---
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)
  forum_thread: 150
  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!