February 13, 2026
Cassette-core chaos
The Sharp PC-2000 Computer Boombox from 1979
Only 200 ever made! $1.7k boombox-computer sparks a “computer vs calculator” battle
TLDR: A 1979 Sharp boombox with a pop-out keyboard resurfaced—only 200 exist and one fetched $1,730—and fans are split over whether it’s a real computer or just a fancy calculator, while others cheer Sharp’s longevity and crack “Cyberfunk” jokes. Nostalgia meets sticker shock and nerdy nitpicking.
A rare blast from 1979 just crash-landed into today’s feed: Sharp’s PC-2000, a TV-radio-cassette boombox with a hidden keyboard, the kind of retro-future mashup that makes collectors weak at the knees. One unit reportedly sold for about $1,730 with just two bids in May 2024 on Yahoo Auctions, and Sharp’s own museum blog confirms only 200 units were ever produced—basically a phantom gadget that even Sharp employees barely knew about, now lovingly chronicled here.
But the comments quickly stole the show. One fan crowned it “Cyberfunk,” and the nickname stuck like neon on chrome. Nostalgic programmers chimed in—“I learned to code on a PC-1500!”—swooning over the multi-line display while others side‑eyed the chunky keyboard. The hottest debate? Is it a real computer or just a fancy calculator with speakers. “Splitting hairs for the era,” one commenter shrugged, while another marveled that Sharp’s been going strong for a century and once made personal computers.
There’s also a mystery twist: did the cassette deck pull double duty to save programs as audio? Old-schoolers say it’s plausible, given many early machines did exactly that. Between the price tag, the rarity, and the “is it a calculator?” bickering, this oddball relic has the crowd vibing and sniping in equal measure—pure retro drama with a funky backbeat.
Key Points
- •A rare Sharp boombox-computer from 1979 is highlighted, with references to the model as PC-2000 (Sharp Museum) and PC-2001 (author).
- •Sharp’s museum materials state only 200 units of the PC-2000 were produced, making it a “phantom” product.
- •The device combines radio, television, a cassette deck, and a built-in computer, featuring a retractable keyboard.
- •It was developed by Sharp’s electronic calculator team and cataloged under office equipment alongside calculators.
- •A unit reportedly sold on Yahoo! Japan Auctions in May 2024 for $1,730 with two bids, indicating collector interest.