website/content/museum/nec-pc-8201a.md

title, categories, types, origins, years, cpus, params

title	categories	types	origins	years	cpus	params
NEC PC 8201A	Computers	Portable	Japan	1983	Intel 80C85	name image company company_name specs tabs forum_thread photos screenshots docs oc_id source PC 8201A /media/museum/photos/nec_pc8201a_1.jpg /companies/nec NEC label value NAME PC 8201A label value MANUFACTURER NEC label value TYPE Portable label value ORIGIN Japan label value YEAR 1983 label value BUILT IN LANGUAGE Microsoft BASIC 1.0 label value KEYBOARD Full-stroke 67-key with 5 function keys and arrow keypad label value CPU Intel 80C85 label value SPEED 2.4 576 MHz label value RAM 16 KB up to 64 KB internally, and 128 KB via IC sockets underneath unit label value ROM 32 KB (standard, up to 64 KB) label value TEXT MODES 40 chars. x 8 lines label value GRAPHIC MODES 240 x 64 dots label value COLORS Monochrome label value SOUND 4 channels, 3.5 octaves label value SIZE / WEIGHT 30 (W) x 21.3 (D) x 3.3 (H) cm. / 1.7 kg label value I/O PORTS RS 232 (DSUB 25 pin type), SIO1, SIO2 connectors, 8 pin duPont BERG modular jack - 3 megabytes/minute max transfer CMT socket - 8 pin DIN plug for cassette recorder, Standard centronics printer port, Bar code reader socket - 9 pin DSUB connector, SYSTEM SLOT - for ram cartridges (programs, software etc.) label value BUILT IN MEDIA CMOS battery backup RAM label value POWER SUPPLY 4 x AA batteries, NiCad battery pack or AC adaptor (DC 6-8.5V, 600mW) label value PERIPHERALS External FD units, RAM expansion, external monitor adaptor, bar-code reader label value PRICE $675 - £546 photos software docs 339 title subtitle text image 4AA BATTERY PACK /media/museum/photos/nec8201a-4.jpg title subtitle text image SIDE, SHOWING CARDRIDGE PORT /media/museum/photos/nec8201a-5.jpg title subtitle text image FRONT VIEW Thanks to **Ray Payne** /media/museum/photos/nec_pc8201_system_1.jpg title subtitle text image BOTTOM SIDE **(1)** Batteries housing\ **(2)** ROM / RAM extensions\ **(3)** Backup power switch Thanks to **Ray Payne** /media/museum/photos/nec_pc8201_bottom_1.jpg title subtitle text image REAR SIDE **(1)** External AC adaptor plug\ **(2)** RAM backup switch. RAM content can be saved when the computer is switched off.\ **(3)** Reset switch\ **(4)** Serial I/O ports 1 & 2\ **(5)** Barre code reader plug\ **(6)** Parallel printer connector\ **(7)** RS-232 serial connector\ **(8)** Tape recorder DIN plug Thanks to **Ray Payne** /media/museum/photos/nec_pc8201_back_1.jpg title subtitle text image LEFT & RIGHT SIDES **(1)** Cartridges port\ **(2)** Batteries housing Thanks to **Ray Payne** /media/museum/photos/nec_pc8201_leftrightsides_1.jpg title subtitle text image RED MODEL The 8201 could be delivered with white, red or silver case. /media/museum/photos/nec_pc8201_red_1.jpg title subtitle text image DISPLAY CLOSE-UP /media/museum/photos/nec_pc8201a_display_1.jpg title subtitle text image DISPLAY CLOSE-UP #2 /media/museum/photos/nec_pc8201a_display_2.jpg title subtitle text image SYSTEM & LEATHER CASE /media/museum/photos/nec_pc8201_leather-case.jpg title subtitle text image NEC BAG /media/museum/photos/nec_pc8201_bag_1.jpg title subtitle text image SAME HARDWARE BASE Like Philips which sells in Europe a part of its products range under Radiola or Schneider brands names, or Sharp pocket computers, also sold under Tandy name with minor design changes, these three computers (<$475$>Olivetti M10, <$334$>NEC 8201, <$233$>Tandy Mod. 100)are, in fact the same model, manufactured by Kyocera company. If hardware part is basically the same, external design may differ. Olivetti propose a tilting display, Nec adds arrows keys, etc. Major purpose of this partnership is to reduce study and manufacturing costs. The same model, designed and manufactured by a single company should be 25% more expensive. /media/museum/photos/olivetti_m10_samehard.jpg title subtitle text image DEMONSTRATION TAPE This tape, delivered with the machine, holds 25 programs, among them: Calc, TxtForm, Invest, Fcast, Loan, Schedule, Chrdef, sequential and direct access file demos, Terminal, Music, Tank, Snake,... Thanks to **Ray Payne** /media/museum/software/nec_pc8201_demotape_1.jpg title url cover text PC-8201A - USER'S GUIDE http://www.club100.org/library/libdoc.html /media/museum/docs/couvs/nec_8201a_user-guide.jpg [**PC-8201A - USER'S GUIDE**](http://www.club100.org/library/libdoc.html)written by NEC  compiled/archived by Charles Good\  type of document : PDF\  source : [www.club100.org](http://www.club100.org) title url cover text PC-8201A - N82-BASIC REFERENCE MANUAL http://www.club100.org/library/libdoc.html /media/museum/docs/couvs/nec_8201a_basic-reference.jpg [**PC-8201A - N82-BASIC REFERENCE MANUAL**](http://www.club100.org/library/libdoc.html)written by NEC  compiled/archived by Charles Good\  type of document : PDF\  source : [www.club100.org](http://www.club100.org) 334 url date https://web.archive.org/web/20230529185226/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=334 2023-05-29

Sheduled to be released in the U.S. in 1983 summertime, the PC-8201 was expected to compete directly with Tandy Model 100. Both machines were very similar, but the NEC could expand its internal RAM memory from 16 KB to 64 KB (only 32 KB for the Model 100).

The 8201's 32 KB ROM contained the operating system, Microsoft BASIC interpreter, a simple text-editing program and a telecommunication program. It could display the full 128 ASCII character set as well as Japanese Katakana characters and 61 user-definable characters.

Nec produced its own range of peripherals for the 8201, like a floppy disc controller (PC-8233) and various floppy drive units, including the most sold 3.5" unit (PC-8031). A video monitor adapter (PC-8240), an acoustic modem and a bar-code reader were also available.

Same hardware basis, made in fact by Kyocera, was also sold as the Tandy (TRS-80) Model 100 (USA), Olivetti M10 (Europe), and Kyocera Keytronic (Asia).

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Ben adds:
You can sync this computer with a standard PC using a serial cable connection and some terminal program like PROCOMM. I've gotten it to work with ASCII protocol so far.
Something else really cool is that this system should last 20+ hours on a single charge of batteries. That, and a really high-quality keboard for quick note-grabbing during a class or a presentation.

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.