SHARP Picture VA001 - SHARP CollectionHere you'll find a set of pictures I've taken myself featuring SHARP calculators and pocket computers from my own personal collection, together with useful details and my (hopefully interesting) anecdotes and comments on each particular model, including links to relevant materials (Articles, Brochures, Challenges) previously uploaded by me to this very site.
Also, the very first pictures in this Section feature partial views of the truly impressive collection gathered by my life-long friend Jose Luis Chinchilla (JLC). Enjoy!
SHARP Picture VA001 - SHARP Collection
This is part of the impressive and extensive SHARP calc collection assembled and maintained by my life-long friend Jose Luis Chinchilla. Mind you, the individual calcs whose pics are featured below in this Section are indeed from my very own collection.
Here you can see such models as the PC-1212, PC-1401, PC-1402, PC-1430, PC-1450 and PC-1475, among others.
SHARP Picture VA003 - SHARP Collection
This is part of the impressive and extensive SHARP calc collection assembled and maintained by my life-long friend Jose Luis Chinchilla. Mind you, the individual calcs whose pics are featured below in this Section are indeed from my very own collection.
Here you can see such models as the PC-1245, PC-1246, PC-1260, PC-1262 and PC-1360, among others.
SHARP Picture VA005 - SHARP Collection
This is part of the impressive and extensive SHARP calc collection assembled and maintained by my life-long friend Jose Luis Chinchilla. Mind you, the individual calcs whose pics are featured below in this Section are indeed from my very own collection.
Here you can see such models as the PC-1360, PC-1350, PC-1500, PC-1500A, the marvelous PC-1600 and an unrelated background HP-91 at the bottom.
SHARP Picture VA100 - SHARP EL-5100
This elegant model from 1979 is my SHARP EL-5100 in mint condition, a very rare vintage model which was presented to me and the most beautiful calculator in my 100+-strong collection hands down, just look at that big, LONG LCD display !.
It is a small, very light (120 gr.), extremely beautiful machine with a sleek metallic body and a very large 24-character display, one of the earliest dot-matrix LCD displays of the UV yellow-filter variety, still in perfect working order with no signs of bleeding despite being 43 years old as of 2022.
It was a precursor to fully programmable pocket computers (such as the SHARP PC-1211, etc.), and it has 10-digit precision, a comprehensive range of scientific and statistical functions and full algebraic logic with the capability to examine and edit your formulas in its 24-character scrolling alphanumeric display, with the formulas remaining there if you turn it off thanks to continuous memory. It has 10 memories (A to J) and 80 programmable steps for formula evaluation with full prompting. Power is supplied by 3x SR44/MR44 cells, which last for very long under normal use (power consumption: 0.001 W).
SHARP Picture VA101 - SHARP EL-5101
This elegant model from 1979 is my Sharp EL-5101 in mint condition, a very rare vintage model and one of the jewels in my collection. It is a small, very light, extremely beautiful machine with a sleek metallic body and one of the earliest dot-matrix 16-digit LCD displays, the UV yellow-filter variety, still in perfect working order despite being 43 years old as of 2022.
It has 12-digit precision and full algebraic logic, with 40 programmable steps for formula evaluation. Power is supplied by three SR44 cells, which last for very long under normal use.
SHARP Picture VA104 - SHARP EL-5101
This elegant model from 1979 is my SHARP EL-5101 in mint condition, a very rare vintage model and one of the jewels in my collection.
See the full description and other details in the link above this one.
SHARP Picture VA211 - SHARP PC-1211
This beautiful machine is the SHARP PC-1211, the very first pocket computer ever, the flagship of an extremely successful new class of computing devices which evolved into dozens of models, all very capable, with increasing RAM and expanded capabilities, including BASIC language instead of the usual low-level keystroke programming. They sold extremely well everywhere but most notably in their native Japan and in Europe, particularly in Germany. My very first one was given to me by the CEO of Microsoft, a small Spanish company (yes !), and though I owned the HP-41C at the time I was extremely pleased with this elegant model and proceeded to very quickly create about 100 programs for it, some of which you can find in the SHARP Programs section in this very site.
This first model has a 24-char. scrollable dot-matrix yellow LCD display (which was eventually replaced by the usual grey one), QWERTY keyboard, I/O connector, and 1424 bytes of RAM shared between BASIC programs and up to 178 variables plus 26 fixed ones (A-Z) for a total of up to 204 "registers", which was more than 3 times what you got with the basic HP-41C, all served by two very low-power 4-bit CMOS CPUs (SC43177 and SC43178 processors at 256 kHz) which ran for several months under typical use.
Comparing it versus my HP-41C was a given and you can read all about it in this article I wrote, which includes a very thorough comparison and extensively describes its many capabilities:
Know Thy Foe: A New Contender, (full details & comparison vs. the HP-41C, includes 6 nice programs for the PC-1211 and 2 for the HP-41C)
Also, have a look at the following programs I wrote for the SHARP PC-1211:
Finding Roots of Equations, (2 pages, finds roots of an arbitrary equation f(x)=0 using Newton’s method)
3-point Gaussian Integration, (2 pages, evaluates the definite integral of a function between given limits using the 3-point Gauss-Legendre formula applied over N subintervals)
Multiprecision Factorial, (2 pages, computes the exact multiprecision value of N! for a given N)
NxN Matrix Inversion, (2 pages, computes the inverse of a given NxN matrix, up to 13x13)
Multiprecision E, (2 pages, computes up to 572 digits of Euler's constant e =2.71828+)
Mate w King Bishop Knight Practice, (7 pages, helps the user practice the difficult basic checkmate King, Bishop, Knight vs. King)
Truth Tables Generator, (3 pages, generates truth tables for logical expressions having 3 or 4 logical variables, recognizing tautologies and contradictions)
SHARP Picture VA212 - SHARP PC-1211
This beautiful machine is the SHARP PC-1211, the very first pocket computer ever.
See the full description and other details in the link above this one.
SHARP Picture VA221 - TRS-80 PC
This is a close-up of my TRS-80 Pocket Computer, which is identical to the SHARP PC-1211 except for very slight cosmetic changes and the re-branded logo. When subsequent models of the TRS-80 PC line arrived, this one was referred to as TRS-80 PC-1 but it's always the same machine.
See the full description and other details in the links for the SHARP PC-1211 above this one.
SHARP Picture VA222 - TRS-80 PC leather case
This is a leather-like case for the TRS-80 Pocket Computer (a re-branded SHARP PC-1211) which also fits all models of the SHARP PC-121x Series, i.e.: PC-1210, PC-1211 and PC-1212. It's well made, fits perfectly with enough spare space for a couple of overlays, and keeps the valuable machines well protected, even against accidental table-heigth falls to the floor.
See the full descriptions for the related pockets computers and other details in the links above this one.
SHARP Picture VA223 - SHARP PC-1211 ruined LCD
This is a SHARP PC-1211 pocket computer showing a ruined yellow LCD display. This possible (and very likely) failure is what prompted SHARP to issue a new model, the SHARP PC-1212, which is virtually identical in all respects to the PC-1211 but features a new now-standard grey LCD much less prone to this "LCD bleeding" failure, if at all.
Despite the horrible look, the machine actually works Ok and the alphanumeric characters in the display are quite readable. However, the blackened borders do impair the legibility somewhat and the annunciators are pretty hard to distinguish. It can still be used, though, and as far as I know it's not repairable except by replacing the whole yellow LCD display.
See the SHARP PC-1211 full description and other details in the links above this one.
SHARP Picture VA245 - SHARP PC-1246 Manual (as Tandy PC-8)%20-%20DSC02325.jpg)
This is the Operation Manual for my SHARP PC-1246 pocket computer (as Tandy PC-8).
See the full description and other details in the link below this one.
SHARP Picture VA246 - SHARP PC-1246
This is my SHARP PC-1246, released in 1984 (thus 38 years old as of 2022) and also marketed as Tandy Radio Shack PC-8, a very small (palm-sized, 95 gr.) but very capable pocket (literally!) computer, with a decent version of BASIC, 16-character contrast-adjustable LCD display, 2 Kb of RAM, a CMOS CPU running at 1 Mhz and, as usual for SHARP models, interface to a printer and tape storage.
Compatible with many other SHARP models and pretty inexpensive, it made a good choice to carry at all times for easy, powerful computing on the go, anywhere.
SHARP Picture VA247 - SHARP PC-1247
This is my SHARP PC-1247, a very small, lightweight (95 grams) pocket computer which is a twin of the SHARP PC-1246 (see link above for details) but fitted with double the memory, 4 Kb instead of 2 Kb.
It has the same physical characteristics of its sibling, namely a 4-bit CMOS CPU (SC61720D03) which runs at 1 Mhz on two CR-2032 batteries, 1-line, 16 character text-only LCD display with adjustable contrast, a capable BASIC interpreter compatible with many other SHARP models, and continuous memory. It can also connect to the usual SHARP peripherals (printer, mass storage, etc.).
Nothing remarkable over other SHARP models but its very small size, light weight, good BASIC and 4 Kb of RAM make it an useful on-the-go computing device to carry with you at all times.
SHARP Picture VA248 - SHARP PC-1247
This is my SHARP PC-1247, a very small, lightweight pocket computer which is a twin of the SHARP PC-1246 but fitted with double the memory, 4 Kb instead of 2 Kb.
See the full description and other details in the link above this one.
SHARP Picture VA251 - SHARP PC-1250A
This is my SHARP PC-1250A, a very small and lightweight (115 grams) but capable pocket computer programable in BASIC. This really fits in a pocket but nevertheless has 4 Kb RAM, an 8-bit CMOS CPU for low battery consumption, a 24-char dot-matrix LCD display, a good Level 2 BASIC dialect compatible with many other SHARP (and TRS) models and of course an interface to printer, tape storage and other standard SHARP peripherals.
As you can see, this one came fitted within its original SHARP foldable wallet-like case, including a couple of semi-transparent overlays where you can write your own labels, to be placed over the two bottom rows of keys for instant access to your very own custom programs: you simply press [DEF][A], say, to run the program labeled as "A", etc. Further, this particular model was a version especially intended for students and came with some appealing documentation, including a fantastic tutorial, all in a very nice box at an affordable price. Truly awesome !
SHARP Picture VA254 - SHARP PC-1250A
This is a SHARP PC-1250A, a very small pocket computer programable in BASIC.
See the full description and other details in the link above this one.
SHARP Picture VA255 - SHARP PC-1251
This is my SHARP PC-1251, a small pocket computer released in 1982, but also rebranded as the Tandy TRS-80 Pocket Computer 3. It has a 1-line 24-character LCD text-only display, the usual excellent BASIC compatible with many other SHARP models, 4 Kb of RAM, a CMOS CPU running at 576 kHz, and it can connect to the usual SHARP peripherals (printer, mass storage, etc.).
Actually, the unit I have came fitted with a microcassete recorder + printer docking bay, also very small and lightweight, which makes for a very comfortable and effective computing environment when at your desk, while the detached calculator is eminently portable when on the go.
SHARP Picture VA260 - SHARP PC-1260
This is my SHARP PC-1260, a very small and lightweight but capable pocket computer released in 1984 and programable in a good BASIC dialect, very similar to the PC-1251 but 33% faster and with a 2-line x 24-char. LCD display, which enormously enhances usability. Again, it perfectly fits in a pocket but nevertheless has 4 Kb RAM, an 8-bit CMOS CPU for low battery consumption, it's compatible with many other SHARP/TRS models and, as usual, interfaces to all standard SHARP peripherals, including the essential mass storage and printer.
This model and its siblings PC-1261 and PC-1262 are about the best you can have in terms of utmost portability (being so small and light) and capabilities, with such a large display (48 char. in all), advanced BASIC, lots of RAM for the kind of uses you'll typically put it through, and good I/O functionality, all in your pocket. About the only caveat is that the keys are perhaps a little too small but one can eventually manage. A must !
SHARP Picture VA261 - SHARP PC-1260
This is my SHARP PC-1260, a very small and lightweight but capable pocket computer programable in BASIC.
See the full description and other details in the link above this one.
SHARP Picture VA355 - SHARP PC-1350 
This is one of my SHARP PC-1350, a truly excellent pocket computer released in 1984.
The PC-1350 is almost a twin of the somewhat more capable PC-1360 and thus it boasts the same awesome 4-line x 24-char graphic display (150x32) which makes very light work of entering and editing programs, as demonstrated by the version of my Othello program which I wrote for it and which you can see running in this picture. The game is easy to play directly in the virtual board without needing either a printer or a physical board.
Besides the large display, it has one slot for removable, battery-powered RAM cards (2 Kb to 32 Kb each), a very good Level 2 BASIC with 2-dimensional arrays, graphics statements and functions, I/O to the usual peripherals, including floppy drives, and lots more. This is one of only two physical calculators I still use day to day.
Have a look at the following programs I wrote for the SHARP PC-1350/1360:
Producing Digits of Pi one at a time, (2 pages, implements a spigot algorithm to produce digits of Pi one at a time.)
An Othello Game Playing Program, (12 pages, plays Othello (aka Reversi) vs. the user. Displays the graphic board and allows cursor or coordinate entries)
SHARP Picture VA356 - SHARP PC-1350
This is one of my SHARP PC-1350, a truly excellent pocket computer released in 1984. You can see it running a version of my Othello program that I wrote specifically for it.
See the full description and other details in the link above this one.
SHARP Picture VA357 - SHARP PC-1350
This is one of my SHARP PC-1350, a truly excellent pocket computer released in 1984. In its big display you can see running a version of my Othello program which I wrote specifically for it, while the Samsung tablet nearby shows a screenful of the fully commented source code for the Othello program, two amazing instances of state-of-the-art technology separated by no less than 34 years !.
See the full description and other details in the links above.
SHARP Picture VA360 - SHARP PC-1360
This is one of my SHARP PC-1360, a customized version (it even has a serial number at the top) which came with a 16 Kb RAM card plugged in, which obviously held the customized program itself, plus a printed manual detailing how to use it. Regrettably, the manual is in German so I could make neither heads nor tails about the customized program's purpose, nor could I get a hint by looking at the printed labels in the keyboard, it can be anything from agricultural mixes to anti-aircraft computations.
The PC-1360 itself, regardless of customization, is a wonderful pocket computer. It's thin, lightweight, and has an incredibly useful 4-line x 24-char graphic display (150x32) which makes entering and editing programs a breeze. Same for manual calculations, the well-known HP Match number example (originally tailored to show RPN's power) fits in the screen whole, without needing any scroll whatsoever so you get perfect feedback on whether you're keying it in correctly or not. As for the graphics, I wrote a version of my Othello program for it and its twin, the SHARP-1350, which plays perfectly without needing either a printer or a physical board, the virtual one drawn on the large display is perfect to play.
In addition to the large display, it has 2 slots for removable, battery-powered RAM cards (2 Kb to 32 Kb each), a very good Level 2 BASIC, I/O to the usual peripherals, including floppy drives, and many more. Matter of fact, this (or its twin, the PC-1350) is one of only two physical calculators I still use day to day.
Have a look at the following programs I wrote for the SHARP PC-1350/1360:
Producing Digits of Pi one at a time, (2 pages, implements a spigot algorithm to produce digits of Pi one at a time.)
An Othello Game Playing Program, (12 pages, plays Othello (aka Reversi) vs. the user. Displays the graphic board and allows cursor or coordinate entries)
SHARP Picture VA450 - SHARP PC-1450
This is my SHARP PC-1450 pocket computer, a typical mid-range one with up to 16 Kb RAM (provided by a RAM card of 2, 4, 8 or 16 Kb) and a decent BASIC interpreter. The display is a text-only dot-matrix LCD with 1 line of 16 characters and the unit is quite slim at 16 mm. thick and lightweight at 175 grams.
It needs 2 standard CR-2032 batteries which last for a couple of months under normal use thanks to its low-power 8-bit CMOS CPU, plus it can connect to all the usual SHARP peripherals (printer, mass storage, etc). All in all, quite unremarkable compared with other pocket computers but nice and quite capable nevertheless.
SHARP Picture VA451 - SHARP PC-1450
This is my SHARP PC-1450 pocket computer, a typical mid-range one with up to 16 Kb RAM (provided by a RAM card of 2, 4, 8 or 16 Kb) and a decent BASIC interpreter.
See the full description and other details in the link above this one.
SHARP Picture VA475 - SHARP PC-1475
This model, released ca. 1987, is my SHARP PC-1475, a beautiful and powerful pocket computer capable of working with double-precision values (20-digit to the user, 24-digit internally).
It's a very capable machine, with an 8-bit CPU running at 768 Khz, 2-line x 24-character LCD display, RAM extensible via 1 or 2 RAM cards (up to 32 Kb each, with their own battery so they retain their contents when unplugged) and the usual peripherals for SHARP models (printer, plotter, tape, floppy, RS-232).
It can be programmed in a suitably extended version of BASIC (with double-precision constants, variables, arithmetic and functions) but can also be comfortably used as a scientific calculator, having the usual matrix operations (inverse, determinant, systems of equations, etc.) built in and statistics as well.
SHARP Picture VA476 - SHARP PC-1475
This model, released ca. 1987, is my SHARP PC-1475, a beautiful and powerful pocket computer capable of working with double-precision values (20-digit to the user, 24-digit internally).
See the full description and other details in the link above this one.
SHARP Picture VA510 - SHARP PC-1500A Applications Manual
This is the Applications Manual for a SHARP PC-1500A, a machine very similar to my TRS-80 PC-2, an extremely popular pocket computer.
See the description and details in the link below.
SHARP Picture VA580 - SHARP PC-1500 (as TRS-80 PC-2)%20-%20DSC02375.jpg)
This TRS-80 PC-2 is simply a rebadged SHARP PC-1500, released in 1981-1985 and an extremely popular pocket computer. See the description and details in the link above.
SHARP Picture VA829 - SHARP EL-8029
My SHARP EL-8029, a nice, little (55 gram) basic calculator released in 1976. It's like a big pen (including shirt-pocket clip), 14 cm long and 1.3 cm thick when closed, and opens to revel an 8-digit segmented LCD display and a two-row, 20-key keyboard, including the usual four functions plus percentage and square root but no memory register.
No Off button but it powers down automatically after a few minutes of inactivity, though with a power consumption as low as 0.00036 W its 2 button batteries last for ages. All in all, a nice little vintage gadget.
SHARP Picture VA830 - SHARP EL-8029
My SHARP EL-8029, a nice, little basic calculator released in 1976, in the shape of a big pen.
See the full description and other details in the link above this one.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
These articles, programs, pictures, their descriptions and other materials created by me
are (c) Valentin Albillo, and can be used freely for non-profit purposes
as long as (1) the contents aren't modified in any way and (2) the copyright is acknowledged.
In plain words, you can download them and use them for non-profit purposes but do not include
them in any media and/or site for which you're asking money, do not tamper with their contents and
do not say or imply that you created them or that you don't know who created them, you must
always give due credit to me.