View source for Sharp PC-1500

{{More citations needed|date=March 2015}}
{{Infobox information appliance
| name = Sharp PC-1500
| image = Sharp PC-1500 IMG 4255.jpg
| caption = The Sharp PC-1500 with printer/plotter and cassette interface in travel case. On display at the [[Musée Bolo]], [[École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne|EPFL]], Lausanne.
| release date = {{Start date and age|1981|df=yes}}
| discontinued = {{Start date and age|1985|df=yes}}
| lifespan = 1981-1985 (4 years)
| generation = First
| successor = [[Sharp PC-5000]]
| related = [[Sharp PC-1211]]<br>[[Sharp PC-1251]]
}}
The '''Sharp PC-1500''' was a [[pocket computer]] produced by [[Sharp Corporation|Sharp]] between 1981 and 1985. A [[Rebadging|rebadged]] version was also sold as the '''[[Tandy Pocket Computer|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&nbsp;KB of on-board RAM, the [[programming language]] is [[BASIC]]. Later, German engineers provided an [[assembly language|assembler]] for the machine.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pc-1500.info/tag/assembler/|title=Assembler Archives - PC-1500.info|last=|first=|date=|website=PC-1500.info|publisher=|access-date=2016-03-20}}</ref> Later even a [[C compiler]] followed.
An external slot is available and accepts memory (from 4&nbsp;KB to 32&nbsp;KB) and ROM modules.

Eight versions of this pocket computer with 2&nbsp;KB memory:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pc-1500.info |title = All and more about Sharp PC-1500 and Tandy PC-2}}</ref>
*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&nbsp;KB memory extension)
*Tandy TRS-80 PC-2
*Nanfeng PC-1500A - Chinese license (CKD assembly from Japanese components)

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

==Technical specifications==
*156×8 pixel LCD
*Integrated speaker
*Integrated [[Real-time clock|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&nbsp;mA at 9&nbsp;V, comes with the CE-150 printer interface.)

=== Accessories ===
*CE-150 4-colour printer/plotter and cassette interface in travel case. Known as KA-160 with PTA-4000.
*CE-151 4&nbsp;KB memory module
*CE-152 Cassette recorder (as external storage) (same as General Electric 3-5160A<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pc-1500.info/2015/03/18/ce-152-the-clone-by-general-electric/ |title = CE-152 : The clone by GENERAL ELECTRIC - PC-1500.info}}</ref>)
*CE-153 Software board
*CE-154 Wallet dedicated to PC-1500&nbsp;+ CE-150&nbsp;+ CE-152&nbsp;+ CE-153
*CE-155 8&nbsp;KB memory module
*CE-156 Tape with [[Katakana]] software
*CE-157 4&nbsp;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 battery|AA]]) as additional power supply for the computer.
*CE-159 8&nbsp;KB memory module with CR2032 battery data backup
*CE-160 7.6&nbsp;KB read only memory module with CR2032 battery data backup
*CE-161 16&nbsp;KB memory module with CR2032 battery data backup
*CE-162E Tape and parallel port interface
*CE-163 32&nbsp;KB (2x16&nbsp;KB) dual-page memory module with CR2032 battery data backup. Only one page (16&nbsp;KB) can be accessed at a time, switchable via the following command in PROG mode:
                     Page 0 : POKE&5804,0 [enter]
                     Page 1 : POKE&5804,1 [enter]

<!-- The uploaded pictures do not display yet - must be moved to commons first!
[[Image:Sharp_PC-1500_PocketComputer_01.jpg|thumb|500px|Sharp PC-1500 Pocket Computer]]
[[Image:Sharp_PC-1500__CE-155_Memory(8kB).jpg|thumb|150px|Sharp PC-1500 Memory Module (8 KB)]]
[[Image:Sharp_PC-1500__LCD_Display.jpg|thumb|400px|Sharp PC-1500, 26 alfanumeric character LCD. The six programmable function keys clearly visible, with grey background.]]
-->

==Related Sharp pocket computers==
[[File:Advanced Systems & Computer Products - Sharp PC-1500A - May 1987 Puget Sound ComputerUser advert.jpg|thumb|An advertisement for the Sharp PC-1500A from the Puget Sound ComputerUser.]]
* [[Sharp PC-1210]]
* [[Sharp PC-1211]]
* [[Sharp PC-1251]]
* Sharp PC-1500
* Sharp PC-1500A upgrade version with 8&nbsp;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.<ref>Sharp PC-1600 Operation Manual, 1986, p.355.</ref>

For example:

<syntaxhighlight lang="basic">
10 FOR K=1 TO 10
20 NEXT K
30 PRINT K
</syntaxhighlight>

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:

<syntaxhighlight lang="basic">
10 S=0
20 FOR K=1 TO 10 STEP 4
30 S=S+1
40 NEXT K
50 PRINT S
</syntaxhighlight>

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:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Model
! {{yes|True}}
! {{no|False}}
|-
| PC-1600 / Later PC-1500
| ≠0
| 0
|-
| Early PC-1500
| >0
| <0
|}

An early model PC-1500 can be detected by using the command: <syntaxhighlight lang="basic" inline>PEEK&C5C0</syntaxhighlight>.

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

==Example program in BASIC==
<syntaxhighlight lang="basic">
  1 ARUN 10
  5 REM   "PC1500 VAT Program:"
 10 INPUT "Price: ";P
 20 PRINT P;"  ";P*V;"  ";P*V*M   
 30 GOTO 10
 40 END
</syntaxhighlight>
The PC-1500 allows special abbreviations, and the syntax can also look as follows:
<syntaxhighlight lang="basic">
 20 PRINT P;"  ";PV;"  ";PVM
</syntaxhighlight>

=== 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

=== Program description ===
{{aligned table|cols=2|col1class=nowrap|class=wikitable
| Line 1  |The {{mono|ARUN}} command executes every time the computer is switched on and jumps to line 10.
| Line 5  |This is the {{mono|REMARK}} statement (used to include remarks into the source code).
| Line 10 |The {{mono|INPUT}} command asks for input from the user and stores the values in the variable "P".
| Line 20 |The {{mono|PRINT}} command shows the calculated result as follows:{{samp|&nbsp;100&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;114&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;142.5}}. The abbreviated form is special to the PC-1500, as it can only make use of single letter variables and matrixes. This also saves valuable storage space!
| Line 30 |The {{mono|GOTO}} command lets the program jump back to line 10, to continue the program over
| Line 40 |The {{mono|END}} statement is to be placed on the last line of the code to terminate execution, however in this case it can be omitted, as it is not really necessary.
}}

==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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.emkekft.hu/200/200.php |title = Emke Kereskedelmi és Szolgáltató Kft.}}</ref>

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

== See also ==
*[[Sharp pocket computer character sets]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
*<!-- <ref name="Sharp_PC1500A"> -->{{cite book |title=SHARP Taschencomputer Modell PC-1500A Bedienungsanleitung |language=German |trans-title=SHARP Pocket Computer Model PC-1500A Operation Manual |id=4LQ.3T(TINSG3993CCZZ)5 |url=http://www.pc1500.com/docs/PC1500A_Manual(DE).pdf |access-date=2017-02-25 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225095355/http://www.pc1500.com/docs/PC1500A_Manual(DE).pdf |archive-date=2017-02-25}}<!-- </ref> -->

==External links==
{{Commons category|Sharp PC-1500}}
*[http://www.rskey.org/sharp.asp Sharp Programmables]
*[http://www.rskey.org/detail.asp?manufacturer=Sharp&model=PC-1500 PC-1500 Data Sheet]
*[http://pocket.free.fr/html/sharp/pc-1500_e.html PC-1500]
*[http://www.pc1500.com/ Sharp PC-1500 computer (TRS-80 PC-2) resource page]
*[http://www.pc-1500.info/ pc-1500.info Sharp computer (and clones) resource site]
*[http://www.promsoft.com/calcs www.promsoft.com/calcs] Sharp Pocket Computers
*[https://www.emutopia.com/index.php/emulators/item/382-pocket-computers/168-pockemul PockEmul] - is a Sharp Pocket Computer emulator.
*[http://pocket.free.fr/html/soft/emul_pc-1500a_e.html] SHARP PC-1500A Emulator

{{Sharp Corporation}}
{{TRS-80 and Tandy computers}}
{{Dynabook Inc.}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Sharp pocket computers|PC-1500]]
[[Category:Sharp programmable calculators|PC-1500]]