This video takes a detailed look at the Tandy 1000 HX personal computer from Radio Shack, one of the most popular and recognizable IBM PC compatible home computers of the late 1980s. Powered by the Intel 8088 processor and designed as part of the successful Tandy 1000 product line, the HX combined Tandy graphics and sound enhancements with an easy-to-use all-in-one system aimed at home users, students, and gamers during the golden age of DOS computing.
In this #SepTandy video, I explore the specifications and hardware features of the Tandy 1000 HX including the built-in Personal Deskmate environment, MS-DOS 2.11, expansion capabilities, keyboard cleaning and restoration, side-mounted power switch, floppy disk software loading, and the EX Plus memory expansion board. The video also features a closer look at a 1988 Radio Shack catalog showcasing original upgrade options and accessories available for the HX system.
Classic Tandy audio and gaming are demonstrated using the built-in Tandy sound hardware and the DOS version of Out Run running in Tandy 16-color graphics mode on a CM-11 RGB monitor. Future upgrade possibilities including the NEC V20 CPU, SmartWatch+ real-time clock, and CompactFlash hard drive solutions are also discussed.
For retro PC enthusiasts, DOS gaming fans, and collectors of Radio Shack computer hardware, the Tandy 1000 HX remains an iconic example of late 1980s home computing and one of the most beloved systems in the Tandy 1000 family.