LNW-80

LNW-80

Manufacturer	LNW Research
Release date	1982; 43 years ago (1982)
Discontinued	1984; 41 years ago (1984)
Operating system	TRSDOS, CP/M
CPU	Z-80A @ 1.77 or 4 MHz
Memory	48 KB
Display	64×16, 80×24 characters; 128×48 semigraphics, 8 colors; 480×192 monochrome; 384×192 pixels, 2 colors for each 3x4 pixel
Sound	Built-in speaker, tone generator
Backward compatibility	Tandy TRS-80 Model 1

The LNW-80, released in 1982, is the first computer built by LNW Research Corporation (later known as LNW Computers).^[1][2][3] The computer is 100% compatible with the Tandy TRS-80 Model 1, but has some hardware enhancements. Most notable are the high-resolution color graphics, which could also be used for an 80×24 screen, with a special software driver (TRS-80 is 64×16, while 80×24 is the screen size most CP/M software needed). Other enhancements were high processor speed (Z-80A at 4 MHz), color support, and optionally, CP/M support. The LNW-80 was also sold as a kit.^[3]

The LNW supported four screen modes:

• Mode 0 is the default TRS-80 screen with 64×16 characters, and 128×48 semigraphics.
• Mode 1 is 480×192 monochrome.
• Mode 2 uses high-resolution graphics memory to colorize the mode 0 graphics. This results in 128×48 dots with 8 colors per dot. This mode could be used to 'colorize' the standard TRS-80 games when loaded with special software.
• Mode 3 uses low-res character memory to colorize the high-res pixels. This results in 384×192 pixels on 128×48 color fields. Per color field, a foreground and background color is selected from the basic eight colors. The colors are white, green, yellow, red, magenta, blue, blue-green and black.

LNW Research

LNW Research started by making third party extensions for the Tandy TRS-80 model 1 market. They started in 1979 or 1980 with a System Extension, a D.I.Y. kit replacement of the Tandy Expansion Interface. The LNW80 appeared at the end of 1980. Later came the LNDoubler, a high-quality double-density adapter in 1981. 1983 saw the LNW II, an upgrade of the LNW80 capable of running CP/M and the LNW Team, which included an Intel 8088 board for MS-DOS compatibility. The company folded due to bankruptcy in 1984.

References

1. "LNW80 Main Page". Galaxy of Features. 2015-06-02. Archived from the original on 2015-06-02. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
2. "LNW-80 LNW Research". Old-Computers.com Museum. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
3. Reed, Matthew. "The LNW80". www.trs-80.org. Retrieved 2023-03-26.

External links

• LNW80 Main Page, Galaxy of Features