Sharp SM-B-80TE

The Sharp SM-B-80TE was a Z80-based single-board microcomputer trainer introduced in Japan in 1977. It provided a hexadecimal keypad, eight-digit LED display, cassette interface and expansion connections for learning machine-code programming and experimenting with digital hardware.

Related SM-B-80T and SM-B-80TC versions used the same educational concept, with the TC separating the keyboard and display from the main board. These systems helped Sharp test the emerging personal microcomputer market before the MZ-80K.

Notable Features

• Hexadecimal keypad and eight-digit seven-segment LED display.
• Cassette interface and Z80 PIO connections supported program storage and hardware experiments.
• SM-B-80TC separated the keypad/display section from the main board.

Historical Significance

• Among Sharp’s earliest computers aimed at individual experimenters and students.
• Helped establish a consumer market that Sharp later addressed with the MZ-80K.

Collector's Notes

• Bare-board construction leaves components and connector pins vulnerable.
• Original monitor ROMs, manuals, power supplies and keypad sections are important to preserve.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Sharp SM-B-80TE
Manufacturer	Sharp
Launched	Saturday, January 1, 1977
Launch Price	Approximately ¥39,800
Country	Japan
CPU	Sharp LH0080, Zilog Z80-compatible
Units Sold