any more!!) why does your newest and greatest iThing have to do everything?!? No, I do not need a device which can check email, browse the web, play music, show maps, get fax, phone, and text messages, take pictures, show pictures, play games, comb my hair, and give me a manicure. Of course, Microsoft, copycats that they are, had to go and do the same thing with their ZUNE. But Microsoft has always led the way in making things more complex than they have to be. Who gave them permission to re-invent the wheel every single time they make a new product? Make a device which does one thing- ONE THING, and make it do it's job well. Atari- the 2600 plays games. Tandy- the 102 does documents. Amiga- their whole series consists of multimedia powerhouses. Newton- it's a notepad. CD player- self explanatory. Remember the rule of complexity- the more complex it is the more likely it is to break. Microsoft would do well to learn this before they make another big mistake like Vista.
3. freedom of information. This is the big one. What good is your technology if it's all locked up? Yeah, those new computers look cool alright, and they can do some cool things. But what if I want to change something? Nope, no source code, not even a GUI configuration for most things. I want to make my own program to work with the hardware? No, you'll need to get around our API, or just use another OS, too bad. I want to find out how something ticks? No way Jose, that's our intellectual property! You dare to suggest looking at how it works!? Seriously folks, does Ford seal their car hoods closed so you can't look at the insides? Do they? I want to know what's going on inside, so if anything breaks I might be able to fix it myself. Besides, no sensible car owner gets a car without a basic understanding of what it's doing. You need to know things like changing the oil, changing tires, changing belts, checking for signs of wear, and other things. My computer gets used more than I would ever use a car, and I put alot of very important things on it- I need to know these things. Linux and the other open source OS's are the closest you can get to this nowadays, but back in the day you got all this and then some up front in the manuals. If you wanted they'd even show you such things as memory mappings, the API, reserved system calls, even, *gasp*, the source for the BIOS and the OS!
So yeah, my passion has nothing to do with nostalgia. It's just that I'm picky, and they don't make 'em like they used to.
OK, here is what I am coming to- This whole retro technology thing is not nostalgia for me. I am devoted to this stuff because of something else entirely. It comes down to three big things:
1- aesthetics. The retro technology and hardware has an appeal to it. It has character, something from another era. Modern technology is all so much the same; case mods aren't new anymore- everyone has a window and blue lights on his computer now. Laptops all look the same, no innovation there. Cell phones? Don't even get me started, abysmal design, they are all so much alike it's scary. No really, I really don't need another piece of closed-source contract-controlled crap that looks like a piece of candy and poisons my conscience. Seriously, what happened to building your hardware unique? There was only one ZX Spectum. There was only one Atari 2600. There was only one Tandy "Model T. "
2- simplicity. Another gripe of mine- why does everything have to do everything? Seriously Apple (yes, APPLE, I used to love you, not any more!!) why does your newest and greatest iThing have to do everything?!? No, I do not need a device which can check email, browse the web, play music, show maps, get fax, phone, and text messages, take pictures, show pictures, play games, comb my hair, and give me a manicure. Of course, Microsoft, copycats that they are, had to go and do the same thing with their ZUNE. But Microsoft has always led the way in making things more complex than they have to be. Who gave them permission to re-invent the wheel every single time they make a new product? Make a device which does one thing- ONE THING, and make it do it's job well. Atari- the 2600 plays games. Tandy- the 102 does documents. Amiga- their whole series consists of multimedia powerhouses. Newton- it's a notepad. CD player- self explanatory. Remember the rule of complexity- the more complex it is the more likely it is to break. Microsoft would do well to learn this before they make another big mistake like Vista.
3. freedom of information. This is the big one. What good is your technology if it's all locked up? Yeah, those new computers look cool alright, and they can do some cool things. But what if I want to change something? Nope, no source code, not even a GUI configuration for most things. I want to make my own program to work with the hardware? No, you'll need to get around our API, or just use another OS, too bad. I want to find out how something ticks? No way Jose, that's our intellectual property! You dare to suggest looking at how it works!? Seriously folks, does Ford seal their car hoods closed so you can't look at the insides? Do they? I want to know what's going on inside, so if anything breaks I might be able to fix it myself. Besides, no sensible car owner gets a car without a basic understanding of what it's doing. You need to know things like changing the oil, changing tires, changing belts, checking for signs of wear, and other things. My computer gets used more than I would ever use a car, and I put alot of very important things on it- I need to know these things. Linux and the other open source OS's are the closest you can get to this nowadays, but back in the day you got all this and then some up front in the manuals. If you wanted they'd even show you such things as memory mappings, the API, reserved system calls, even, *gasp*, the source for the BIOS and the OS!
So yeah, my passion has nothing to do with nostalgia. It's just that I'm picky, and they don't make 'em like they used to.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Time to start the Challenge!
It's time to start the next retro-challenge! Unfortunately my retro-challenge won't be official, because there isn't one going on right now. However, it's the 25th Anniversary of my favorite retro computer, and I think now is a great time to give it some coverage.
It's called the Tandy 102, and it's an upgrade of the very famous and popular TRS-80 Model 100 laptop. I bought mine about a year ago off Ebay, and at the time I paid about $25 for it.
And of course, it's retro- the first Model 100's rolled off the production lines back in March of 1983. My model was introduced in 1986.
The main difference between a Model 100 and the Tandy 102 is mainly cosmetic. The 102 is slightly smaller, thinner, and also more durable. The 102 also has (IMHO) a much nicer keyboard, which is not nearly as noisy as the ones on the Model 100's. The unit only weighs a couple pounds, a mere feather compared with any modern laptop.
The 102 is also built like a tank. I have dropped mine down flights of stairs, spilled boiling liquids on it, exposed it to temperatures of nearly 35 below zero in the depths of the frigid Minnesota winter, and even accidentally squashed it underneath a pile of heavy books and a couple of loaded suitcases. It still works. In fact, the thing not only works, but still looks great too!
The displays on these beasts are very nice. They aren't very big, but they are readable in almost any light, and have an easy adjustment knob which can make them readable from nearly any angle as well. This picture is a close-up of the display, which as you can see is black and white only.
These machines are also the last machines on which Bill Gates actually wrote any operating system code, and it shows. The software boots instantaneously on power up, and I have NEVER had anything crash. Ever. Take that Windows! Of course, the software is also very gracefully simple, and does alot of thing without needing to install a single piece of software. There is an address book, scheduler, text editor, a Telecom software with a simple terminal, and of course, a realtime BASIC interpreter. I use the text editor on a daily basis to take notes for all my classes. If you look closely at the picture above you can see the programs I mentioned on the menu. I have two documents displayed there too, the files that end with the extension ".DO" The file called "TEENY.CO" is my uploading software, which lets me link to a regular computer with a serial port and transfer data back and forth.
The data transfer is critical if you plan on using this machine for more than a few days, because the best the machine can handle is 32Kb of data. (yes, that's KILOBYTES, not megabytes) The data storage is in a battery-backed RAM, which can power itself for roughly a few months without being powered on. Since all you data is in RAM you never have to save- it simply stays put until you move it or delete it. So, if I'm typing away and by batteries die I don't have to worry; all my data is perfectly safe.
Furthermore, this computer is the only one I know of which can run for a full 20 hours off it's batteries. No joke. And it only uses 4 AA's. Of course, for all you green people out there you can use rechargeable batteries which are easy to recycle that way. And of course, you can also use a wall adaptor.
Of course, it also comes with everything else you'd expect from a computer of its era and lineage. It can save to a cassette drive, or an optional Tandy Portable Disk Drive, which also runs off AA batteries. It has a printer port, an RS-232 port, a 'blazingly fast' built-in 300 baud modem, and even an expansion port for a barcode reader. And of course, no laptop would be complete without an awesome leather slipcase.
It's called the Tandy 102, and it's an upgrade of the very famous and popular TRS-80 Model 100 laptop. I bought mine about a year ago off Ebay, and at the time I paid about $25 for it.
And of course, it's retro- the first Model 100's rolled off the production lines back in March of 1983. My model was introduced in 1986.
The main difference between a Model 100 and the Tandy 102 is mainly cosmetic. The 102 is slightly smaller, thinner, and also more durable. The 102 also has (IMHO) a much nicer keyboard, which is not nearly as noisy as the ones on the Model 100's. The unit only weighs a couple pounds, a mere feather compared with any modern laptop.
The 102 is also built like a tank. I have dropped mine down flights of stairs, spilled boiling liquids on it, exposed it to temperatures of nearly 35 below zero in the depths of the frigid Minnesota winter, and even accidentally squashed it underneath a pile of heavy books and a couple of loaded suitcases. It still works. In fact, the thing not only works, but still looks great too!
The displays on these beasts are very nice. They aren't very big, but they are readable in almost any light, and have an easy adjustment knob which can make them readable from nearly any angle as well. This picture is a close-up of the display, which as you can see is black and white only.
These machines are also the last machines on which Bill Gates actually wrote any operating system code, and it shows. The software boots instantaneously on power up, and I have NEVER had anything crash. Ever. Take that Windows! Of course, the software is also very gracefully simple, and does alot of thing without needing to install a single piece of software. There is an address book, scheduler, text editor, a Telecom software with a simple terminal, and of course, a realtime BASIC interpreter. I use the text editor on a daily basis to take notes for all my classes. If you look closely at the picture above you can see the programs I mentioned on the menu. I have two documents displayed there too, the files that end with the extension ".DO" The file called "TEENY.CO" is my uploading software, which lets me link to a regular computer with a serial port and transfer data back and forth.
The data transfer is critical if you plan on using this machine for more than a few days, because the best the machine can handle is 32Kb of data. (yes, that's KILOBYTES, not megabytes) The data storage is in a battery-backed RAM, which can power itself for roughly a few months without being powered on. Since all you data is in RAM you never have to save- it simply stays put until you move it or delete it. So, if I'm typing away and by batteries die I don't have to worry; all my data is perfectly safe.
Furthermore, this computer is the only one I know of which can run for a full 20 hours off it's batteries. No joke. And it only uses 4 AA's. Of course, for all you green people out there you can use rechargeable batteries which are easy to recycle that way. And of course, you can also use a wall adaptor.
Of course, it also comes with everything else you'd expect from a computer of its era and lineage. It can save to a cassette drive, or an optional Tandy Portable Disk Drive, which also runs off AA batteries. It has a printer port, an RS-232 port, a 'blazingly fast' built-in 300 baud modem, and even an expansion port for a barcode reader. And of course, no laptop would be complete without an awesome leather slipcase.
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