About this episode

The episode discusses the introduction of various home computers in 1980, including the VIC-20 and ZX80.

Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, and Carrington Vanston Topic: 1980 In 1980, Commodore introduced the VIC-20, Sinclair introduced the ZX80, Tandy introduced the Color Computer, and HP tried to breed a computer out of calculators. Also other things happened. Which we discuss! Topic/Feedback links: VIC-20   Sinclair ZX80 See also: MicroAce (timexsinclair.com) HP-85   See also: Tandy PC-4 Tandy Color Computer   Intel 8087   Pac-Man   Epson MX-80 Retro Computing News: ​​ Apple’s best keyboard reimagined (YouTube) Update on the Business IIGS (original auction gone, but: Incider Jan 1989 cover ) Daily news from a dot matrix printer APFram. APFram Atari Portfolio It was all Boris Vallejo Vintage Computer(-related) commercials: Pac-Man Cereal VIC-20 Timex/Sinclair 1000 Retro Computing Gift Idea: Inflatable Pac-Man costume Auction Picks: Carrington: The Usurper, one of the last text adventures The Odyssey, one of the worst named adventure games Paul: Apple-Cat II with expansion box Starring the Computer: Vacation (1983) Apple IIGS upgrade (finished at $720, 11 bids) Blank floppies (finished at $111.50, 9 bids) Because we all want to be able to say…

More episodes of Retro Computing Roundtable

• RCR Episode 288: NeXT, Sound Blaster, and IRC · January 25, 2026 · 2h 7m
• RCR Episode 287: Eureka! · January 9, 2026 · 1h 49m
• RCR Episode 286: Somehow all Myst · November 24, 2025 · 2h 13m
• RCR Episode 285: You’ll Have Mail · June 4, 2025 · 2h 21m
• RCR Episode 284: Hammer time · May 25, 2025 · 1h 52m
• RCR Episode 283: A STRANGE GAME · May 23, 2025 · 1h 23m

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Retro Computing Roundtable podcast page.