History Platform / TI99

The graphics and sound chips would go on to better things, finding their way into the Platform/{{MSX}}, Platform/ColecoVision, Platform/SG1000 (ancestor of the [[Platform/SegaMasterSystem Master System]]), Platform/BBCMicro, Platform/IBMPCjr, and the UsefulNotes/Tandy1000 (a more commercially successful clone of the [=PCjr=]). The Platform/SegaMasterSystem, [[Platform/SegaGenesis Genesis]], and Platform/GameGear used derivatives. As with other orphaned computers of that era, the TI-99 had an aftermarket of expansion peripherals, even a complete PC clone that could attach to the machine.

Following the success of the UsefulNotes/AppleII, TI decided to get into the home computer market with an 8-bit machine that would showcase TI's engineering. The CPU, graphics, and sound would all be TI custom chips. Unfortunately, the CPU didn't work, so TI brought in a proven 16-bit CPU, the 9900, and used a bunch of "glue logic" to make it emulate the failed 9985. This made the new computer the first 16-bit home computer, albeit a very odd one that behaved much more like the other 8-bit computers of the time.

The first model, the 99/4, was released in June 1979 and didn't sell well. The 99/4A replaced the 99/4's chiclet keyboard with a full-travel keyboard and added a bitmap graphics mode. It was released in June 1981, and was a big success for about a year. Then the UsefulNotes/{{Commodore 64}} showed up, and TI got into a price war with Commodore. By early 1983, TI was selling them at a loss and left the home computer market by the end of the year. The 99/2 and 99/8 were only produced in limited quantities as prototypes, though the 99/8's architecture has a striking resemblance to the Tomy Tutor.

The graphics and sound chips would go on to better things, finding their way into the UsefulNotes/{{MSX}}, Platform/ColecoVision, Platform/SG1000 (ancestor of the [[Platform/SegaMasterSystem Master System]]), Platform/BBCMicro, Platform/IBMPCjr, and the UsefulNotes/Tandy1000 (a more commercially successful clone of the [=PCjr=]). The UsefulNotes/SegaMasterSystem, [[UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis Genesis]], and UsefulNotes/GameGear used derivatives. As with other orphaned computers of that era, the TI-99 had an aftermarket of expansion peripherals, even a complete PC clone that could attach to the machine.

The 99/4A was well-liked, with graphics and sound comparable to the Commodore 64, and way above the 64's predecessor, the UsefulNotes/VIC20. But TI's insistence on complete control over software meant that its library was very small. That, combined with a hardware design that was expensive to manufacture, doomed it in the marketplace.

The graphics and sound chips would go on to better things, finding their way into the UsefulNotes/{{MSX}}, Platform/ColecoVision, Platform/SG1000 (ancestor of the [[UsefulNotes/SegaMasterSystem Master System]]), UsefulNotes/BBCMicro, UsefulNotes/IBMPCjr, and the UsefulNotes/Tandy1000 (a more commercially successful clone of the [=PCjr=]). The UsefulNotes/SegaMasterSystem, [[UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis Genesis]], and UsefulNotes/GameGear used derivatives. As with other orphaned computers of that era, the TI-99 had an aftermarket of expansion peripherals, even a complete PC clone that could attach to the machine.

The graphics and sound chips would go on to better things, finding their way into the UsefulNotes/{{MSX}}, UsefulNotes/{{Colecovision}}, UsefulNotes/SG1000 (ancestor of the [[UsefulNotes/SegaMasterSystem Master System]]), UsefulNotes/BBCMicro, UsefulNotes/IBMPCjr, and the UsefulNotes/Tandy1000 (a more commercially successful clone of the [=PCjr=]). The UsefulNotes/SegaMasterSystem, [[UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis Genesis]], and UsefulNotes/GameGear used derivatives. As with other orphaned computers of that era, the TI-99 had an aftermarket of expansion peripherals, even a complete PC clone that could attach to the machine.

The graphics and sound chips would go on to better things, finding their way into the UsefulNotes/{{MSX}}, UsefulNotes/{{Colecovision}}, UsefulNotes/SG1000 (ancestor of the [[UsefulNotes/SegaMasterSystem Master System]]), UsefulNotes/BBCMicro, UsefulNotes/IBMPCjr, and the UsefulNotes/Tandy1000 (a more commercially successful clone of the [=PCjr=]). The UsefulNotes/SegaMasterSystem, [[UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis Genesis]], and UsefulNotes/GameGear used derivatives.

As a side note, it brought us a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlU4HTefxmc rather bizarre TV spot]] featuring none other than Creator/BillCosby.

Texas Instruments is a very old and respected maker of electronics components. TI employee Jack Kilby co-invented the integrated circuit (or chip) in 1958, and TI chips can be found in most electronic devices including a great many computers and video game consoles although the only remaining consumer product with the TI name is their graphing calculator line; they have a near-monopoly in North America on them for student use, and their prices and (lack of) technical advancements reflect this.

The graphics and sound chips would go on to better things, finding their way into the UsefulNotes/{{MSX}}, UsefulNotes/{{Colecovision}}, UsefulNotes/SG1000 (ancestor of the [[UsefulNotes/SegaMasterSystem Master System]]), and UsefulNotes/BBCMicro. The UsefulNotes/SegaMasterSystem, [[UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis Genesis]], and UsefulNotes/GameGear used derivatives.

The graphics and sound chips would go on to better things, finding their way into the UsefulNotes/{{MSX}}, UsefulNotes/{{Colecovision}}, SG1000 (ancestor of the [[UsefulNotes/SegaMasterSystem Master System]]), and UsefulNotes/BBCMicro. The UsefulNotes/SegaMasterSystem, [[UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis Genesis]], and UsefulNotes/GameGear used derivatives.

[[AC:Ports]]

* ''VideoGame/{{Miner 2049er}}''

* ''VideoGame/{{Robotron 2084}}''

* ''Star Trek: Strategic Operations Simulator''

* ''Congo Bongo''