website/content/museum/nec-pc-6001-mk-2.md

---
title: NEC PC 6001 MK 2
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Home Computer
origins:
- Japan
years:
- '1983'
cpus:
- ìPD780C-1
params:
  name: PC 6001 MK 2
  company: /companies/nec
  company_name: NEC
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: PC 6001 MK 2
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: NEC
  - label: TYPE
    value: Home Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: Japan
  - label: YEAR
    value: July 1983
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: N60 Basic, N60 Extended Basic & N60m Basic available
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: Full-stroke keyboard, JIS standard layout, 64 keys, 5 function keys, 4 cursor keys, kana letter key
  - label: CPU
    value: ìPD780C-1 (Z80A compatible)
  - label: SPEED
    value: 3.9936 Mhz
  - label: CO-PROCESSOR
    value: ìPD8049 (I/O management)
  - label: RAM
    value: 64 KB
  - label: ROM
    value: 32 KB (Basic) + 32 KB (Chinese characters ROM) + 16 KB (Character generator) + 16 KB (optional synthesis)
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 32 x 16, 40 x 20
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: 64 x 48, 80 x 40, 128 x 192, 160 x 200, 256 x 192, 320 x 200
  - label: COLORS
    value: '15'
  - label: SOUND
    value: |-
      Internal speaker, 3 voices, 8 octaves\
      optional speech synthesizer (2 octaves)
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: 365 x 87 x 260 mm / 3.3 Kg
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: Joysticks, cartridge slot, floppy disk connector, printer connector, RGB video output, RF video output , Composite video output, Tape interface (600/1200 baud), audio output, superimposition connector, RS-232c
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: AC100V±10% 50/60Hz, 25w
  - label: PRICE
    value: 84 800 yen (Japan, 1983)
  tabs:
  - photos
  photos:
  - title: PC 6001 MK 2
    subtitle: ''
    text: Thanks to **Juan Villa**
    image: null
  - title: RIGHT SIDE
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      The cartridge slot is located on the right side.

      Thanks to **Juan Villa**
    image: null
  - title: REAR SIDE
    subtitle: ''
    text: Thanks to **Juan Villa**
    image: null
  - title: OPENED
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      The power supply unit, video modulator and keyboard are located on the upper side.

      Thanks to **Juan Villa**
    image: null
  - title: INSIDE
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      In this model, the original NEC µP D780C-1 is replaced by a Zilog Z80-A.

      Thanks to **Juan Villa**
    image: null
  - title: BOOT SCREEN
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      User can select one of three versions of the NEC BASIC with various RAM configurations.

      Thanks to **Juan Villa**
    image: null
  comments:
  - author: MacDeath
    date: Monday 28th February 2011
    text: |-
      This Computer actualy have the same specification as an Amstrad CPC computer...\
      Be it CPU : Z80A (clone here), sound PSG : AY-3-8910(AY-3-8910 on CPC too) and the graphic modes of 160x200x16 and 320x200x4.

      The main differences ?\
      -In built Vocal Synthtiser (those were exeternal peripheral on CPC) and a different Basic which includes Japanese characters.\
      -Nec has a ZX Spectrum like 15 colours palette while CPC has a 3x3x3 cubic RGB palette (27 colours)\
      -Disk Drives and RAM/ROM differ from models to models of course.
  - author: go_
    date: Sunday 18th September 2016
    text: |-
      1 GND\
      2 GND\
      3 GND\
      4 CMTOUT\
      5 CMTIN\
      6 REMOTE+\
      7 REMOTE-\
      8 GND
  - author: Jet Fidelis (Brasil)
    date: Saturday 18th October 2014
    text: |-
      Hi,

      Can you please help me to searching to NEC PC-6001MkII cassete pin out?
  oc_id: 393
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230608215355/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=393
    date: '2023-06-08'
---

The PC 6001 MK II was an improvement over the orginal [PC-6001](/museum/nec-pc-6001/). It was available in two color cases: silver and ivory.

The system could work under three different Basic modes: N60 Basic, N60 Extended Basic and N60m Basic, each one offering different text and graphic modes, the maximum being 320x200 with 4 colors.

There is a ROM holding 1024 chinese characters.

---

**dimitris theodoropoylos** from Greece reports to us:\
The model I describe is the Nec Pc 6001 B MK II. It was sold in Greece in mid 1986. After power up, you had to choose between:\
1)N60 BASIC 16 KRAM\
2)N60 BASIC 32 KRAM\
3)N60 EXTENDED BASIC 16 KRAM\
4)N60 EXTENDED BASIC 32 KRAM\
5)N60 M BASIC 64 KRAM\
The first two versions were probably added for compatibility with previous models. The extended versions managed graphics,and floppy drives.\
The last version was the most powerful, it had all functions of extended versions as well as the ability to display 320x200/15 colour graphics.\
The ROM also held a simple monitor program.\
It was one of the rare computers offering Greek letters in ROM. One could find the following chips: CPU PD780C1, co-pro PD780-02 (IN-OUT, TAPE, PRINTER AND SCREEN), PD78007 (RGB CONTROL), PDZ80-08 (MODULATOR CONTROL), 2xPD8255's for printer and floppy drives, PD8049 (keyboard) and AY-3-8910 for sound.\
The machine didn't have Serial RS232 interface, only an empty socket for later installation.\
The micro was slow , the mbasic was slow,the tape interface was very slow -((\
With the lack of software (in Greece) in a market full of cheaper amstrad's and spectrum's, and the upcoming era of 16-bit machines it was a complete faillure. I think that no more than 50 pieces were sold, considering that Greece was a very small and tight market.

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.