02-01-2021, 11:53 PM
First full-sized computer with real hands-on was a TRS-80 Color circa 1981-82-ish. My uncle had one and used to set us loose on it when the folks wanted adult-time at family parties.
We had some pocket computers before and after that: A Timex Sinclair which got returned to the store when it caught fire the first time it was plugged in, a Casio something or other that refused to power-up shortly after I programmed my first dice-game on it so it went back to the store, a TI Z80 something that melted and got returned to the store, and I used a TRS-80 Pocket computer with a tape-drive and a neat little pen-based printer for a couple of years before I got My Apple ][e.
The TRS-80 Pocket Computer is in a box in my parents' basement. I powered it up a few years ago and it worked.
We had some pocket computers before and after that: A Timex Sinclair which got returned to the store when it caught fire the first time it was plugged in, a Casio something or other that refused to power-up shortly after I programmed my first dice-game on it so it went back to the store, a TI Z80 something that melted and got returned to the store, and I used a TRS-80 Pocket computer with a tape-drive and a neat little pen-based printer for a couple of years before I got My Apple ][e.
The TRS-80 Pocket Computer is in a box in my parents' basement. I powered it up a few years ago and it worked.