What is the Tandy 600?
The Tandy 600 was the last laptop in the Radio Shack / Tandy computer family that was not based on MS-DOS. Introduced on October 28, 1985, according to Portable 100, it was designed to extend the features of the laptop line blazed by the TRS-80 Model 100 and Tandy 200 laptops. Building upon what the Tandy 200 was to the Model 100, it sported a larger screen, more powerful built in programs, and more contiguous RAM. The Tandy 600 went even farther with a built-in disk drive. Unfortunately, this all came with a hefty price tag ($1599 – $2528.85 depending on configuration,) increased size (13 x 12 x 2 ,) and amplified weight (9.5 – 11 pounds with AC adapter.) When compared with the TRS-80 Model 100 (soon to be the Tandy 102) and Tandy 200, critics derided the 600 as more expensive, quite heavier, and seriously lacking in third party support. When MS-DOS laptops finally appeared in the Tandy line, the curtain closed forever on the Tandy 600 show. The 600 resembles a conventional laptop – o