Was there a Level I Model III?

written by Matthew Reed

Although rare, the Level I Model III did exist. The 1981 Radio Shack catalog which introduced the Model III listed three versions:

  • 26-1061, 4K Level I BASIC, cassette only, $699.00
  • 26-1062, 16K Model III BASIC, cassette only, $999.00
  • 26-1063, 32K Model III BASIC, two floppy drives, $2,495.00

The catalog has this to say about Level I BASIC for the Model III:

You can start with the popular Level I “learner’s” language, and later expand to the very powerful Model III BASIC with 16K memory.

with a bit more detail later on:

Level I BASIC is the same as Model I BASIC (see page 9), but with printing commands included. Model III BASIC has all the features of Model I Level II BASIC (see page 9) plus a lot more.

I have never seen a Level I Model III and I would suspect that there weren’t many sold.

Categories: FAQ

Comments

UKRetroGamer says:

I have a working Level I Model III. (4K, with 4K keyboard badge, no disk-drives, cassette interface). It came with a Level I user guide, etc.

It has catalogue number (from the sticker on the back) of 262-1061.

It has the serial number: 0001545

It’s a UK model, manufacture in Forth Worth, Texas according to the same label.

Paul Becker says:

My Model III was a 4K L1 basic ($699), serial number 618. I later upgraded it to 64K level II, then added hard drives, then did the Model 4 conversion and added hi-res graphics and a hard drive (5 megabytes). I still have that machine.

So yes, they certainly existed.