The Phoenix

Progressive Electronics advertisement
from the December 1983 issue of 80 Micro

Progressive Electronics first advertised the Phoenix, their TRS-80 compatible computer, in the August 1983 issue of 80 Micro. They advertised it for a fairly short time, with the final advertisement appearing in the December 1983 issue.

Progressive Electronics offered the Phoenix in two configurations. The first was the “Basic kit” which cost $599 and included:

• Z-80 CPU with a hardware and software selectable 2 MHz and 5 MHz clock
• Software compatibility with the Model III and Model 4
• 128K RAM card (less RAM)
• 80 by 24 and 64 by 16 uppercase and lowercase alphanumeric video
• High resolution 512 by 256 graphics (less 16K video RAM)
• Double-density disk controller with support for up to four drives with any mix of 5¼" and 8"
• Parallel printer and light pen interfaces
• Built-in audio
• Standard typewriter keyboard with numeric keypad
• Tan polyurethane enameled metal enclosure, with power supply

The second configuration was the “Complete kit” which cost $1699 and added:

• High-resolution 12" green screen monitor
• Two slimline 5¼" floppy drives
• Hand rubbed, solid walnut end panels
• RS232 interface board
• System ROM
• 128K RAM (64K normal plus 64K bank-selectable)
• 16K high resolution graphics RAM

Progressive Electronics also offered a number of options for the Phoenix. Some of the more interesting sounding options included:

• 128K bank selectable RAM board (for a total of 256K)
• Color graphics
• Light pen
• Factory assembly

Those are respectable feature lists for a computer at the time, especially considering the price. Many companies made TRS-80 compatible computers, but I have never heard of anyone who bought a Phoenix. I wonder how many were sold?

Filed Under Computers · Progressive Electronics