Template:Short description
Tandy Color Computer
| Release date
|
1980 (CoCo 1), 1983 (CoCo 2), 1986 (CoCo 3)
|
Color Computer line
The Tandy Color Computer (commonly known as the CoCo) is a line of home computers produced by Tandy/Radio Shack from 1980 through 1991.
It evolved through three major revisions:
- Color Computer 1 – Original 1980 release, MC6847 VDG graphics, cassette-based.
- Color Computer 2 – Updated case and minor improvements.
- Color Computer 3 – Major 1986 refresh with 128 KB RAM, GIME chip, 320×200/640×200 graphics, OS-9 Level II support.
TRS-80 / Tandy naming confusion
|
|
; Color Computer 1 & 2
- • **North America** – Marketed as **TRS-80 Color Computer**
- • **Europe** – Also carried the **TRS-80** branding
- • **Australia / Canada** – Mixed usage (both TRS-80 and Tandy branding seen)
- Color Computer 3
- • Released **only under the Tandy brand** worldwide
- • No “TRS-80” badge, despite being a direct successor
- Other TRS-80 line (Z80-based)
- • TRS-80 Model I/III/4 were **unrelated** (Z80 CPUs, business focus)
- • CoCo line shared “TRS-80” branding early on but was technically distinct
|
Color Computer branding timeline
| Year |
Model |
North America |
Europe |
Australia/Canada |
Notes
|
| 1980 |
Color Computer 1 |
TRS-80 Color Computer |
TRS-80 Color Computer |
Mostly TRS-80 |
First 6809-based CoCo
|
| 1983 |
Color Computer 2 |
TRS-80 Color Computer |
TRS-80 Color Computer |
Mix of TRS-80 and Tandy branding |
Transitional period
|
| 1986 |
Color Computer 3 |
Tandy Color Computer 3 |
N/A |
Tandy Color Computer 3 |
No TRS-80 branding anywhere
|
- Other TRS-80 line models (Model I, III, 4, etc.) were Z80-based and not directly related to the CoCo line, despite sharing the “TRS-80” brand name at first.*
Operating Systems
- **Extended Color BASIC** (built-in).
- **OS-9 Level I/II** (Microware’s multitasking OS).
- **NitrOS-9** (modern community continuation).
- Draft OS-9 / NitrOS-9 page →
Emulation
Popular emulators include:
- XRoar – Actively developed, accurate CoCo 1/2/Dragon emulator with CoCo 3 support.
- VCC – Windows-focused CoCo 3 emulator, easier to configure.
- MAME – General-purpose emulator with CoCo drivers.
Peripherals
- **Multi-Pak Interface (MPI)** – 4-slot expansion.
- **Speech/Sound Cartridge** – 8-channel sound and speech.
- **Floppy Disk Controller (FD-502, etc.)** – 5.25" and 3.5" support.
Development
Resources
See also