July 25, 1990 TANDY INTRODUCES NEW HOME COMPUTER New York City -- Tandy Corporation today introduced the Tandy 1000 RL -- the first personal computer with unique home management programs so practical and simple that it can become an essential part of family life. The Tandy 1000 RL computer is a fully integrated system of hardware and software developed with a specific focus on the home user. "The Tandy 1000 RL is an entirely new generation of home computer -- one that helps manage everyday home tasks, is easy to use and affordable," said John V. Roach, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Tandy Corporation. The Tandy 1000 RL is sold at Tandy's more than 7,000 Radio Shack stores nationwide. The price of the ready-to-use systems range from $750 to $1,299. "Computers have been accepted in the workplace for years, but not in the home because they've been too hard to use and too expensive," Roach said. "Finally, we've solved those problems." "The Tandy 1000 RL is so easy to use that it guarantees success. Even the novice user can be productive with the `RL' after just 15 minutes. Should they need additional help, we've established a comprehensive program to meet our customers' needs," he said. In addition to the computer's built-in tutorial programs, Radio Shack personnel have been specially trained to work individually with customers who have a question. A dedicated team of computer experts is set up at Tandy's Fort Worth, Texas, headquarters for store representatives to contact for quick, on-the-spot solutions. Customers with a telephone modem can communicate with the technicians themselves. The Tandy 1000 RL is the result of Tandy Corporation's more than a decade of experience as the leading maker and marketer of personal computers. "We designed the `RL' after years of research, program development, and an extensive focused testing program with families in the home," Roach said. "We learned it was not enough to deliver ease of use, flexibility and bundled software programs, if we wanted computers accepted in the home. People told us they don't want to create a check book register on a spreadsheet. They want to enter a check, or balance the checkbook, at the push of a button. That's the kind of solutions the Tandy 1000 RL delivers," Roach stated. The "RL" comes with 24 built-in programs developed especially to make everyday home tasks easier. Also, it is fully PC-compatible and will run other business and personal software programs. Its unique comprehensive approach to the home and its ease of use has earned it the Good Housekeeping Seal. The specially designed home applications in the Tandy 1000 RL include: -- Financial Programs to itemize expenses and calculate them on bar or pie charts; to maintain account information, record checks and balance a checkbook; to maintain and manage stock and investment portfolios. -- Personal Programs to catalog collections; to maintain a private, password-access diary; to keep an inventory of valuable home articles for insurance; to maintain an itemized list of possessions like jewelry; to plan trips with toll-free telephone numbers of airlines, hotels and rental cars. -- Kitchen Programs including a cookbook which adjusts recipes for the number of servings; a grocery list organizer; and, a meal planner. Sample recipes from The New Good Housekeeping Cookbook are included. -- Mathcard Programs to develop and calculate a personal savings plan, determine interest rates and payments, and plan retirement income; make 31 mathematical conversions; determine calculations like miles-per-gallon, discounts and percentages. -- Information Center which provides a calendar, a notepad for family messages, important telephone numbers and a message board for members of the family. -- DeskMate which includes a word processor, an address book, a draw program, and an educational computer game along with other applications. The Tandy 1000 RL comes with one drive for "floppy" (removable) diskettes that automatically senses if the diskette is present, or one floppy drive and an internal (non-removable) "hard disk" drive. It includes the ability to record and playback speech or sound, color video, a standard 101-key keyboard, a built-in expansion slot, jacks for a microphone and headphone, two sockets to add "joysticks" for playing games, and a place to plug in a printer. An optional telephone modem will connect the user to PC-Link, Prodigy, CompuServe or any of the many information services available. Another new feature enables the computer to go to "sleep." When not in use, the "RL's" screen automatically turns off. After a period of inactivity, the Tandy 1000 RL hard drive computer will also turn itself off. At the touch of any key, it is instantly ready to use, and returns to the exact place the user left. This allows the computer to remain turned-on 24 hours a day with no noise (there is no fan) and using no more power than a clock radio. The Tandy 1000 RL is available in four systems: -- Floppy Disk Drive with monochrome monitor $749.90 -- Floppy Disk Drive with color monitor $899.90 -- Hard Disk Drive with monochrome monitor $1,149.90 -- Hard Disk Drive with color monitor $1,299.90 A limited-time, introductory offer includes a free "mouse" ($49.95 value). Prices are good at participating Radio Shack Computer Centers, Radio Shack Stores and dealers nationwide. --###-- PC-Link is a service mark of Quantum Computer Services, Inc. Prodigy is a registered trademark of Prodigy Services Company. CompuServe is a registered trademark of CompuServe, Inc. The New Good Housekeeping Cookbook is a registered trademark of The Good Housekeeping Institute.