Tandy 1000 RL

The compact Tandy 1000 RL reduced the desktop 1000 architecture to a low-profile case with a 9.54 MHz 8086 and fast ROM-based DOS and DeskMate. The RL/HD added an internal 20MB drive.

Its minimal expansion and appliance-like startup targeted families wanting an immediately useful DOS computer rather than a configurable business system.

Notable Features

• Processing is provided by Intel 8086 at 9.54 MHz.
• The standard memory configuration was 512KB; expandable to 768KB with upper memory used for video.
• Display hardware provided Tandy Video II sixteen-colour graphics.

Historical Significance

• Its minimal expansion and appliance-like startup targeted families wanting an immediately useful DOS computer rather than a configurable business system.
• Storage-only and minor motherboard revisions are documented on this page rather than treated as separate products.

Collector’s Notes

• Confirm the catalogue number, processor, memory and drives because similar Tandy cases were sold in several configurations.
• Original DeskMate or system disks, keyboards, monitors and Radio Shack documentation add historical value.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Tandy 1000 RL
Manufacturer	Tandy
Launched	Monday, January 1, 1990
Discontinued	1991
Country	United States
CPU	Intel 8086 at 9.54 MHz
Units Sold
Operating System	MS-DOS 3.3 and DeskMate in ROM
I/O	RGB, printer, serial, audio, joysticks and one 8-bit ISA slot
Keyboard	Separate PS/2-style keyboard and mouse
Storage	1.44MB 3.5-inch floppy; RL/HD adds 20MB XT-IDE hard disc
Sound	Tandy PSSJ sound with digital audio
Graphics	Tandy Video II sixteen-colour graphics
Display	External RGB monitor; 80 x 25 text
ROM	PC BIOS with MS-DOS and DeskMate in ROM
RAM	512KB; expandable to 768KB with upper memory used for video
CPU Speed	9.54 or 4.77 MHz