Sharp PC-E500

<p>The Sharp PC-E500 brought a large 240 by 32 pixel screen, 32KB of RAM and a substantially faster processor to Sharp’s pocket-computer line in 1988. Its four-line display supported text and BASIC-controlled graphics, while the keyboard remained suitable for serious program entry.</p><p>Memory could be expanded dramatically for a handheld of the period, and built-in musical beep capabilities added another programmable element. The long-lived design later evolved into the enhanced PC-E500S.</p>

<h6>Notable Features</h6><ul><li>Large 240×32-pixel display showed four lines of 40 characters or programmable graphics.</li><li>32KB of standard RAM could be expanded to as much as 512KB.</li><li>Programmable sound offered a 256-note range through the built-in beeper.</li></ul><h6>Historical Significance</h6><ul><li>Represented a new high-performance generation of Sharp BASIC pocket computers in 1988.</li><li>The design remained influential long enough to receive the updated PC-E500S in 1995.</li></ul><h6>Collector's Notes</h6><ul><li>Capacitors and LCD condition should be inspected on ageing examples.</li><li>Memory cards, manuals and the original protective case are useful additions to a complete unit.</li></ul>

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Sharp PC-E500
Manufacturer	Sharp
Launched	Friday, April 15, 1988
Launch Price	¥28,800
Country	Japan
CPU	Sharp SC62015 8-bit CMOS processor at 2.3 MHz
Units Sold
Battery Life	Approximately 70 hours
Power	Four AAA batteries plus CR2016 backup cell
Expansion	Memory expansion and peripheral interface
Sound	Programmable beeper with 256-note range
Keyboard	Full alphanumeric and scientific keypad
Language	Sharp BASIC with machine-language support
Display	240×32-pixel LCD; four lines of 40 characters
ROM	96KB
RAM	32KB standard; expandable to 512KB
CPU Speed	2.3 MHz