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Tandy Color Computer 3 - Desktop Computer
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Tandy Color Computer 3

description Tandy Color Computer 3 Overview

The Tandy Color Computer 3, released in 1982, was a Radio Shack desktop computer featuring a MOS Technology 6502 processor and offering color graphics capabilities for its time, primarily targeting home users and education.

help Tandy Color Computer 3 FAQ

What processor does the Tandy Color Computer 3 use?

The Tandy Color Computer 3 uses a Motorola 6809 microprocessor, an enhanced 8-bit CPU that was more capable than the MOS 6502 used in many competing home computers of the era. The 6809 supported advanced addressing modes that made it popular among enthusiasts and programmers.

What year was the Tandy Color Computer 3 released?

The Tandy Color Computer 3 was released in 1986 as the final model in the Color Computer line sold through Radio Shack. It succeeded the CoCo 2 and offered significant graphics and memory improvements over earlier versions.

Can the Tandy Color Computer 3 run the OS-9 operating system?

Yes, the CoCo 3 can run Microware's OS-9, a Unix-like multitasking operating system that was a notable feature of the Color Computer platform. OS-9 took advantage of the Motorola 6809's capabilities to offer features uncommon on home computers of that era.

What graphics improvements did the CoCo 3 have over the original Color Computer?

The CoCo 3 offered significantly enhanced graphics, including an 80-column text mode (up from 32 columns on earlier models) and higher-resolution graphics modes with up to 16 simultaneous colors from an expanded palette. It also shipped with 128KB of RAM, expandable to 512KB, far exceeding the original CoCo's 16KB.

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