---
title: Sanyo MBC-1200 / 1250
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Professional Computer
origins:
- Japan
years:
- '1982'
cpus:
- Z80-A
params:
  name: MBC-1200 / 1250
  image: /media/museum/photos/sanyo_mbc-1200_1.jpg
  company: /companies/sanyo
  company_name: Sanyo
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: MBC-1200 / 1250
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: Sanyo
  - label: TYPE
    value: Professional Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: Japan
  - label: YEAR
    value: '1982'
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: None
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: Full stroke 83 with 17 function keys and numeric keypad
  - label: CPU
    value: Z80-A
  - label: SPEED
    value: 4 MHz
  - label: CO-PROCESSOR
    value: Second Z80-A (I/O and display)
  - label: RAM
    value: 64 KB
  - label: ROM
    value: Unknown
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 80 chars x 25/33/40 lines
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: 640 x 400 pixels
  - label: COLORS
    value: Monochrome
  - label: SOUND
    value: Beeper
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: 41 (W) x 33.7 (D) x 37 (H) cm
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: Parallel Centronics, Serial RS-232
  - label: BUILT IN MEDIA
    value: 2 x 640 KB 5.25'' floppy discs
  - label: OS
    value: CP/M
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: Built-in power supply unit
  - label: PERIPHERALS
    value: Unknown
  - label: PRICE
    value: £2294 (1250) (U.K., 1983)
  oc_id: 1180
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230417020140/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1180
    date: '2023-04-17'
---

The MBC-1200 and MBC-1250 are two 8-bit CP/M machines intended for business market. They were the first Sanyo business machines to have graphics capability.

They feature a high-resolution 640 X 400 dot matrix for graphic displays or a 40 line X 80 character text mode. The auxiliary CPU ensures high speed execution of graphics, while the detachable ergonomic keyboard and coiled cable enhance ease of use.

There was no difference between the 1200 and 1250 models except that they left the factory with 1 or 2 drives installed. It was often done that a 1200 model would have a drive added by the dealer, as it was sometimes less expensive to add the Teac 5.25" disk drive than buy the 1250, or often the 1200s were more available in stock.

The Sanyo MBC-1250 was the last CP/M-80 computer Sanyo sold to the US Business System market. Preceding it were the [MBC-1000 series](/museum/sanyo-mbc-1000/) and the [MBC-1100 series](/museum/sanyo-mbc-1100-1150/), all of which had integral monitors. When the not-so-IBM-compatible [MBC-550](/museum/sanyo-mbc-55x/) was introduced with a 3.58 MHz 8088 CPU, 128 KB of memory, and one 160 KB SSDD disk drive, this computer had **TWO** 4.0 MHz Z80A CPUs and 640 KB disk drives.

---

Thanks to [Victor Frank](http://www.qsl.net/k6fv/compmenu.html) and **Rusty Beard** for most of the info !

<table> <tr> <td></td> <td>We need more info about this computer ! If you designed, used, or have more info about this system, please send us pictures or anything you might find useful.</td> <td></td> </tr> </table>