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Tandy Corporation Press Release TC-89-032 April 10, 1989 TANDY CORPORATION INTRODUCES ADVANCED 386 CHIP COMPUTER BASED ON 386SX PROCESSOR CHICAGO -- Tandy Corporation, the leading manufacturer of PC compatibles,today introduced the Tandy 4000 SX personal computer based on the versatile 16 megahertz (MHz) Intel 386SX microprocessor. The addition of this advanced business system to Tandy's family of 386 microprocessor-based computers was made at the Spring COMDEX computer dealers show. The Tandy 4000 SX computer includes video graphics array (VGA) support and SmartDrive intelligent device electronics (IDE) storage technology. The high-performance, low-cost features of the Tandy 4000 SX computer make it an ideal stand-alone business system, powerful workstation in a connectivity environment, or a basic desktop publishing system. The advanced features of the Tandy 4000 SX system provide access to thousands of today's 8086 and 80286-based applications as well as newer, more advanced 386 CPU-based software that take advantage of the power and performance of the 386 architecture. Standard configuration of the Tandy 4000 SX computer includes one 3.5-inch, 1.44 megabyte (Mb) floppy disk drive with three additional device slots, socket for an optional 16MHz 387SX math coprocessor, four 16-bit expansion slots, VGA graphics, 200 watt power supply, 101-key enhanced keyboard with tactile feedback, keylock, asynchronous serial port, and bidirectional parallel port to support scanning devices in a desktop publishing environment. Measuring 6.25 x 15.75 x 17 inches, the Tandy 4000 SX computer is Tandy's smallest footprint 386 CPU system. Ease of use and high performance are key to the design of the Tandy 4000 SX system. A 40-pin IDE SmartDrive connector permits hard drives with integrated AT-type controllers to plug directly into the system alleviating the need to use an expansion slot for a controller. Additionally, embedded controllers provide increased performance and assure compatibility between the drive and controller. SmartDrive options for the Tandy 4000 SX computer are available in 40Mb and 80Mb capacities. The Tandy 4000 SX computer utilizes state-of-the-art, highly-reliable single in-line memory modules (SIMMs) for memory expansion. One megabyte of random access memory (RAM) is standard. Two high-speed Tandy-designed memory slots support up to 16Mb of system memory and perform data transfer rates faster than conventional 16-bit expansion slots. Expandability through three (one 3.5-inch and two 5.25-inch) front-accessible half-height device slots provide flexibility in configuring a system to the specific needs of the customer. Installation of drive options is made easier with the addition of the IDE SmartDrive connector and a rail mounting system. This design allows the user to simply slide the drive option into the slot and connect the cable. Floppy disk options include 3.5-inch, 1.44Mb or 720 kilobyte (Kb); and 5.25-inch 1.2Mb or 360Kb. For applications that demand even higher performance from a hard drive, Tandy offers Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) devices in capacities from 40Mb to 344Mb as well as a 150Mb tape drive system. The addition of a SCSI adapter enhances the performance and expandability of the 4000 SX by transferring data at speeds up to 10Mb per second while simultaneously supporting multiple mass storage systems. "Tandy continues its tradition of providing quality, easy-to-use product at an affordable price," said John V. Roach, chairman of the board, chief executive officer and president of Tandy Corporation. "The Tandy 4000 SX computer rounds out our PC-compatible product line by offering a cost-effective bridge between 286 and 386 CPU products." The Tandy 4000 SX computer will be available in late May with suggested retail prices of $2,599 for the base system without a hard drive, $3,248 for a 40Mb system, and $3,498 for an 80Mb system.