Tandy marketed the CoCo to compete with other "low cost" home computers at the time, like the Atari 800, The Commodore Vic 20 and (even though WAY more expensive) Apple 2. The Color Computer was not the best, nor the fastest of the "home computers", but what it did have was Radio Shack. Radio Shack in the early 1980's was everywhere. Here in Canada, EVERY shopping mall had at least 1 Radio Shack, although I don't remember seeing a "store front", just in the malls. With that said, you could just bring it there to get fixed. Every other computer out on the market was sold through retail stores like Sears, and even up here in Canada, Canadian Tire, sold Commodore, but you had to ship the computer away by mail, if anything was wrong. This was back in the day, when there were no Computer Stores on hand. Because of the available support, and the ease of use "and HACKING" factor, the CoCo became one of the most popular home computers for over 10 years. Microsoft had a small part in this also, as most reviewers state that Tandy's Basic, was one of the best, and easiest (to use) form of Microsoft's basic available. I also must add that Tandy made (in my mind) the best Basic Manuals ever. These were written so a child could understand, and they made it fun.

The following is an actual bench mark I have pulled off off the internet. I do not know what Benchmark they were using, but it was the "Standard" at the time.

First Released: 1980
 

CPU: 8 bit 6809E 
Clock speed: 0.89 MHz
Bus type: Tandy Proprietary
Data bus width:  8 - bit
Address bus width: 16 - bit

Memory       

Standard on system board 4K (early models) or 16K
Maximum on system board 32k (early models) or 64K
Maximum total memory 64K

ROM: 8K expandable to 16K
Ports: RS232C serial ports, Mouse/joystick (shared)

Display Screen size: 32 X 16

Resolution: 9 / 256 X 192

Storage : Tape and Floppy

Operating System: Microsoft basic ver 1.1 (built in)

Ebay Photo

* A personal note:

While I was busy building this site, I pulled out my "First edition" Co Co for some photos. 2 years ago I had purchased this (off
e-bay) and Brian and I had dismantled it (for a project to upgrade it to a full Windows Machine using an Via Eden Motherboard - More on that in my "PROJECTS" Page [when I build it]). I carefully stored all the components and I pulled it out to take photos the other day. The original box came with it and in those days a TRS 80 Quick Printer 2 also was included "in the Box"

On the side of the box, it has a check-mark in the model number 26-3001. [4K Ram plus Color Basic]. On the underside of the computer itself, the main sticker says "26-3001",but there are 2 other stickers, on that says "26-3015 16K RAM, and another that says "26-3018 Extended Basic ROM". The "Bubble" label says 16K. This is very strange and leads me to believe that :
A) this machine was special ordered and was upgraded at the factory, and they were out of the 26-3002 (which had these upgrades) or
B) this upgrade was done at a local service center after it was sold to the customer-which begs the question "why the extra model numbers?"

If anyone has a logical answer, please feel free to e-mail me.
*UPDATE
I found out that this is indeed an upgrade that was done at a factory Authorized Service center. Why they went with all these stickers instead of one that stated "UPGRADE" is any one's guess.

The Operation Manual and the "Quick Start" guide. All though the Quick Start above is for the CoCo2, they are Identical except for the photo on the front. When I get a good Quick start for the CoCo1 I will post it.