Texas Instruments Professional Computer

The Texas Instruments Professional Computer was an 8088-based business desktop supporting MS-DOS, CP/M-86 and other professional operating environments. Its high-resolution display and proprietary expansion architecture distinguished it from a standard IBM PC.

Although technically capable, the machine was not fully IBM PC compatible at a time when compatibility was becoming decisive. It remained a short-lived branch of TI’s professional computer business.

Notable Features

• High-resolution business graphics
• MS-DOS support without full IBM PC hardware compatibility
• Five proprietary I/O expansion slots plus a memory slot

Historical Significance

• Although technically capable, the machine was not fully IBM PC compatible at a time when compatibility was becoming decisive. It remained a short-lived branch of TI’s professional computer business.

Collector’s Notes

• Keyboards, display adapters and expansion cards are proprietary and important to keeping a surviving system usable.
• Memory, storage, displays and expansion hardware should be documented because configurations often changed during a system’s working life.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Texas Instruments Professional Computer
Manufacturer	Texas Instruments
Launched	Monday, January 31, 1983
Discontinued	Around 1985
Launch Price	From approximately $2,200
Country	United States
CPU	Intel 8088
Units Sold
Form Factor	Desktop
Power	Mains AC
Networking	Optional Ethernet and terminal-emulation adapters
Operating System	MS-DOS, CP/M-86, Concurrent CP/M-86 and UCSD p-System
Expansion / I/O	Five proprietary I/O slots; parallel standard; serial optional
Keyboard	Detachable professional keyboard
Storage	Up to four 320 or 360 KB floppy drives; 5 or 10 MB hard disk options
Sound	Programmable sound / beeper
Colours	Monochrome or colour
Graphics	Up to 720 x 300 pixels depending on display system
Display	External monochrome or colour monitor
ROM	8 to 16 KB firmware ROM
RAM	64 KB to 768 KB
CPU Speed	5 MHz