---
title: Hitachi MB-16000
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Home Computer
origins:
- Japan
years:
- '1982'
cpus:
- Intel 8088
params:
  name: MB-16000
  image: /media/museum/photos/hitachi_16000_1.jpg
  company: /companies/hitachi
  company_name: Hitachi
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: MB-16000
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: Hitachi
  - label: TYPE
    value: Home Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: Japan
  - label: YEAR
    value: '1982'
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: Full stroke 90 keys with numeric keypad and 11 function keys
  - label: CPU
    value: Intel 8088
  - label: SPEED
    value: 4 MHz
  - label: CO-PROCESSOR
    value: Optional 8087 math coprocessor
  - label: RAM
    value: 128 KB (up to 384 KB)
  - label: VRAM
    value: 192 KB
  - label: ROM
    value: 16 KB
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 40 or 80 chars x 25 lines
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: 640 x 400 / 320 x 200 / 640 x 200 / 320 x 400
  - label: COLORS
    value: '16'
  - label: SOUND
    value: Beeper
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: 49 (W) x 25 (D) x 30.5 (H) cm (system unit)
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: RS232c, Centronics, RGB, Disk, Light Pen, 8 bit slots (5)
  - label: BUILT IN MEDIA
    value: Two 5.25'' DS/DD floppy discs
  - label: OS
    value: MS DOS
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: Built-in power supply unit
  - label: PERIPHERALS
    value: 5 expansion slots, 8'' floppy drives, 10 MB hard disc
  - label: PRICE
    value: £1695 (U.K., 1984)
  comments:
  - author: Albert (france)
    date: Monday 27th December 2004
    text: |-
      The 5.25'' drives were only 320kb not 360kb as usual on PC.\
      It had a "reset" key directly on the keyboard, you can see it on the\
      picture as the "F11" key, it looks bigger than others because it was\
      surrounded by plastic to prevent miss typing.
  oc_id: 138
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230415205058/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=138
    date: '2023-04-15'
---

Hitachi, along with Sharp and Canon, were among the Japanese video manufacturers who have decided to diversify into computers. They brought with them a strong reputation for reliability and value for money.

The Hitachi MB-16000 was one of the first Japanese [IBM PC](/museum/ibm-pc-model-5150/) compatibles.It was certainly well equipped and was able to compete at the highest level of PC and compatible systems of the time. It came complete with a colour monitor.

One of its interesting characteristics was its "enhanced" graphic mode: it was primary designed to be a CAD computer. A colour and monochrome version existed.

It ran MS-DOS. It was possible to connect an optional 10 Mb hard disk and a 256 Kb RAMdisk card was designed especially for this computer.

---

**Dennis** adds:\
However, it was unable to run any standard PC applications which required graphics. A UK club was formed to sleuth out any such programs which it could manage. By the end of 1986 the "sure to be a great success " "best value on the market" (as the 1984 reviewers said) was dead and gone under the onslaught of IBM PC's and Apples, to say nothing of Atari and partners!