The Model 4P was the transportable version of the Model 4.
Apart from the case and display sizes, technical features were almost identical to the Model 4's. The dual half-sized floppy drives were still single-sided versions but the keyboard, which slided underneath the computer, was far better than the one of the desktop version.
The external floppy drive connector was removed, as well as the Model 3 ROM, but a ROM image could be loaded from diskette to run Model 3 programs. An optional 300-baud modem could be also installed into the machine.
Very late models had double-sided TEAC drives.
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Further information from Greg Trotter
I used a Model 4P for many years. It was pretty much identical to the Model 4 in functionality, except for:
- Portability, of course
- No Model III ROM (but you could load an image of the ROM into the RAM and reboot, giving perfect compatibility)
- It did have a modem card slot, except that the card edge provided power only; the outward face of the card had a short DC-25 serial cable, just long enough to get to the serial port of the 4P.
- There was no cassette interface on the 4P.
- The keyboard was indeed superior; I liked it better because it was corded and could be moved to any angle.
Of course, portable just meant "easier to transport." The entire unit weighed about 28 pounds, if I remember correctly. I lugged it through airports, and it fit quite comfortably in the overhead bin.
Please consider donating your old computer / videogame system to Old-Computers.com or one of our partners from anywhere in the world (Europe, America, Asia, etc.).
Trs80 model 4p for sale
Monday 4th June 2018
Steve mills (Corvallis or)
I own a 4P myself, and thought I would add some more specific technical details -
The 180K disk drives it uses are Tandon brand drives, model TM50-1, belt-driven. The Z80A CPU is SGS Thompson branded, model Z8400AB1.
Sunday 1st April 2018
CJ (Virginia)
Unbelievably, I actually have the original cardboard box for a TRS 80 model 4P that I recovered from my folks attic where it sat undisturbed for decades. The internal packing material is long gone, but the box itself is in very good shape. I was going to flatten it and recycle it unless someone wants it. Any takers?
Monday 17th July 2017
Jeff Gillis (united states)
NAME
TRS 80 Model 4P
MANUFACTURER
Tandy Radio Shack
TYPE
Portable
ORIGIN
U.S.A.
YEAR
October 1983
BUILT IN LANGUAGE
None
KEYBOARD
Typewriter style, 70 keys with numeric keypad and arrow keys
CPU
Z80A
SPEED
4 MHz
RAM
64 or 128 KB
ROM
4 KB
TEXT MODES
32 or 64 x 16 / 64 x 40 / 80 x 24
GRAPHIC MODES
None
COLORS
Monochrome
SOUND
Buzzer
I/O PORTS
Parallel, Serial, Expansion bus
BUILT IN MEDIA
2 x 5.25'' SS SD 180 KB floppy drives Very late models had double-sided TEAC drives
