Display article   Subject:  The New Tandy 2500 SX/20 Special Edition
   04/30/97   18:10:33


THE NEW TANDY 2500 SX/20 SPECIAL EDITION

It ships preconfigured with an 80386sx processor running at a
FAST 20 MHz clock speed; a large formatted 85 MB Hard Drive with
MS-DOS 5.0 preinstalled (as well as all software that's
included); 2400 bps internal modem; America Online and Prodigy
information services software; DeskMate; and a two-button mouse!
What a package for $1,299.00!


Here are the STANDARD Features of the CPU


- FAST 20 MHz 80386sx Microprocessor
- One megabyte of RAM, expandable to 16 MB
- Volume control through keyboard keystrokes
- MS-DOS 5.0 and DeskMate 3.5 (on DISK ONLY)
- Super VGA Graphics support, 256K of Video RAM, expandable to 512K
- 16-Bit IDE interface for up to two SmartDrives
- One 1.44 MB 3 1/2" High Capacity Floppy Drive
- Three 16-Bit, ISA-compatible expansion slots
- Socket for 80387sx-20 Math Coprocessor (which is 900-2586)
- Device Slots: one 3 1/2" and one (open) 5 1/4"
- Ports: bi-directional parallel, serial, and mouse
- Standard 101-key, quality enhanced-style keyboard
- Digital audio with multiple voice sound
- Tandy DAC enables you to record and play back speech and sound
- Microphone jack for speech and sound input
- Stereo headphone jack supports dual external speakers
- Clock with battery backup
- 70 Watt power supply
- Low Profile Design: 4.25 x 15.5 x 15 inches (H x W x D)
- 1 year customer warranty
- Made by Tandy -- in the USA -- Backed by Radio Shack


Now for the ENHANCED Features

- FAST 18ms 85 MB Hard Drive INSTALLED and PREFORMATTED!
- MS-DOS 5.0 and DeskMate already INSTALLED!
- 2400 bps internal modem INSTALLED!
- America Online and Prodigy software INSTALLED!
- Two-button mouse INCLUDED!


Like the 2500 SX (25-4076), the 2500 SX/20 (25-4077) does not
include DOS or the DeskMate interface in ROM.  Instead, it's
already installed on the hard drive!

So, right out of the box, this computer can take advantage of
MS-DOS 5.0's enhanced features such as large hard disk partition
of 85 megabytes; ability to run MS-DOS in the high memory area
(to free up conventional memory for programs and to enable them
to run faster and more efficiently); MS-DOS Editor, a new
full-screen text editor that you can use to easily create and
modify text files.  These and many other new enhanced features
are all included with MS-DOS 5.0.

With DeskMate preinstalled, you can immediately enjoy your new
computer's ease-of-use.  With America Online, you can access
services like news and finance, people connection, lifestyles and
interests, games and entertainment, travel and shopping.  You
even get an online encyclopedia!  Prodigy includes the latest
news, weather and sports, plus shopping, entertainment, financial
services and electronic mail!


What About Windows 3.0?

With this powerful interface, you can utilize Windows
applications with extreme ease of use.  Windows goes beyond the
previous 640K limitation and addresses extended memory, the
additional memory available in the 2500 SX/20.  Now you can run
several applications at once and work with much larger document
files without running out of memory.


What About the Monitor?

There are several quality monitors available, one to fit
everyone's needs:

-- VGM-100 Monochrome Monitor -- 14" paper-white display offers
64 shades of gray.  Low cost choice for basic non-color
applications, such as word processing.  Cat. No. 25-4040,
$199.95.

-- VGM-220 Color Monitor -- 14" .52mm dot pitch with glare type
screen shows off the brilliance in every color displayed.  For
the budget minded.  Cat. No. 25-4044, $399.95.

-- VGM-200 Color Monitor -- 14" .42mm dot pitch with non-glare
screen displays a sharp, crisp character for the all day,
everyday user that does not need SVGA.  Cat. No. 25-4041,
$499.95.

-- VGM-440 Color Monitor -- 14" .28mm dot pitch that is Super VGA
Compatible.  This means that it can display resolutions from 640
x 480 or 800 x 600, to 1024 x 768 with the required 512K video
RAM (MX-3750 at National Parts).  Superb clarity and included
tilt/swivel base.  Cat. No. 25-4046, $649.00.


Tandy 2500 SX/20 Automatic IDE Hard Drive Selection

An outstanding new feature of the 2500 SX/20 (both the 25-4077
and 25-4904) is Automatic IDE Hard Drive Selection.  When AUTO is
selected in SETUP, the system will automatically configure an
IDE-SmartDrive for use.  When AUTO is selected there is no need
to enter cylinder, sector or other specific configuration
parameters to configure any IDE/SmartDrive within SETUP.  This
allows the full capacity of the hard drive to be achieved.  And
it will be recognized as a standard type hard drive, without
changing the BIOS!

The real benefit is that when new IDE-SmartDrives are added to
the line, they will be recognized by operating systems like
Novell as a standard drive type!  You will no longer need to use
a DISK MANAGER-type program to make Novell think you have a
standard drive type, even though it is not hard-coded in the
BIOS.

The way this works is, if shadow RAM is available, it will be
used instead of the BIOS data area.  For Novell users, we will
require that the BIOS be shadowed to take advantage of the full
capacity of the hard drive.  This is a setup feature for the
user.


2500 SX/20 and 440 MB SCSI

The combination of the 2500 SX/20 (25-4077 or 25-4904) with the
current 440 MB SCSI hard drive (25-4167) will not be supported
due to the limit of the 70 watt power supply.  All other hard
drive combinations will be supported.


Who Can Use the 2500 SX/20?  Everyone!

Business:  POS Accounting, Graphics, and Spreadsheets

Education:  Home Learning, Homework, and Tutorials

Personal Productivity:  Word Processing and Databases

Entertainment:  Action Programs and Family Interaction

This system has excellent expansion.  The 85 MB hard drive offers
ample room for programs and data storage.  Other systems on the
market, in most instances, come with a small 40 MB hard drive.
We have custom configured this system with your future growth in
mind.


Will There Be a Floppy Version?

Yes, it will be available in October.  The 2500 SX/20 floppy
version will be Cat. No. 25-4904 and will retail for $1,499.00.
This version will not ship with a modem or the Prodigy software,
but will include the America Online service.

Visit your local Radio Shack to check out this great new addition
to the Tandy family.


Tandy Computers: The Best Selling PC Compatibles in America!
