Though arduous disks weren’t a standard characteristic but in lots of residence computer systems within the Nineteen Eighties, they have been changing into more and more extra inexpensive. For relative meanings of the phrase ‘inexpensive’, naturally. That is illustrated by the 12 MB HDD for the Radio Shack TRS-80 that [Clint] over at LGR not too long ago took a peek at.
Costing a cool $3,495 in 1983 – or $11,932 in 2026 USD – this 12 MB storage marvel used a Tandon TM-603 full-height 5.25″ HDD inside. Missing a working TRS-80 to strive it out with, the video is restricted to only a primary powering up and opening up of the unit, however [Clint] can be donating it to a pc museum who can hopefully put it to make use of once more.
The connection to the TRS-80 pc is dealt with by a ribbon cable, whereas the HDD has its personal built-in energy provide, rated at 60 Watt.
On the principle board for the exterior HDD controller there’s a Signetics 8X300 microprocessor that types the brains of what makes it into an exterior drive for the TRS-80. Regardless of its age, it nonetheless appears to be like model new inside, so regardless of the Rifa capacitors within the PSU, [Clint] determined to energy it on. This resulted in an auditory expertise that’s most likely greatest in comparison with a really rusty jet engine spinning up after languishing for a decade previous to spooling up for take-off.
Hopefully we’ll discover out whether or not this specific unit and its HDD are nonetheless working in 2026.
