The TRS-80 Model II was a computer system launched by Tandy in October 1979, and targeted at the small-business market. Despite its name, the Model II was not an upgrade of the original (Model I) TRS-80, but an entirely different system. The Model II was succeeded by the compatible TRS-80 Model 12, Model 16 and Model 16B and the Tandy 6000.
Tandy was surprised at the strong demand for the TRS-80 Model I from business purchasers. The computer was too limited for such use, so the company began development on the Model II in late 1978. It was announced in May 1979, deliveries began in October,[4] and only Tandy-owned RadioShack stores sold the computer.[5] Tandy advertised the Model II as "a business computer — not a hobby, 'home' or personal computer". It claimed that the computer was "ideal for a small business, and also 'just right' for many time-consuming jobs within larger businesses", including those with mainframes.
(Photo: RadioShack)