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

---
title: NEC PC 8801 FE
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Home Computer
origins:
- Japan
years:
- '1988'
cpus:
- Z-80 compatible
params:
  name: PC 8801 FE
  image: /media/museum/photos/nec_pc8801fe2_1.jpg
  company: /companies/nec
  company_name: NEC
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: PC 8801 FE
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: NEC
  - label: TYPE
    value: Home Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: Japan
  - label: YEAR
    value: ? 1988
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: Full-stroke keyboard with separated numeric keypad
  - label: CPU
    value: Z-80 compatible
  - label: SPEED
    value: 8 MHz / 4 MHz
  - label: RAM
    value: 64 KB
  - label: VRAM
    value: 48 KB
  - label: ROM
    value: 128 KB (N88-BASIC, system ROM) + 256 KB (Chineese characters)
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 80x25 / 80x20 / 40x25 / 40x20
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: 640x400 / 640x200
  - label: COLORS
    value: 512 available / 8 on-screen
  - label: SOUND
    value: 3 FM channels, 3 PSG channels
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: 354 (W) x 343 (D) x 90 (H) / 9 Kg
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: Analog RGB video output, Composite video output, Printer, Mouse, Serial interface
  - label: BUILT IN MEDIA
    value: 2 x 5.25'' disk-drives (DD, 320 KB)
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: Power supply built-in, AC 100v, Max. 42W
  - label: PRICE
    value: 12,900 yen (Japan, 1988)
  tabs:
  - photos
  - hardware
  - connectors
  - emulators
  - links
  photos:
  - title: PC 8801 FE
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/nec_pc8801fe_above.jpg
  - title: FRONT
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/nec_pc8801fe_front.jpg
  - title: REAR
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/nec_pc8801fe_rear.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: QUASI88
    url: http://www.117.ne.jp/~show/pc8801/pc88emu2.html
    platform: Multiplatform
    text: Multiplatform emulator
  links:
  - title: Web Wiz CAPTCHA
    url: http://www.webwizcaptcha.com
    text: ''
  comments:
  - author: mattos (brazil)
    date: Saturday 20th March 2004
    text: Do you have the manual of this computer? ore some other paper? thanks
  related:
  - /museum/nec-pc-8001
  - /museum/nec-pc-8001-mk-2
  - /museum/nec-pc-8001-mk-2-sr
  - /museum/nec-pc-8801
  - /museum/nec-pc-8801-fa
  - /museum/nec-pc-88va
  oc_id: 400
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230207191246/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=400
    date: '2023-02-07'
---

As for the PC-88xx series, a lot of versions were released. In 1988, PC-98xx were already sold for hobby users. 8-bit machines were about to become history. The PC-8801FE was positioned as a low-cost entry machine but it did not succeed in the market.

This machine did not have expansion slot, nor N88-BASIC disks (only disk-utilities were included), in order to reduce cost. But it had video-output and superimpose feature to enjoy games on a television. This was the sole new feature.

However, Televisions were already hijacked by Nintendo and RGB monitors were already available for PC-9801. There was no place left for the PC-8801FE.

---

Thanks to Nomura Hisayuki for the info

<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>