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yann64andClaude Opus 5.5 b274874139 All machines linked to their forum thread (full comment import)
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---
title: Casio PB-100
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Pocket
origins:
- Japan
years:
- '1982'
cpus:
- HD61913 CMOS VLSI
params:
name: PB-100
image: /media/museum/photos/casio_pb100_system_s1.jpg
company: /companies/casio
company_name: Casio
specs:
- label: NAME
value: PB-100
- label: MANUFACTURER
value: Casio
- label: TYPE
value: Pocket
- label: ORIGIN
value: Japan
- label: YEAR
value: '1982'
- label: END OF PRODUCTION
value: Unknown
- label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
value: Basic interpreter
- label: KEYBOARD
value: 53 keys with numeric keypad
- label: CPU
value: HD61913 CMOS VLSI
- label: SPEED
value: 455 kHz ceramic resonator used as system clock
- label: RAM
value: 1 KB (544 bytes for Basic programs) up to 2 KB
- label: ROM
value: 12 KB
- label: TEXT MODES
value: 1 line x 12 chars plus a 4 digit seven segment display part
- label: GRAPHIC MODES
value: None
- label: COLORS
value: Monochrome LCD
- label: SOUND
value: None
- label: SIZE / WEIGHT
value: 165 (W) x 71 (D) x 10 (H) mm / 116 g (with batteries)
- label: I/O PORTS
value: |-
12-pin expansion port for printer and cassette interface\
11-pin internal slot for memory module
- label: POWER SUPPLY
value: 2 x CR-2032 lithium batteries
- label: PERIPHERALS
value: |-
OR-1 1 kB RAM PACK\
FA-3 cassette interface\
FP-12 mini thermal printer
- label: PRICE
value: 63 (France, Dec. 1984)
tabs:
- photos
- adverts
- hardware
- links
- docs
- videos
forum_thread: 974
photos:
- title: LARGE VIEW
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/casio_pb100_system_s2.jpg
- title: FRONT VIEW
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/casio_pb100_frontview_s1.jpg
- title: INSIDE THE PB-100
subtitle: ''
text: |-
**(1)** LCD display\
**(2)** HD61913 main chip\
**(3)** HD61914 1 KB static RAM chip\
**(4)** Expansion connector\
**(5)** Optional 1 KB RAM card connector\
**(6)** LCD contrast knob
image: /media/museum/photos/casio_pb100_inside_s1.jpg
- title: MANUALS
subtitle: ''
text: German user and programming manuals
image: /media/museum/photos/casio_pb100_manuals_s1.jpg
adverts:
- title: FRENCH AD (SEPT. 1983)
subtitle: ''
text: '"Casio. Basic, it''s magic"'
image: /media/museum/pubs/casio_pb100_pub_magique_2.jpg
hardware:
- title: CASSETTE INTERFACE
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/casio_pb100_fa3%20interf_s1.jpg
links:
- title: Silrun Systems
url: http://www.silrun.info/
text: Documentations to download for Casio pockets ! Useful.
- title: The Pocket Computer Museum
url: http://pocket.free.fr/
text: The site to visit for pockets computers !
docs:
- title: CASIO PB-100 FRENCH USER MANUAL
url: http://www.ledudu.com/images/pockets/casio/broche/pb100.pdf
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/casio_pb100_userdoc_french.jpg
text: |-
[**CASIO PB-100 FRENCH USER MANUAL**](http://www.ledudu.com/images/pockets/casio/broche/pb100.pdf)written by Casio
 compiled/archived by www.ledudu.com\
 type of document : PDF\
 size : 9,8 MB\
 source : [www.ledudu.com](http://www.ledudu.com)
**... READ THE ONLINE VERSION BY CLICKING BELOW :**
- title: 60 PROGRAMMES POUR CASIO PB-100
url: http://www.ledudu.com/images/pockets/casio/broche/60programmesspourpb100.pdf
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/casio_pb100_60progs.jpg
text: |-
[**60 PROGRAMMES POUR CASIO PB-100**](http://www.ledudu.com/images/pockets/casio/broche/60programmesspourpb100.pdf)written by Gilles Probst
 compiled/archived by www.ledudu.com\
 type of document : PDF\
 size : 4,1 MB\
 source : [www.ledudu.com](http://www.ledudu.com)
**... READ THE ONLINE VERSION BY CLICKING BELOW :**
videos:
- title: Casio PB-100 japanese commercial
url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2pD6g66Erc
text: 'Length: 14 s'
related:
- /museum/casio-fx-700p
- /museum/casio-fx-702p
- /museum/casio-pb-300
oc_id: 1000
source:
url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230609171653/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1000
date: '2023-06-09'
---
The PB-100 represents Casio's step towards "real" pocket computers. While its ancestor, the [FX-702P](/museum/casio-fx-702p/), was still called "Programmable Calculator", the PB-100 proudly bears the title "Personal Computer".
However, the PB-100 seems to have been a true low-cost design. Its specifications are clearly inferior to those of its predecessor, the FX-702P, as well as to SHARP's earlier pockets. The limited 12 character display makes BASIC programming and debugging a painstaking endeavor.
In its standard version, it is equipped with 1 KB of RAM which results in only 544 bytes for BASIC, which is really limiting. At least, with the memory module OR-1, it can be upgraded to 1568 bytes of user memory, so it begins to make sense that BASIC memory can be subdivided into 10 independent program areas P0-P9.
Moreover, the keyboard had been reduced to the absolute minimum; at any rate, it provided a QWERTY style layout (the FX-702P had a non-standard alphabetical layout).\
On the other hand, the cute little machine is really small and lightweight, a real pocket device.
The main circuits of the PB-100 are basically made up of two chips. Processor logics, ROM, display driver, and keyboard controller are integrated in a single CMOS VLSI chip HD61913, which has an external 4-bit bus. The second main component is a HD61914, which is a 8192-bit static RAM organized as 2048 words by 4 bits.
In 1983, the PB-100 was also released by Tandy Radio Shack as [TRS-80 PC-4](/museum/tandy-radio-shack-trs-80-pc-4/) and by Olympia as [OP-544](/museum/olympia-op-544-op-644/).
Thanks to **Roman von Wartburg** ([retrocomputing.ch](http://retrocomputing.ch/)) for this information.
---
PB-100 vs mainframe by **Richard Chequer**:\
I have a Casio PB-100 (with the optional OR-1 memory) which I have owned and used since 1983.\
I have shadowed mainframe programs (pension calculations) using the PB-100. A work colleague would code the mainframe solution and I would do the equivalent with the Casio: if the answers agreed, the mainframe code was deemed correct.\
The limitations of the display do mean that you have to write any potential program out on paper prior to typing it in. I have not had many problems with the limited memory: it is not designed for running large programs.\
The only limitation in the code is that there is no "ELSE" construct on IF statements. This did not limit the programming, but the coding required was less elegant and compact than if this construct was implemented.\
I still use the machine today and I consider it to be much easier to use than a programmable calculator. In terms of maintenance it has only required new batteries - and not too many of those, either!