---
title: Kyocera Kyotronic 85
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Portable
origins:
- Japan
years:
- '1983'
cpus:
- Intel 80C85 CMOS low power version
params:
  name: Kyotronic 85
  image: /media/museum/photos/kyocera_kyotronic85_system_s1.jpg
  company: /companies/kyocera
  company_name: Kyocera
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: Kyotronic 85
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: Kyocera
  - label: TYPE
    value: Portable
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: Japan
  - label: YEAR
    value: '1983'
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: Microsoft BASIC
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: Typewriter type, 72 keys with 16 function keys and 4 arrow keys
  - label: CPU
    value: Intel 80C85 CMOS low power version
  - label: SPEED
    value: 2.4 MHz
  - label: RAM
    value: 8 to 32 KB
  - label: ROM
    value: 32 KB
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 40 columns x 8 lines
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: 240 x 64 dots
  - label: COLORS
    value: Monochrome
  - label: SOUND
    value: Beeper
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: 28 (W) x 21.6 (D) x 5 (D) cm
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: Parallel printer, Tape recorder, Bar Code reader, Serial RS232, Phone, System bus
  - label: BUILT IN MEDIA
    value: User RAM battery backup
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: 6V DC adaptor or 4 x AA batteries
  - label: PERIPHERALS
    value: Disk drive unit
  - label: PRICE
    value: Unknown
  tabs:
  - photos
  photos:
  - title: LARGE VIEW
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/kyocera_kyotronic85_system_s2.jpg
  comments:
  - author: DaveW (USA)
    date: Sunday 22nd July 2012
    text: |-
      I worked for the company that imported these to the USA. As I remember we imported about 1000 pcs. We advertised in the ComputerShopper magazine, and sold them at 799.00 retail price. They sold quickly and I remember that few problems in the field. This computer was really ahead of the rest of the market.

      The software in ROM made is very powerful out of the box. Some of the first to adapt this computer were news paper reporters, because of the full size keyboard and modem built-in to transmit the story to the office from the field.
  - author: DaveW (USA)
    date: Sunday 22nd July 2012
    text: |-
      I worked for the company that imported these to the USA. As I remember we imported about 1000 pcs. We advertised in the ComputerShopper magazine, and sold them at 799.00 retail price. They sold quickly and I remember that few problems in the field. This computer was really ahead of the rest of the market.

      The software in ROM made is very powerful out of the box. Some of the first to adapt this computer were news paper reporters, because of the full size keyboard and modem built-in to transmit the story to the office from the field.
  oc_id: 1079
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20221203155553/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1079
    date: '2022-12-03'
---

The Kyotronics 85 may be considered the world's first true laptop computer.

It was designed and sold in Japan by Kyocera (Kyoto Ceramics). But curiously, apart from the Japanese market, it was little sold in the world despite its very innovative design.

On the other hand, three major computer firms noticed this little gem and licenced it. Shortly afterwards, one would see the same computer sold under three different names and case designs in every corner of the world. These machines were the [NEC PC-8201](/museum/nec-pc-8201a/), the [Tandy Model 100](/museum/tandy-radio-shack-trs-80-model-100-102/) and the [Olivetti M10](/museum/olivetti-m10/).

Each brand added its own enhancement - arrow keys for the NEC, tilt display for the Olivetti, but the hardware basis was identical: an 8085 CPU, 8 to 32 KB of RAM, a full-size typewriter keyboard and an 8-line x 40-character LCD display.

Later, Tandy asked Kyocera to introduce changes and released the [Tandy 102](/museum/tandy-radio-shack-trs-80-model-100-102/) (larger memory) then the [Tandy 200](/museum/tandy-radio-shack-trs-80-model-200/) (larger display).

<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>