---
title: Sanco TPC-8300
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Pocket
origins:
- Japan
years:
- '1983'
cpus:
- 8-bit CMOS NEC µPD 78C06
params:
  name: TPC-8300
  image: /media/museum/photos/sanco_tpc8300_system_s1.jpg
  company: /companies/sanco
  company_name: Sanco
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: TPC-8300
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: Sanco
  - label: TYPE
    value: Pocket
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: Japan
  - label: YEAR
    value: June 1983
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: BASIC interpreter
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: 62 keys with 5 function keys, arrow keys and numeric keypad
  - label: CPU
    value: 8-bit CMOS NEC µPD 78C06
  - label: SPEED
    value: Unknown
  - label: RAM
    value: 6 KB - 4.5 KB available for BASIC programs. Expandable to 14 KB
  - label: ROM
    value: 18 KB
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 2 lines x 24 characters
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: None
  - label: COLORS
    value: Grey LCD
  - label: SOUND
    value: Beeper
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: 19.9 (W) x 9.6 (D) x 2.6 (H) cm / 410 g. with batteries
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: Expansion connector
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: 4 x AA batteries / 6V AC adaptor
  - label: PERIPHERALS
    value: |-
      TP83: Printer/cassette & Parallel interfaces expansion module\
      TCR80: 8 KB RAM expansion module
  - label: PRICE
    value: Unknown
  tabs:
  - photos
  - adverts
  photos:
  - title: LARGE VIEW
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/sanco_tpc8300_system_s2.jpg
  - title: BOTH SIDES
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      External power supply connector on the right side,\
      Expansion connector, mainly intended to the expansion module on the left side.
    image: /media/museum/photos/sanco_tpc8300_sides_s1.jpg
  - title: BACK SIDE
    subtitle: ''
    text: Batteries (large cover) and RAM expansion housings.
    image: /media/museum/photos/sanco_tpc8300_back_s1.jpg
  - title: COMPLETE SYSTEM
    subtitle: ''
    text: The TPC-8300 is connected to its expansion module which provides a Alps printer-plotter, rechargeable battery, tape recorder and Parallel interfaces.
    image: /media/museum/photos/sanco_tpc8300_expansion_s1.jpg
  - title: PRINTER CLOSE-UP
    subtitle: ''
    text: Alps designed and manufactured the whole TPC-8300 system, as well as this famous 4-colour mini printer-plotter which was adopted by numerous Japanese manufacturers. Two versions were made, 4.5 cm and 11 cm paper wide.
    image: /media/museum/photos/sanco_tpc8300_printer_s1.jpg
  - title: INSIDE
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      **(1)** The upper card supports the keyboard and LCD display. Three chips manage the LCD display\
      **(2)** Expansion connector\
      **(3)** NEC µPD 78C06 CPU. On top of the CPU, the chips also holds bus, memory and I/O management circuitry\
      **(4)** NEC ROM chip, holds the BASIC interpreter\
      **(5)** Three 6117 chips (2Kx8 static RAM) hold the 6 KB basic RAM\
      **(6)** Buzzer\
      **(7)** 4xAA batteries housing and external power supply jack.
    image: /media/museum/photos/sanco_tpc8300_inside_s1.jpg
  - title: HHC-2000 VERSION
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      The computer was also sold in Germany under the name Moffice HHC-2000

      Thanks to **[Jean-Francois LAROCHE](http://www.pocketmuseum.com)**
    image: /media/museum/photos/sanco_tpc8300_mofficeclone_s1.jpg
  adverts:
  - title: 'SANCO BROCHURE #1'
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/pubs/sanco_tpc8300_brochure_s1.jpg
  - title: 'SANCO BROCHURE #2'
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/pubs/sanco_tpc8300_brochure_s2.jpg
  oc_id: 1131
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230608151536/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1131
    date: '2023-06-08'
---

The Sanco TPC-8300 was made in Japan by Alps, the company that also made the famous mini 4-colour plotter-printer one found connected to numerous home computers and professionnal devices.

Alps probably took part in the design of the Sharp [PC-1500](/museum/sharp-pc-1500-pc-1500a/). The appearence of the TPC-8300 was thus close to the PC-1500's although all the features of the computer were laid down by the French Sanco company.

In spite of a 2-line display the computer had no success in French and European markets (some OEM versions vere sold in Germany), mainly because it was released about two years after the PC-1500. At that time, Sharp and Casio released better and smaller machines.

<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>