Looking at a TRS-80 12 MB External Hard Drive from 1983
A 1983 TRS-80 12 MB external hard drive, originally priced at $3,495, was recently examined by YouTuber Clint from LGR. The unit features a Tandon TM-603 drive and a Signetics 8X300 microprocessor, connecting to the computer via a ribbon cable. Although it produced loud noises upon startup, the device is being donated to a computer museum for potential restoration and use.
- ▪The 12 MB external hard drive for the TRS-80 cost $3,495 in 1983, which is equivalent to approximately $11,932 in 2026 USD.
- ▪The drive utilizes a Tandon TM-603 full-height 5.25-inch HDD and is controlled by a Signetics 8X300 microprocessor.
- ▪The external unit includes its own 60-watt power supply and connects to the TRS-80 computer using a ribbon cable.
- ▪Despite the presence of Rifa capacitors in the power supply, the unit was powered on and produced significant noise during startup.
- ▪The hard drive is scheduled to be donated to a computer museum where it may be tested and put back into service.
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| Original publisher | Hackaday |
| Canonical URL | https://hackaday.com/2026/09/12/looking-at-a-trs-80-12-mb-external-hard-drive-from-1983/ |
| Publication time | Sat, 12 Sep 2026 08:00:33 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-09-12T08:02:50.886Z |
| Last seen | 2026-09-12T08:02:50.886Z |
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| Cluster | tnyW7C5tGVNd · 1 stories |
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Looking At A TRS-80 12 MB External Hard Drive From 1983 No comments by: Maya Posch September 12, 2026 Title: Copy Short Link: Copy Although hard disks weren’t a common feature yet in many home computers in the 1980s, they were becoming increasingly more affordable. For relative meanings of the word ‘affordable’, naturally. This is illustrated by the 12 MB HDD for the Radio Shack TRS-80 that [Clint] over at LGR recently took a peek at. Costing a cool $3,495 in 1983 – or $11,932 in 2026 USD – this 12 MB storage wonder used a Tandon TM-603 full-height 5.25″ HDD inside. Lacking a working TRS-80 to try it out with, the video is limited to just a basic powering up and opening up of the unit, but [Clint] will be donating it to a computer museum who can hopefully put it to use again.
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