Sharp PC-1500

The Sharp PC-1500 was a pocket computer produced by Sharp between 1981 and 1985. A rebadged version was also sold as the TRS-80 Pocket Computer PC-2.

The whole computer was designed around the LH5801, an 8-bit CPU similar to the Zilog Z80, but all laid-out in power-saving CMOS circuits. Equipped with 2 KB of on-board RAM, the programming language is BASIC. Later, German engineers provided an assembler for the machine. Later even a C compiler followed. An external slot is available and accepts memory (from 4 KB to 32 KB) and ROM modules.

Eight versions of this pocket computer with 2 KB memory:
 * Sharp PC-1500 - Japanese version (1981)
 * Sharp PC-1500 - Japanese version with blue paint around LCD. CE-157 Kana module bundle model. Known as PC-1500D (1984)
 * Sharp PC-1500 - European, Australasian and North American version (1982)
 * Sharp PC-1500 RP2 - Brazilian version (1982)
 * HiradasTechnika PTA-4000 - Hungarian licence.
 * HiradasTechnika PTA-4000+16 - Hungarian licence (with internal 16 KB memory extension)
 * Tandy TRS-80 PC-2
 * Nanfeng PC-1500A - Chinese license (CKD assembly from Japanese components)

Two versions with 8 KB memory:
 * Sharp PC-1501 - Japanese rework with 8 KB memory (1984)
 * Sharp PC-1500A - Western rework with 8 KB memory (1984)

Technical specifications

 * 156×8 pixel LCD
 * Integrated speaker
 * Integrated RTC
 * Memory/cartridge slot
 * 60-pin expansion port for printer and tape drive
 * Battery slot (4×AA)
 * Connector for external power supply (Official adaptor is Sharp EA-150, rated at 500 mA at 9 V, comes with the CE-150 printer interface.)

Accessories
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 * CE-150 4-colour printer/plotter and cassette interface in travel case. Known as KA-160 with PTA-4000.
 * CE-151 4 KB memory module
 * CE-152 Cassette recorder (as external storage) (same as General Electric 3-5160A )
 * CE-153 Software board
 * CE-154 Wallet dedicated to PC-1500 + CE-150 + CE-152 + CE-153
 * CE-155 8 KB memory module
 * CE-156 Tape with Katakana software
 * CE-157 4 KB memory module with CR2032 battery data backup and Katakana chars ROM
 * CE-158 Communication dock with RS-232C and parallel interface with (4 rechargeable, shrink-wrapped, permanently built-in) NiCd battery (AA) as additional power supply for the computer.
 * CE-159 8 KB memory module with CR2032 battery data backup
 * CE-160 7.6 KB read only memory module with CR2032 battery data backup
 * CE-161 16 KB memory module with CR2032 battery data backup
 * CE-162E Tape and parallel port interface
 * CE-163 32 KB (2x16 KB) dual-page memory module with CR2032 battery data backup. Only one page (16 KB) can be accessed at a time, switchable via the following command in PROG mode:

Related Sharp pocket computers

 * Sharp PC-1210
 * Sharp PC-1211
 * Sharp PC-1251
 * Sharp PC-1500
 * Sharp PC-1500A upgrade version with 8 KB onboard RAM
 * Sharp PC-1501 Japanese version of PC-1500A
 * Sharp PC-1600 with more memory and larger multi-line LCD display and more graphics capabilities

BASIC compatibility with early models
Some earlier model PC-1500s will show a value 1 less in the FOR...NEXT counter on exiting the loop compared to later PC-1500s and the PC-1600.

For example:

K will be set to 11 on later model PC-1500s and PC-1600s, but will be 10 on early PC-1500s.

Consider this example:

S will be set to 3 on later model PC-1500s and PC-1600s, but will be 4 on early PC-1500s.

Early model PC-1500s evaluate IF...THEN statements differently. The behaviour can be summarised thus:

An early model PC-1500 can be detected by using the command:.

If the value returned is 6, it is an early model.

Example program in BASIC
The PC-1500 allows special abbreviations, and the syntax can also look as follows:

Usage of variables
P = Purchase Price V = VAT (%/100)    - To be input by hand before calculation begins, e.g.: V=1.14 (Enter) M = Markup (%/100) - To be input by hand before calculation begins, e.g.: M=1.15 (Enter)

Display of the answers are as follows
Answer1;           Answer2;         Answer3 Purchase Price;    VAT Price;       Sales Price Value: P;          Value: P*V;      Value: P*V*M

Significance
The design of initial prototypes of EMKE series of public transport cash registers were built around customized versions of the PC-1500 and its Hungarian clone PTA-4000. The series production models used almost exclusively in Hungarian regional and national bus services up to present day, are built around a version designed by EMKE and are heavily influenced by the PC-1500 design.

Emulation
With the SHARP PC-1500A emulator and the PockEmul you can emulate a PC-1500A.