LNW Research
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer hardware |
| Founded | 1979 |
| Fate | Filed for bankruptcy in 1984 |
| Products | LNW-80, LNW System Expansion kit, LNDoubler adapter, LNW-80 Model 2 |
The LNW-80, launched in 1982 by LNW Research Corporation (which later became LNW Computers), marked the company's inaugural computer system. It maintained full compatibility with the Tandy TRS-80 Model 1 while introducing notable hardware improvements such as enhanced color graphics at higher resolution and a faster Z-80A processor operating up to 4 MHz. The machine offered optional CP/M support and was sold both as a pre-assembled unit and as a kit for self-assembly.
Among its key enhancements was an 80×24 character display, better suited for most CP/M applications compared to the TRS-80’s 64×16 layout, alongside sophisticated color capabilities. These graphical advancements broadened the LNW-80’s appeal, catering to both business users and gamers by delivering superior visual performance.
The LNW-80 provided four distinct display modes:
- Mode 0: The classic TRS-80 screen featuring 64×16 characters and 128×48 semigraphics.
- Mode 1: A high-resolution monochrome mode with 480×192 pixels.
- Mode 2: A colorized version of Mode 0 graphics offering 128×48 dots, each capable of displaying eight colors, enhancing visual fidelity for TRS-80 software.
- Mode 3: Utilized low-resolution character memory to add color to high-resolution pixels, producing a 384×192 pixel display arranged in color fields with selectable foreground and background colors from eight basic options (white, green, yellow, red, magenta, blue, blue-green, black).
LNW Research
Established in 1979, LNW Research initially focused on creating aftermarket enhancements for the Tandy TRS-80 Model I platform. Their first offering was the LNW System Expansion kit, designed to compete with the TRS-80 Expansion Interface. The company introduced the LNW-80 at the close of 1980, followed by the LNDoubler adapter in 1981 which enabled double-density disk operation. In 1983, they released the LNW-80 Model 2 featuring built-in CP/M compatibility. The following year saw the addition of an optional Intel 8088 board slot for running MS-DOS on the system. Unfortunately, the company filed for bankruptcy later in 1984.
Reactions and Reviews
Addressing ongoing freezing issues with the TRS-80 Model I, Creative Computing's Editorial Director remarked: "This is a continuing problem... we have been converting to the LNW-80 for some in-house computing. It has yet to show the problem, while our Model I's and Model III's do lock up."
80 Microcomputing commended the LNW-80’s advanced hardware design as "a leap ahead of the TRS-80," though it criticized aspects such as the keyboard layout, an "overpriced" enclosure, and utilizing graphics mode for displaying 80x24 text. Their conclusion stated: "[t]he LNW-80 is, for the most part, a well designed, fast, effective computer."
Kilobaud Microcomputing emphasized its "superb" performance and regarded it as an excellent value given its cost and features.
BYTE recognized shortcomings in the documentation and video driver of the LNW-80 Model 2 but praised its build quality and comprehensive software package. They summarized: "[t]he LNW’s price is comparable to or better than its competition's... It's hard to choose which one of the LNW's advantages is most important."
External links
- LNW80 Homepage, Extensive Feature Overview
- LNW-80 User Guide hosted on Internet Archive
- LNW-80 Technical Reference Guide available via Internet Archive
- LNW-80 Model 2: CP/M Operating System Manual accessible through Internet Archive