Tandy 6000

Released in late 1985, the Tandy 6000 was the final and most refined entry in Tandy’s 68000-based business computer series. Originally known as the “TRS-80 Model 16B Enhanced,” it was rebranded to reflect a more modern direction. Standard features included a Motorola 68000 CPU, 1MB of RAM, a 15MB or 35MB hard disk, and Microsoft’s Xenix operating system. With support for up to eight terminals, improved cooling, and a quieter, sleeker chassis, it became a favorite in legal offices, municipal departments, and other multi-user environments near the end of the pr

Notable Features

• Last and most powerful of Tandy’s 68000-based workstation family
• Shipped with Xenix, supporting multi-user environments out of the box
• Redesigned case with better airflow and power supply
• Optional 35MB hard disk — substantial for the era
• Expanded RAM and enhanced memory handling over the Model 16B
• Quiet operation compared to earlier TRS-80 business systems

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Historical Significance

• Final evolution of Tandy’s business UNIX strategy
• Provided small- to mid-sized businesses with affordable multi-terminal computing
• One of the few 1980s retail systems to run Microsoft Xenix out of the box
• Often deployed in legal offices, medical practices, and municipalities
• Eventually overshadowed by the IBM PC and MS-DOS-based networks

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Collector's Notes

• Rarity: High – many units decommissioned or scrapped by the early 1990s
• Desirability: Very high for Unix workstation collectors and Tandy historians
• Common Issues:
  • Dead hard drives (Shugart/Quantum units)
  • CRT dimming
  • PSU capacitor aging
  • Rare Xenix boot media may be needed for restoration
• Display Tips: Fully restored units look brilliant with Xenix running vi, passwd, and multi-terminal sessions

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Tandy 6000
Manufacturer	Tandy
Launched	Wednesday, August 1, 1984
Discontinued	Circa 1987
Launch Price	~$5,000–$7,500 USD (with terminals and hard disk)
Country	United States
CPU	Motorola 68000 @ 8 MHz (main), Zilog Z80A @ 4 MHz (bootstrap)
Units Sold	~15,000–20,000
Power	Internal PSU (~200W typical draw)
Operating System	Xenix (based on UNIX System III), TRSDOS-16, CP/M
Expansion	Serial boards for up to 8 terminals, parallel printer, external SCSI HDD
Storage	Dual 8" floppy drives (double-sided) + 15MB or 35MB hard disk
Keyboard	Professional full-stroke keyboard with numeric keypad and function keys
Sound	None
Graphics	Text-only; no native bitmap graphics
Display	15" integrated CRT, 80×24 monochrome text display
ROM	Bootstrap and firmware (Z80-controlled)
RAM	1MB standard (maximum supported without hacks