From the attic - Tandy 102

Forums › Laptops and mobile computers › From the attic - Tandy 102 - early laptop

clicknz

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#320041 30-Jun-2025 08:21

Hi all - with our roof being worked on I've had to sort out some stuff being stored in the attic. Found a very tidy piece of tech - a Tandy 102 with manual. This was something my brother left with me - he is the early adopter of tech items, I know nothing about it, except that fortunately it wasn't stored with batteries in it. I popped in 4x AA's and it seems to run fine.

Is there someone out there who collects tech and would like this? Free to a good home (you know who you are!). Got any stories on these devices?

Pick up is in Miramar, Wellington, or if you're really keen I could courier it.

Cheers,

Mike

Cheers,
Mike

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lurker

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#3388192 30-Jun-2025 08:28

Should probably drop it off to Te Papa - "It belongs in a museum!"

It's actually very fortunate it wasn't stored with batteries, they can cause a real mess

clicknz

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#3388197 30-Jun-2025 08:37

lurker:

Should probably drop it off to Te Papa - "It belongs in a museum!"

It's actually very fortunate it wasn't stored with batteries, they can cause a real mess

Thanks for the thought... does Te Papa actually have an interest in the tech sphere? Anyone know? I'd be happy to get it to them if this was the case.

Behodar

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#3388198 30-Jun-2025 08:38

Interesting...

The Tandy 100 was actually a computer made in Japan by Kyocera. All the ROM programs were written by Microsoft, and even a few of them were written by Bill Gates (!) himself ! These programs include a text editor, a telecommunication program, which uses the built-in modem (300 baud), and a rather good version of BASIC (no big surprise there).

Kyocera made this computer for three main companies: Tandy, Olivetti (Olivetti M10) and NEC (PC 8201), these computers are the same except the case and some little differences in the programs and a few physical differences.

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Dynamic

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#3388199 30-Jun-2025 08:46

Consider the Museum of Transport and Technology as an option as well.

Museum of Transport and Technology Auckland | MOTAT | New Zealand

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nova

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#3388202 30-Jun-2025 09:43

Motat is a good idea. But if you sold it on Trademe you would get good money for it, so you could do that and donate the profits, or give it to a charity shop to sell.

Or I'm sure you have plenty of messages on here already offering to take it off your hands!

pdh

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#3388209 30-Jun-2025 10:14

ebay seems to think they're worth 250-400 $NZ...

lurker

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#3388223 30-Jun-2025 11:54

If you're on Facebook there is also a group called New Zealand Vintage Computing with many enthusiastic collectors

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clicknz

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#3388576 1-Jul-2025 11:10

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

If someone out there does have a genuine interest in this device feel free to get in touch.

gehenna

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#3388672 1-Jul-2025 14:51

I'd like it, I collect this kind of stuff. Happy to pick up.

LennonNZ

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#3388681 1-Jul-2025 15:42

I collect these types of things (Old Computers) and would love to have this in my collection.

roobarb

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#3389967 5-Jul-2025 11:26

Time to funkentstört that.

duckDecoy

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#3389971 5-Jul-2025 12:31

Please also consider the Bob Doran Computer Museum and auckland university, they could very well be interested. Bob did a fantastic job of trying to collect items from all eras and this could be something they are missing. I can put you in touch with someone there (or do it on your behalf) if you want to consider it.

https://museum.cs.auckland.ac.nz/

edit: link added