--- title: NEC PC 8201A categories: - Computers types: - Portable origins: - Japan years: - '1983' cpus: - Intel 80C85 params: name: PC 8201A image: /media/museum/photos/nec_pc8201a_1.jpg company: /companies/nec company_name: NEC specs: - label: NAME value: PC 8201A - label: MANUFACTURER value: NEC - label: TYPE value: Portable - label: ORIGIN value: Japan - label: YEAR value: '1983' - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE value: Microsoft BASIC 1.0 - label: KEYBOARD value: Full-stroke 67-key with 5 function keys and arrow keypad - label: CPU value: Intel 80C85 - label: SPEED value: 2.4 576 MHz - label: RAM value: 16 KB up to 64 KB internally, and 128 KB via IC sockets underneath unit - label: ROM value: 32 KB (standard, up to 64 KB) - label: TEXT MODES value: 40 chars. x 8 lines - label: GRAPHIC MODES value: 240 x 64 dots - label: COLORS value: Monochrome - label: SOUND value: 4 channels, 3.5 octaves - label: SIZE / WEIGHT value: 30 (W) x 21.3 (D) x 3.3 (H) cm. / 1.7 kg - label: I/O PORTS value: RS 232 (DSUB 25 pin type), SIO1, SIO2 connectors, 8 pin duPont BERG modular jack - 3 megabytes/minute max transfer CMT socket - 8 pin DIN plug for cassette recorder, Standard centronics printer port, Bar code reader socket - 9 pin DSUB connector, SYSTEM SLOT - for ram cartridges (programs, software etc.) - label: BUILT IN MEDIA value: CMOS battery backup RAM - label: POWER SUPPLY value: 4 x AA batteries, NiCad battery pack or AC adaptor (DC 6-8.5V, 600mW) - label: PERIPHERALS value: External FD units, RAM expansion, external monitor adaptor, bar-code reader - label: PRICE value: $675 - £546 tabs: - photos - software - docs forum_thread: 339 photos: - title: 4AA BATTERY PACK subtitle: '' text: '' image: /media/museum/photos/nec8201a-4.jpg - title: SIDE, SHOWING CARDRIDGE PORT subtitle: '' text: '' image: /media/museum/photos/nec8201a-5.jpg - title: FRONT VIEW subtitle: '' text: Thanks to **Ray Payne** image: /media/museum/photos/nec_pc8201_system_1.jpg - title: BOTTOM SIDE subtitle: '' text: |- **(1)** Batteries housing\ **(2)** ROM / RAM extensions\ **(3)** Backup power switch Thanks to **Ray Payne** image: /media/museum/photos/nec_pc8201_bottom_1.jpg - title: REAR SIDE subtitle: '' text: |- **(1)** External AC adaptor plug\ **(2)** RAM backup switch. RAM content can be saved when the computer is switched off.\ **(3)** Reset switch\ **(4)** Serial I/O ports 1 & 2\ **(5)** Barre code reader plug\ **(6)** Parallel printer connector\ **(7)** RS-232 serial connector\ **(8)** Tape recorder DIN plug Thanks to **Ray Payne** image: /media/museum/photos/nec_pc8201_back_1.jpg - title: LEFT & RIGHT SIDES subtitle: '' text: |- **(1)** Cartridges port\ **(2)** Batteries housing Thanks to **Ray Payne** image: /media/museum/photos/nec_pc8201_leftrightsides_1.jpg - title: RED MODEL subtitle: '' text: The 8201 could be delivered with white, red or silver case. image: /media/museum/photos/nec_pc8201_red_1.jpg - title: DISPLAY CLOSE-UP subtitle: '' text: '' image: /media/museum/photos/nec_pc8201a_display_1.jpg - title: 'DISPLAY CLOSE-UP #2' subtitle: '' text: '' image: /media/museum/photos/nec_pc8201a_display_2.jpg - title: SYSTEM & LEATHER CASE subtitle: '' text: '' image: /media/museum/photos/nec_pc8201_leather-case.jpg - title: NEC BAG subtitle: '' text: '' image: /media/museum/photos/nec_pc8201_bag_1.jpg - title: SAME HARDWARE BASE subtitle: '' text: Like Philips which sells in Europe a part of its products range under Radiola or Schneider brands names, or Sharp pocket computers, also sold under Tandy name with minor design changes, these three computers (<$475$>Olivetti M10, <$334$>NEC 8201, <$233$>Tandy Mod. 100)are, in fact the same model, manufactured by Kyocera company. If hardware part is basically the same, external design may differ. Olivetti propose a tilting display, Nec adds arrows keys, etc. Major purpose of this partnership is to reduce study and manufacturing costs. The same model, designed and manufactured by a single company should be 25% more expensive. image: /media/museum/photos/olivetti_m10_samehard.jpg screenshots: - title: DEMONSTRATION TAPE subtitle: '' text: |- This tape, delivered with the machine, holds 25 programs, among them: Calc, TxtForm, Invest, Fcast, Loan, Schedule, Chrdef, sequential and direct access file demos, Terminal, Music, Tank, Snake,... Thanks to **Ray Payne** image: /media/museum/software/nec_pc8201_demotape_1.jpg docs: - title: PC-8201A - USER'S GUIDE url: http://www.club100.org/library/libdoc.html cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/nec_8201a_user-guide.jpg text: |- [**PC-8201A - USER'S GUIDE**](http://www.club100.org/library/libdoc.html)written by NEC  compiled/archived by Charles Good\  type of document : PDF\  source : [www.club100.org](http://www.club100.org) - title: PC-8201A - N82-BASIC REFERENCE MANUAL url: http://www.club100.org/library/libdoc.html cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/nec_8201a_basic-reference.jpg text: |- [**PC-8201A - N82-BASIC REFERENCE MANUAL**](http://www.club100.org/library/libdoc.html)written by NEC  compiled/archived by Charles Good\  type of document : PDF\  source : [www.club100.org](http://www.club100.org) oc_id: 334 source: url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230529185226/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=334 date: '2023-05-29' --- Sheduled to be released in the U.S. in 1983 summertime, the PC-8201 was expected to compete directly with Tandy Model 100. Both machines were very similar, but the NEC could expand its internal RAM memory from 16 KB to 64 KB (only 32 KB for the Model 100). The 8201's 32 KB ROM contained the operating system, Microsoft BASIC interpreter, a simple text-editing program and a telecommunication program. It could display the full 128 ASCII character set as well as Japanese Katakana characters and 61 user-definable characters. Nec produced its own range of peripherals for the 8201, like a floppy disc controller (PC-8233) and various floppy drive units, including the most sold 3.5" unit (PC-8031). A video monitor adapter (PC-8240), an acoustic modem and a bar-code reader were also available. Same hardware basis, made in fact by Kyocera, was also sold as the [Tandy (TRS-80) Model 100](/museum/tandy-radio-shack-trs-80-model-100-102/) (USA), [Olivetti M10](/museum/olivetti-m10/) (Europe), and Kyocera Keytronic (Asia). --- **Ben** adds:\ You can sync this computer with a standard PC using a serial cable connection and some terminal program like PROCOMM. I've gotten it to work with ASCII protocol so far.\ Something else really cool is that this system should last 20+ hours on a single charge of batteries. That, and a really high-quality keboard for quick note-grabbing during a class or a presentation.
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.