| The Compact Computer 40 (CC-40) was released in March 1983 by Texas Instruments as a lightweight, notebook-sized portable computer. It featured a TMS70C20 CMOS processor running at 2.5 MHz and included 6 KB of RAM (expandable to 18 KB) and 34 KB of ROM with TI Extended BASIC. The single-line LCD could display 31 characters and operated on four AA batteries—running for about 200 hours—while retaining memory contents even when powered off. It lacked built-in permanent storage; instead, software was loaded via cartridges or entered manually. A Hex-Bus port allowed optional peripherals such as a printer, modem, or RS-232 interface. TI developed a prototype wafertape drive for storage, but this device was never released due to unreliability. The CC-40 was considered a precursor to TI’s TI-74 Basicalc. It appealed to users as a quick-startable system but was criticized for its limited memory, single-line display, poor keyboard design, and lack of data retention hardware—BYTE magazine referred to it as “virtually a scientific calculator” due to its limitations. |
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