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July 25, 1990
TANDY INTRODUCES NEW HOME COMPUTER
New York City -- Tandy Corporation today introduced the
Tandy 1000 RL -- the first personal computer with unique home
management programs so practical and simple that it can become an
essential part of family life. The Tandy 1000 RL computer is a
fully integrated system of hardware and software developed with a
specific focus on the home user.
"The Tandy 1000 RL is an entirely new generation of home computer
-- one that helps manage everyday home tasks, is easy to use and
affordable," said John V. Roach, chairman of the board and chief
executive officer of Tandy Corporation.
The Tandy 1000 RL is sold at Tandy's more than 7,000 Radio Shack
stores nationwide. The price of the ready-to-use systems range
from $750 to $1,299.
"Computers have been accepted in the workplace for years, but not
in the home because they've been too hard to use and too
expensive," Roach said. "Finally, we've solved those problems."
"The Tandy 1000 RL is so easy to use that it guarantees success.
Even the novice user can be productive with the `RL' after just
15 minutes. Should they need additional help, we've established
a comprehensive program to meet our customers' needs," he said.
In addition to the computer's built-in tutorial programs, Radio
Shack personnel have been specially trained to work individually
with customers who have a question. A dedicated team of computer
experts is set up at Tandy's Fort Worth, Texas, headquarters for
store representatives to contact for quick, on-the-spot
solutions. Customers with a telephone modem can communicate with
the technicians themselves.
The Tandy 1000 RL is the result of Tandy Corporation's more than
a decade of experience as the leading maker and marketer of
personal computers. "We designed the `RL' after years of
research, program development, and an extensive focused testing
program with families in the home," Roach said.
"We learned it was not enough to deliver ease of use, flexibility
and bundled software programs, if we wanted computers accepted in
the home. People told us they don't want to create a check book
register on a spreadsheet. They want to enter a check, or
balance the checkbook, at the push of a button. That's the kind
of solutions the Tandy 1000 RL delivers," Roach stated.
The "RL" comes with 24 built-in programs developed especially to
make everyday home tasks easier. Also, it is fully PC-compatible
and will run other business and personal software programs. Its
unique comprehensive approach to the home and its ease of use has
earned it the Good Housekeeping Seal.
The specially designed home applications in the Tandy 1000 RL
include:
-- Financial Programs to itemize expenses and calculate them on
bar or pie charts; to maintain account information, record
checks and balance a checkbook; to maintain and manage stock
and investment portfolios.
-- Personal Programs to catalog collections; to maintain a
private, password-access diary; to keep an inventory of
valuable home articles for insurance; to maintain an itemized
list of possessions like jewelry; to plan trips with toll-free
telephone numbers of airlines, hotels and rental cars.
-- Kitchen Programs including a cookbook which adjusts recipes
for the number of servings; a grocery list organizer; and, a
meal planner. Sample recipes from The New Good Housekeeping
Cookbook are included.
-- Mathcard Programs to develop and calculate a personal savings
plan, determine interest rates and payments, and plan
retirement income; make 31 mathematical conversions; determine
calculations like miles-per-gallon, discounts and percentages.
-- Information Center which provides a calendar, a notepad for
family messages, important telephone numbers and a message
board for members of the family.
-- DeskMate which includes a word processor, an address book,
a draw program, and an educational computer game along with
other applications.
The Tandy 1000 RL comes with one drive for "floppy" (removable)
diskettes that automatically senses if the diskette is present,
or one floppy drive and an internal (non-removable) "hard disk"
drive. It includes the ability to record and playback speech or
sound, color video, a standard 101-key keyboard, a built-in
expansion slot, jacks for a microphone and headphone, two sockets
to add "joysticks" for playing games, and a place to plug in a
printer. An optional telephone modem will connect the user to
PC-Link, Prodigy, CompuServe or any of the many information
services available.
Another new feature enables the computer to go to "sleep." When
not in use, the "RL's" screen automatically turns off. After a
period of inactivity, the Tandy 1000 RL hard drive computer will
also turn itself off. At the touch of any key, it is instantly
ready to use, and returns to the exact place the user left. This
allows the computer to remain turned-on 24 hours a day with no
noise (there is no fan) and using no more power than a clock
radio.
The Tandy 1000 RL is available in four systems:
-- Floppy Disk Drive with monochrome monitor $749.90
-- Floppy Disk Drive with color monitor $899.90
-- Hard Disk Drive with monochrome monitor $1,149.90
-- Hard Disk Drive with color monitor $1,299.90
A limited-time, introductory offer includes a free "mouse"
($49.95 value). Prices are good at participating Radio Shack
Computer Centers, Radio Shack Stores and dealers nationwide.
--###--
PC-Link is a service mark of Quantum Computer Services, Inc.
Prodigy is a registered trademark of Prodigy Services Company.
CompuServe is a registered trademark of CompuServe, Inc.
The New Good Housekeeping Cookbook is a registered trademark of
The Good Housekeeping Institute.