website/content/museum/nec-pc-8801.md

---
title: NEC PC 8801
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Home Computer
origins:
- Japan
years:
- '1981'
cpus:
- uPD780C-1
params:
  name: PC 8801
  image: /media/museum/photos/nec_pc8801_1.jpg
  company: /companies/nec
  company_name: NEC
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: PC 8801
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: NEC
  - label: TYPE
    value: Home Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: Japan
  - label: YEAR
    value: December 1981
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: N88-BASIC, N-BASIC (PC8001 MODE)
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: Full-stroke keyboard 67 key + 20 key numeric pad + 5 function keys
  - label: CPU
    value: uPD780C-1(Z80A compatible)
  - label: SPEED
    value: 4 MHz
  - label: RAM
    value: 64 KB (up to 576 KB)
  - label: VRAM
    value: 48 KB
  - label: ROM
    value: 72 KB
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 36/40/72/80 characters x 20/25 lines
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: 640 x 200 (8 colours), 640 x 400 (Monochrome)
  - label: COLORS
    value: '8'
  - label: SOUND
    value: 3 FM channels + 3 SSG + 6 rhythms + 1 ADPCM
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: |-
      main case: 496W x 342D x 107H / 7.1 Kg\
      keyboard: 464W x 214D x 73H / 2 Kg
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: |-
      4 expansion slots\
      Tape recorder (600/1200 baud)\
      RS232C\
      CRT(MONO/DIGITAL), Centronics
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: PSU built-in, AC100V±10%, 40w-70w
  - label: PERIPHERALS
    value: Dual 5'' (2x320 KB) or 8'' (2x1 MB) floppy drive unit
  - label: PRICE
    value: 228 000 yen (Japan, 1981)
  tabs:
  - photos
  - adverts
  - hardware
  - connectors
  - software
  - emulators
  - links
  forum_thread: 396
  photos:
  - title: PC 8801
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/nec_pc8801_2b.jpg
  - title: CLOSE-UP
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/nec_pc8801_zoom.jpg
  - title: REAR
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/nec_pc8801_rear.jpg
  adverts:
  - title: U.S. ADVERT APR. 1983
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/pubs/nec_pc8800_pub_1.jpg
  - title: U.S. ADVERT JUNE 1983
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      Advert said:

      With NEC's PC-8800 personal computer, you don't have to ask yourself which comes first, the hardware or the software.\
      It's designed to be uncompromising in both areas. So you come first. In the office or at home.\
      The hardware gives you your choice of 8-bit or 16-bit processors, 5 1/4" or 8" disk drives and standard green or high resolution color monitor.\
      The software includes advanced, user friendly programs for all types of banking, accounting and business management. Plus free WordStar word processing, and MailMerge, Multiplan spread sheet, BASIC (two versions), and CP/M...
    image: /media/museum/pubs/nec_pc8800_pub_2.jpg
  - title: UK ADVERT SEPT. 1983
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/pubs/nec_pc8800_pub_s3.jpg
  hardware:
  - title: DUAL 5.25'' FLOPPY DISCS UNIT
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      Dual 5.25" Double-side, double-density 320 KB floppy drive unit.\
      The unit uses the 8255 parallel interface. It can be also used with PC-8001/mkII, PC-8801 Series, PC-9801/E/F/M etc.
    image: /media/museum/hardware/nec_pc8001mk2sr_fdunit-s1.jpg
  connectors:
  - title: COMPOSITE VIDEO DIN PLUG
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      **(1)** VDD 12V\
      **(2)** GND\
      **(3)** Video Out\
      **(4)** NC\
      **(5)** Light pen
    image: /media/museum/connectors/nec_pc8001_compositeplug_1.jpg
  - title: RGB VIDEO DIN PLUG
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      **(1)** VDD 12V\
      **(2)** GND\
      **(3)** Color clock\
      **(4)** H-SYNC\
      **(5)** V-SYNC\
      **(6)** R\
      **(7)** G\
      **(8)** B
    image: /media/museum/connectors/nec_pc8001_rgbplug_1.jpg
  emulators:
  - title: M88 emulator
    url: http://retropc.net/cisc/m88/
    platform: Windows
    text: Japanese emulator
  - title: PC88 Emulator
    url: http://home.highway.ne.jp/soltin/pc88win.html
    platform: Windows
    text: Japanese emulator
  - title: PC-8801mk2SR Emulator's Page
    url: http://webclub.kcom.ne.jp/mb/ume-3/pc88emu.html
    platform: Multiplatform
    text: Emultors list
  - title: QUASI88
    url: http://www.117.ne.jp/~show/pc8801/pc88emu2.html
    platform: Multiplatform
    text: Multiplatform emulator
  links:
  - title: Kubota's museum
    url: http://my.reset.jp/~toragiku/kopa/88.htm
    text: Interesting page (japanese)
  related:
  - /museum/nec-pc-8001
  - /museum/nec-pc-8001-mk-2
  - /museum/nec-pc-8001-mk-2-sr
  - /museum/nec-pc-8801-fa
  - /museum/nec-pc-8801-fe
  - /museum/nec-pc-88va
  software:
  - /software/177-146
  oc_id: 398
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230528085355/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=398
    date: '2023-05-28'
---

The NEC PC 8801 was the successor of [PC 8001](/museum/nec-pc-8001/). It offered fine colour graphics.\
It had an optional MS-Dos board. It was one of the fist, if not the first color CPM computer.

It ran in three bootable modes: CPM, MS-Dos, and N88-Basic. The N-Basic would natively boot on the system without disk, just like the PC 8001. It also had a software / hardware switch to turn it into PC 8001 mode.

<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>