| Released in 1979, the Texas Instruments TI-99/4 was one of the first 16-bit home computers on the market, powered by the TMS9900 CPU—originally designed for minicomputers. Despite this impressive architecture, the system was hampered by slow performance due to its reliance on an 8-bit memory interface and various design compromises. The TI-99/4 featured a built-in chiclet keyboard and an RF modulator for connection to a standard TV. It came bundled with TI BASIC and was designed to integrate into the family living room. One of its standout features was its graphics capability, supporting sprites and up to 16 colors, which was advanced for the time. However, the original TI-99/4 was criticized for its poor keyboard, lack of lowercase characters, and relatively high price. It was eventually replaced in 1981 by the improved TI-99/4A, which addressed many of its shortcomings. |
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| Manufacturer | Texas Instruments | |||
| Country of origin | USA | |||
| Year of release | 1979 | |||
| Language in ROM | TI BASIC | |||
| Keyboard | QWERTY Calculator style chiclet keyboard | |||
| CPU | TMS9900 @ 3,3MHz | |||
| Co-Processor(s) | TMS9918/TMS9929 (PAL) | |||
| RAM | 16KB | |||
| ROM | 26KB | |||
| Colours | 16 | |||
| Sound | 3 channels + 1 noise | |||
| I/O Ports | Tape, RGB, Joystick, Cartridge | |||