PC-8800 series: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Series of computers sold in Japan by NEC}}
[[File:NEC PC-8801.jpg|thumb|NEC PC-8801]]
{{Infobox Computer
| image = NEC PC-8801, Sony KV-1311CR and NEC PC-6082A 20160816.jpg
| logo = PC8800_logo.svg
| caption = NEC PC-8801
| release date = {{Start date and age|1981|11}}
| type = [[Personal computer]]
| cpu = [[NEC μPD780C-1]]
| CPUspeed = 4 MHz and higher
| memory = 64 [[kilobytes]] and higher
| successor = [[PC-9800 series]]
| predecessor = [[PC-8000 series]]
| developer = [[Nippon Electric]] (NEC)
| manufacturer = New Nippon Electric (NEC Home Electronics)
| os = [[BASIC|N-88 BASIC]]
| sound = Internal beeper (and higher)
| display = Text 80 × 25, graphics 160 × 100, 8 colors (and higher)
| graphics = SGP
| power = 100 VAC
}}
[[File:88SRBASIC.png|thumb|Boot screen with one-liner]]
[[File:88SRBASIC.png|thumb|Boot screen with one-liner]]
The {{nihongo|'''PC-8800 series'''|PC-8800シリーズ|Pī Shī Hassen Happyaku Shirīzu|lead=yes}}, commonly shortened to '''PC-88''', are a brand of [[Zilog Z80]]-based 8-bit [[home computer]]s released by [[Nippon Electric Company]] (NEC) in 1981 and primarily sold in [[Japan]].
The {{nihongo|'''PC-8800 series'''|PC-8800シリーズ|Pī Shī Hassen Happyaku Shirīzu|lead=yes}}, commonly shortened to '''PC-88''', are a brand of [[Zilog Z80]]-based 8-bit [[home computer]]s released by [[Nippon Electric Company]] (NEC) in 1981 and primarily sold in [[Japan]].


The PC-8800 series sold extremely well and became one of the three major Japanese home computers of the 1980s, along with the [[FM-7|Fujitsu FM-7]] and [[X1 (computer)|Sharp X1]]. It was later eclipsed by NEC's 16-bit [[PC-9800 series|PC-9800]] series, although it still maintained strong sales up until the early 90s.
The PC-8800 series sold extremely well and became one of the four major Japanese home computers of the 1980s, along with the [[FM-7|Fujitsu FM-7]], [[X1 (computer)|Sharp X1]] and the [[MSX]] computers. It was later eclipsed by NEC's 16-bit [[PC-9800 series]], although it still maintained strong sales up until the early 90s.


NEC's American subsidiary, NEC Home Electronics (USA), marketed variations of the PC-8800 in the United States.<ref name="Info World, May 1984">{{cite journal |title=New Products |journal=InfoWorld |date=May 1984 |page=52 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uS4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA52&dq=pc-8801 |access-date=June 20, 2013 |publisher=Infoworld Media Group Inc.}}</ref><ref name="Creative Computing, Nov 1983">{{cite magazine |title=NEC PC-8800 personal computer system (evaluation) |author-first=David H. |author-last=Ahl |magazine=Creative Computing |date=November 1983 |volume=9 |issue=11 |page=28 |url=http://www.atarimagazines.com/creative/v9n11/28_NEC_PC8800_personal_comp.php |access-date=June 20, 2013}}</ref>
NEC's American subsidiary, NEC Home Electronics (USA), marketed variations of the PC-8800 in the [[United States]]<ref name="Info World, May 1984">{{cite magazine|date=May 1984|title=New Products|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uS4EAAAAMBAJ&q=pc-8801&pg=PA52|journal=[[InfoWorld]]|page=52|access-date=June 20, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Creative Computing, Nov 1983">{{cite magazine |title=NEC PC-8800 personal computer system (evaluation) |author-first=David H. |author-last=Ahl |magazine=Creative Computing |date=November 1983 |volume=9 |issue=11 |page=28 |url=http://www.atarimagazines.com/creative/v9n11/28_NEC_PC8800_personal_comp.php |access-date=June 20, 2013}}</ref> and [[Canada]].


==History==
==History==
Nippon Electric's Electronic Device Sales division launched the [[PC-8001]] in September 1979, and by 1981 it dominated 40% of the Japanese personal computer market.<ref>{{Cite book|title=パソコン大図鑑 最新・人気パソコン目的別全カタログ|publisher=[[Kodansha]]|year=1981|isbn=4-06-141673-1|pages=30-31|language=Japanese}}</ref> At that time, Japanese personal computers were mostly used by hobbyists. The division introduced the PC-8801 in November 1981, and intended to expand the personal computer market into the business world.
Nippon Electric's Microcomputer Sales Section of the Electronic Device Sales Division launched the [[PC-8001]] in September 1979, and by 1981 it consisted of 40% of the Japanese personal computer market.<ref>{{Cite book|title=パソコン大図鑑 最新・人気パソコン目的別全カタログ|publisher=[[Kodansha]]|year=1981|isbn=4-06-141673-1|pages=30–31|language=ja}}</ref> In April 1981, Nippon Electric decided to expand personal computer lines into three groups: New Nippon Electric, Information Processing Group and Electronic Devices Group, with each specializing in a particular series. The Microcomputer Sales Section was reformed to the Microcomputer and Application Division in June 1980, and was renamed to the Personal Computer Division in April 1981. At that time, Japanese personal computers were mostly used by hobbyists. The division introduced the '''PC-8801''' in November 1981 and intended to expand the personal computer market into the business world.<ref name=":0" />


The PC-8801 was capable of displaying [[Kanji]] characters via an optional Kanji [[Read-only memory|ROM]] board. Various companies released Japanese [[word processor]] software for the machine, such as {{Nihongo|My Letter|マイレター}}, {{Nihongo|Writing|文筆|Bunpitsu}}, and {{Nihongo|2=ユーカラ|3=Yūkara}}. NEC themselves released {{Nihongo|Nihongo Word Processor|日本語ワードプロセッサ}} which was a rebranded version of Yukara, but it was not a success.<ref>{{Cite book|title=パソコン驚異の10年史―その誕生から近未来まで|last=片貝|first=孝夫|last2=平川|first2=敬子|publisher=[[Kodansha]]|year=1988|isbn=4-06-132721-6|pages=55-85|language=Japanese|chapter=日本語ワードプロセッサの歴史}}</ref> In addition to office software, companies like [[Enix]] and [[Koei]] released many popular games for the system, establishing the PC-8801 as a strong gaming platform.<ref name="nishimura_1988">{{Cite book|last=西村|first=正人|title=100万人の謎を解く ザ・PCの系譜|publisher=コンピュータ・ニュース社|year=1988|isbn=4-8061-0316-0|editor-last=コンピュータ・ニュース社|pages=150-153|language=Japanese|chapter=ゲームの進化とヒット商品の源を探る}}</ref> By November 1983, the PC-8801 had shipped 170,000 units.<ref>{{Cite journal|year=1984|title=ASCII EXPRESS : NEC、パーソナルコンピュータ2機種を発売|journal=[[ASCII (magazine)|ASCII]]|language=Japanese|publisher=[[ASCII Corporation|ASCII]]|volume=8|issue=1|issn=0287-9506}}</ref> The PC-8801's direct successor, the PC-8801mkII, came with a [[JIS X 0208|JIS level 1 kanji]] font ROM, a smaller case and keyboard, and one or two internal 5¼-inch 2D [[floppy disk]] drives (model 20 and 30). This set of PC-8800 computers sold more units than the PC-9800 series at that time.<ref name="salesdata_1988">{{Cite book|title=100万人の謎を解く ザ・PCの系譜|publisher=コンピュータ・ニュース社|year=1988|isbn=4-8061-0316-0|editor-last=コンピュータ・ニュース社|pages=128-129|language=Japanese|chapter=パソコン機種別シェア変遷}}</ref>
The '''PC-8801''' was capable of displaying [[Kanji]] characters via an optional Kanji [[Read-only memory|ROM]] board. Various companies released Japanese [[word processor]] software for the machine, such as {{Nihongo|My Letter|マイレター}}, {{Nihongo|Writing|文筆|Bunpitsu}}, and {{Nihongo|2=ユーカラ|3=Yūkara}}. NEC themselves released {{Nihongo|Nihongo Word Processor|日本語ワードプロセッサ}} which was a rebranded version of Yukara, but it was not a success.<ref>{{Cite book|title=パソコン驚異の10年史—その誕生から近未来まで|last1=片貝|first1=孝夫|last2=平川|first2=敬子|publisher=[[Kodansha]]|year=1988|isbn=4-06-132721-6|pages=55–85|language=ja|chapter=日本語ワードプロセッサの歴史}}</ref> In addition to office software, companies like [[Enix]] and [[Koei]] released many popular games for the system, establishing the PC-8801 as a strong gaming platform.<ref name="nishimura_1988">{{Cite book|last=西村|first=正人|title=100万人の謎を解く ザ・PCの系譜|publisher=コンピュータ・ニュース社|year=1988|isbn=4-8061-0316-0|editor-last=コンピュータ・ニュース社|pages=150–153|language=ja|chapter=ゲームの進化とヒット商品の源を探る}}</ref> By November 1983, the '''PC-8801''' had shipped 170,000 units.<ref>{{Cite journal|year=1984|title=ASCII EXPRESS : NEC、パーソナルコンピュータ2機種を発売|journal=[[ASCII (magazine)|ASCII]]|language=ja|publisher=[[ASCII Corporation|ASCII]]|volume=8|issue=1|issn=0287-9506}}</ref> The PC-8801's direct successor, the '''PC-8801mkII''', came with a [[JIS X 0208|JIS level 1 kanji]] font ROM, a smaller case and keyboard, and, in the models 20 and 30, one or two internal 5{{frac|1|4}}-inch 2D [[floppy disk]] drives. This set of PC-8800 computers sold more units than the PC-9800 series at that time.<ref name="salesdata_1988">{{Cite book|title=100万人の謎を解く ザ・PCの系譜|publisher=コンピュータ・ニュース社|year=1988|isbn=4-8061-0316-0|editor-last=コンピュータ・ニュース社|pages=128–129|language=ja|chapter=パソコン機種別シェア変遷}}</ref>


By December of 1983, NEC had multiple personal computer lines coming out from different divisions. Nippon Electric's Information Processing group had the PC-9800 series, and NEC Home Electronics had the [[PC-6000 series]]. To avoid confliction, NEC decided to consolidate their personal computer business into two divisions; the NEC Home Electronics division dealt with the 8-bit home computer line, and the Nippon Electric's Information Processing group dealt with the 16-bit personal computer line. The Electronic Device Sales division span off personal computer business into NEC Home Electronics.<ref>{{Cite book|title=日本電気株式会社百年史|author=日本電気社史編纂室|date=2001-12-25|publisher=[[NEC]]|pages=652-660}}</ref>
By December 1983, NEC had multiple personal computer lines coming out from different divisions. NEC's Information Processing group had the PC-9800 series, and NEC Home Electronics had the [[PC-6000 series]]. To avoid competing with itself, NEC decided to consolidate their personal computer business into two divisions; the NEC Home Electronics division dealt with the 8-bit home computer line, and the Information Processing group dealt with the 16-bit personal computer line. The Electronic Device Sales division spun off personal computer business into NEC Home Electronics.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=日本電気株式会社百年史|author=日本電気社史編纂室|date=2001-12-25|publisher=[[NEC]]|pages=652–660}}</ref>


In March 1985, NEC Home Electronics introduced the PC-8801mkIISR, which had improved graphics and sound capabilities. Game developers competed in quality of skills in animation and music.<ref name="nishimura_1988" /> A cost reduced version, the PC-8801mkIIFR, shipped 60,000 units for half a year.<ref>{{Cite news|title=日電、8バットパソコン好調―新モデル投入成功。|date=1986-03-10|work=[[Nikkei Sangyo Shimbun]]|publisher=[[Nihon Keizai Shimbun]]|page=5|language=Japanese}}</ref> Although the PC-9801VM shipments surpassed it,<ref name="salesdata_1988" /> the PC-8800 series was still popular as a Japanese PC game platform until the early 1990s.<ref>{{Cite book|title=蘇るPC-9801伝説 永久保存版 第1弾|last=阿部|first=広樹|publisher=[[ASCII Corporation|ASCII]]|year=2004|isbn=4-7561-4419-5|pages=121-125|language=Japanese|chapter=PC-9801 魂の名作ゲームの旅}}</ref>
In March 1985, NEC Home Electronics introduced the '''PC-8801mkIISR''', which had improved graphics and sound capabilities.<ref name="nishimura_1988" /> A cost-reduced version, the '''PC-8801mkIIFR''', shipped 60,000 units for half a year.<ref>{{Cite news|title=日電、8バットパソコン好調—新モデル投入成功。|date=1986-03-10|work=[[Nikkei Sangyo Shimbun]]|publisher=[[Nihon Keizai Shimbun]]|page=5|language=ja}}</ref> Although the PC-9801VM shipments surpassed it,<ref name="salesdata_1988" /> the PC-8800 series was still popular as a Japanese PC game platform until the early 1990s.<ref>{{Cite book|title=蘇るPC-9801伝説 永久保存版 第1弾|last=阿部|first=広樹|publisher=[[ASCII Corporation|ASCII]]|year=2004|isbn=4-7561-4419-5|pages=121–125|language=ja|chapter=PC-9801 魂の名作ゲームの旅}}</ref>


==Hardware==
==Hardware==
Line 26: Line 45:
*V3 mode: 640&nbsp;×&nbsp;200: 65536 colors, 640&nbsp;×&nbsp;400: 256 out of 65536 colors, 320&nbsp;×&nbsp;200: 65536 colors, 320&nbsp;×&nbsp; 400: 64 out of 65536 colors
*V3 mode: 640&nbsp;×&nbsp;200: 65536 colors, 640&nbsp;×&nbsp;400: 256 out of 65536 colors, 320&nbsp;×&nbsp;200: 65536 colors, 320&nbsp;×&nbsp; 400: 64 out of 65536 colors


It's important to note that no entry in the PC-8800 series was capable of displaying all four modes.
No entry in the PC-8800 series was capable of displaying all four modes.


=== Sound ===
=== Sound ===
Early entries in the PC-8800 series used a simple internal speaker a-la the IBM PC only capable of generating simple beeps and clicks. Later models added [[Frequency modulation synthesis|FM-synthesis]] chips, allowing for much more robust audio.
The early computers in the PC-8800 series use a simple internal speaker, like the [[Apple II series|Apple II]] and [[IBM Personal Computer|IBM PC]], capable of generating beeps and clicks. Later models added [[Frequency modulation synthesis|FM-synthesis]] chips for much more elaborate audio.


==Software==
==Software==
Companies that produced exclusive software for the NEC PC-8801 included [[Enix]], [[Square (company)|Square]], [[Sega]], [[Nihon Falcom]], [[Bandai]], [[HAL Laboratory]], [[ASCII (company)|ASCII]], [[Pony Canyon]], [[Technology and Entertainment Software]], [[Wolf Team]], Dempa, Champion Soft, Starcraft, Micro Cabin, PSK, and [[Quest Corporation|Bothtec]]. Certain games produced for the PC-8801 had a shared release with the [[MSX]], such as those produced by [[Game Arts]], [[ELF Corporation]], and [[Konami]]. Many popular series first appeared on the NEC PC-8801, including ''[[Snatcher (video game)|Snatcher]]'', ''[[Thexder]]'', ''[[Dragon Slayer (series)|Dragon Slayer]]'', ''[[RPG Maker]]'', and ''[[Ys (series)|Ys]]''.
Companies that produced exclusive software for the NEC PC-8801 included [[Enix]], [[Square (video game company)|Square]], [[Sega]], [[Nihon Falcom]], [[Bandai]], [[HAL Laboratory]], [[ASCII Corporation|ASCII]], [[Pony Canyon]], [[Technology and Entertainment Software]], [[Wolf Team]], Dempa, Champion Soft, Starcraft, Micro Cabin, PSK, and [[Quest Corporation|Bothtec]]. Certain games produced for the PC-8801 had a shared release with the [[MSX]], such as those produced by [[Game Arts]], [[ELF Corporation]], and [[Konami]]. Many popular series first appeared on the NEC PC-8801, including ''[[Snatcher (video game)|Snatcher]]'', ''[[Thexder]]'', ''[[Dragon Slayer (series)|Dragon Slayer]]'', ''[[RPG Maker]]'', ''[[Sokoban]]'', and ''[[Ys (series)|Ys]]''.


[[Nintendo]] licensed [[Hudson Soft]] to port some of Nintendo's [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Family Computer]] games for the platform, including ''[[Excitebike]]'', ''[[Balloon Fight]]'', ''[[Tennis (1984 video game)|Tennis]]'', ''[[Golf (1984 video game)|Golf]]'', and ''[[Ice Climber]]'', as well as new editions of ''[[Mario Bros.]]'' called ''[[Mario Bros.#Ports and follow-ups|Mario Bros. Special]]'' and ''[[Mario Bros.#Ports and follow-ups|Punch Ball Mario Bros.]]'', a semi-sequel to ''[[Donkey Kong 3]]'' titled ''Donkey Kong 3: Dai Gyakushū.''
[[Nintendo]] licensed [[Hudson Soft]] to port some of Nintendo's [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Family Computer]] games for the platform, including ''[[Excitebike]]'', ''[[Balloon Fight]]'', ''[[Tennis (1984 video game)|Tennis]]'', ''[[Golf (1984 video game)|Golf]]'', and ''[[Ice Climber]]'', as well as new editions of ''[[Mario Bros.]]'' called ''[[Mario Bros.#Ports and follow-ups|Mario Bros. Special]]'' and ''[[Mario Bros.#Ports and follow-ups|Punch Ball Mario Bros.]]'', a semi-sequel to ''[[Donkey Kong 3]]'' titled ''Donkey Kong 3: Dai Gyakushū.''


The computer also had its own [[BASIC programming language|BASIC]] dialect, ''N88-BASIC''.
The computer also had its own [[BASIC]] dialect, N88-BASIC.


==Model list==
==Model list==
Line 45: Line 64:
| style="width:6%" |1981
| style="width:6%" |1981
| colspan="2" |PC-8801
| colspan="2" |PC-8801
| style="text-align:center"|NEC [[NEC µPD780C|&micro;PD780]] 4&nbsp;MHz
| style="text-align:center"|NEC [[NEC μPD780C|μPD780C-1]] 4&nbsp;MHz
| style="text-align:center"|64&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|64&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|48&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|48&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|n
| style="text-align:center" {{no}}
| style="text-align:center"|n
| style="text-align:center" {{no}}
| style="text-align:center"|Internal beeper like in the IBM PC
| style="text-align:center"|Internal beeper like in the IBM PC
| style="text-align:center"|n
| style="text-align:center" {{no}}
| style="text-align:center"|n
| style="text-align:center" {{no}}
| style="text-align:center"|n
| style="text-align:center" {{no}}
| style="text-align:center"|NEC PowerMOS, NEC N-88 BASIC
| style="text-align:center"|NEC N-88 BASIC
| style="text-align:center"|4 expansion board slot.
| style="text-align:center"|4 expansion board slot.
|-
|-
Line 62: Line 81:
|rowspan="3"|PC-8801mkII
|rowspan="3"|PC-8801mkII
||model&nbsp;10
||model&nbsp;10
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|NEC [[NEC µPD780C|&micro;PD780]] 4&nbsp;MHz
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|NEC [[NEC μPD780C|μPD780C-1]] 4&nbsp;MHz
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|64&nbsp;KB
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|64&nbsp;KB
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|48&nbsp;KB
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|48&nbsp;KB
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|y
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|y
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|n
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center" {{no}}
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|n
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center" {{no}}
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"| Beeper and [[YM2149F]] (optional, through beeper) {{verification_needed|date=July 2018}}
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"| Beeper and [[YM2149F]] (optional, through beeper) {{verification_needed|date=July 2018}}
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|n
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center" {{no}}
|style="text-align:center"|none
|style="text-align:center" {{no}}
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|n
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center" {{no}}
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|NEC PowerMOS or Amstrad Monitor System
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|
|-
|-
Line 85: Line 104:
|rowspan="3"|PC-8801mkII SR
|rowspan="3"|PC-8801mkII SR
||model&nbsp;10
||model&nbsp;10
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|NEC [[NEC µPD780C|&micro;PD780]] 4&nbsp;MHz
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|NEC [[NEC μPD780C|μPD780C-1]] 4&nbsp;MHz
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|64&nbsp;KB
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|64&nbsp;KB
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|48&nbsp;KB
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|48&nbsp;KB
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|y
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|y
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|y
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|n
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center" {{no}}
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|[[Yamaha YM2203|FM (YM2203)]] [[Monaural|Mono]]
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|[[Yamaha YM2203|FM (YM2203)]] [[Monaural|Mono]]
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|y
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|none
| style="text-align:center" {{no}}
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|n
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center" {{no}}
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|NEC PowerMOS or Amstrad Monitor System
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|The V2 mode that is necessary to play most PC-88 games is introduced.
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|The V2 mode that is necessary to play most PC-88 games is introduced.
With D-sub 9pin Atari joystick port.
With D-sub 9pin Atari joystick port.
Line 107: Line 126:
|-
|-
| colspan="2" |PC-8801mkII TR
| colspan="2" |PC-8801mkII TR
| style="text-align:center"|NEC [[NEC µPD780C|&micro;PD780]] 4&nbsp;MHz
| style="text-align:center"|NEC [[NEC μPD780C|μPD780C-1]] 4&nbsp;MHz
| style="text-align:center"|64&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|64&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|48&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|48&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|n
| style="text-align:center" {{no}}
| style="text-align:center"|[[Yamaha YM2203|FM (YM2203)]] [[Monaural|Mono]]
| style="text-align:center"|[[Yamaha YM2203|FM (YM2203)]] [[Monaural|Mono]]
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|2× 5.25" 2D
| style="text-align:center"|2× 5.25" 2D
| style="text-align:center"|n
| style="text-align:center" {{no}}
| style="text-align:center"|Amstrad Monitor System
| style="text-align:center"|
| style="text-align:center"|PC-8801 mkII SR with 300 bit/s modem
| style="text-align:center"|PC-8801 mkII SR with 300 bit/s modem
|-
|-
|rowspan="3"|PC-8801mkII FR
|rowspan="3"|PC-8801mkII FR
||model&nbsp;10
||model&nbsp;10
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|NEC [[NEC µPD780C|&micro;PD780]] 4&nbsp;MHz
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|NEC [[NEC μPD780C|μPD780C-1]] 4&nbsp;MHz
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|64&nbsp;KB
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|64&nbsp;KB
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|48&nbsp;KB
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|48&nbsp;KB
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|n
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center" {{no}}
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|y
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|y
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|n
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center" {{no}}
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|[[Yamaha YM2203|FM (YM2203)]] [[Monaural|Mono]]
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|[[Yamaha YM2203|FM (YM2203)]] [[Monaural|Mono]]
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|y
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"| none
| style="text-align:center" {{no}}
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|n
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center" {{no}}
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|Amstrad Monitor System
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|Cost reduced version of PC-8801mkIISR
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|Cost-reduced version of PC-8801mkIISR
|-
|-
||model&nbsp;20
||model&nbsp;20
Line 144: Line 163:
|-
|-
| colspan="2" |PC-8801mkII MR
| colspan="2" |PC-8801mkII MR
| style="text-align:center"|NEC [[NEC µPD780C|&micro;PD780]] 4&nbsp;MHz
| style="text-align:center"|NEC [[NEC μPD780C|μPD780C-1]] 4&nbsp;MHz
| style="text-align:center"|192&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|192&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|48&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|48&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|n
| style="text-align:center" {{no}}
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|n
| style="text-align:center" {{no}}
| style="text-align:center"|[[Yamaha YM2203|FM (YM2203)]] [[Monaural|Mono]]
| style="text-align:center"|[[Yamaha YM2203|FM (YM2203)]] [[Monaural|Mono]]
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|2× 5.25" 2HD
| style="text-align:center"|2× 5.25" 2HD
| style="text-align:center"|n
| style="text-align:center" {{no}}
| style="text-align:center"|Amstrad Monitor System
| style="text-align:center"|
| style="text-align:center"|FDD 2D->2HD
| style="text-align:center"|FDD 2D->2HD
|-
|-
Line 161: Line 180:
|rowspan="3"|PC-8801 FH
|rowspan="3"|PC-8801 FH
||model&nbsp;10
||model&nbsp;10
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|NEC [[NEC µPD70008|&micro;PD70008]] 8&nbsp;MHz
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|[[NEC µPD70008]] 8&nbsp;MHz
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|64&nbsp;KB
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|64&nbsp;KB
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|48&nbsp;KB
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|48&nbsp;KB
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|n
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center" {{no}}
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|y
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|y
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|n
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center" {{no}}
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|[[Yamaha YM2203|FM (YM2203)]] [[Monaural|Mono]]
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|[[Yamaha YM2203|FM (YM2203)]] [[Monaural|Mono]]
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|y
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|none
| style="text-align:center" {{no}}
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|n
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center" {{no}}
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|NEC MOS
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|88FR CPU upgrade.
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|88FR CPU upgrade.
model30（B）is black color model.
model30（B）is black color model.
Line 183: Line 202:
|-
|-
| colspan="2" |PC-8801 MH
| colspan="2" |PC-8801 MH
| style="text-align:center"|NEC [[NEC µPD70008|&micro;PD70008]] 8&nbsp;MHz
| style="text-align:center"|[[NEC µPD70008]] 8&nbsp;MHz
| style="text-align:center"|192&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|192&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|48&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|48&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|n
| style="text-align:center" {{no}}
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|n
| style="text-align:center" {{no}}
| style="text-align:center"|[[Yamaha YM2203|FM (YM2203)]] [[Monaural|Mono]]
| style="text-align:center"|[[Yamaha YM2203|FM (YM2203)]] [[Monaural|Mono]]
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|2× 5.25" 2HD
| style="text-align:center"|2× 5.25" 2HD
| style="text-align:center"|n
| style="text-align:center" {{no}}
| style="text-align:center"|NEC PowerMOS
| style="text-align:center"|
| style="text-align:center"|88MR CPU upgrade
| style="text-align:center"|88MR CPU upgrade
|-
|-
|rowspan="3"|1987
|rowspan="3"|1987
|colspan="2"|PC-88 VA
|colspan="2"|PC-88 VA
| style="text-align:center"|NEC [[NEC V20|V50 (&micro;PD9002)]] 8&nbsp;MHz
| style="text-align:center"|[[NEC μPD9002]] 8&nbsp;MHz
| style="text-align:center"|512&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|512&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|256&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|256&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|n
| style="text-align:center" {{no}}
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|[[Yamaha YM2203|FM (YM2203)]] [[Monaural|Mono]]
| style="text-align:center"|[[Yamaha YM2203|FM (YM2203)]] [[Monaural|Mono]]
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|2× 5.25" 2HD
| style="text-align:center"|2× 5.25" 2HD
| style="text-align:center"|n
| style="text-align:center" {{no}}
| style="text-align:center"|NEC PowerMOS
| style="text-align:center"|
| style="text-align:center"|CPU upgrade (8-bit to 16-bit)
| style="text-align:center"|CPU upgrade (8-bit to 16-bit)
|-
|-
|colspan="2"|PC-8801 FA
|colspan="2"|PC-8801 FA
| style="text-align:center"|NEC [[NEC µPD70008|&micro;PD70008]] 8&nbsp;MHz
| style="text-align:center"|[[NEC µPD70008]] 8&nbsp;MHz
| style="text-align:center"|64&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|64&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|48&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|48&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|n
| style="text-align:center" {{no}}
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|n
| style="text-align:center" {{no}}
| style="text-align:center"|[[Yamaha YM2608|FM (YM2608)]] [[Stereophonic sound|Stereo]] + [[ADPCM]] [[Monaural|Mono]]
| style="text-align:center"|[[Yamaha YM2608|FM (YM2608)]] [[Stereophonic sound|Stereo]] + [[ADPCM]] [[Monaural|Mono]]
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|2× 5.25" 2D
| style="text-align:center"|2× 5.25" 2D
| style="text-align:center"|n
| style="text-align:center" {{no}}
| style="text-align:center"|NEC PowerMOS
| style="text-align:center"|
| style="text-align:center"|sound card upgrade (88FH + sound board2(Yamaha YM2608))
| style="text-align:center"|sound card upgrade (88FH + sound board2(Yamaha YM2608))
|-
|-
| colspan="2" |PC-8801 MA
| colspan="2" |PC-8801 MA
| style="text-align:center"|NEC [[NEC µPD70008|&micro;PD70008]] 8&nbsp;MHz
| style="text-align:center"|[[NEC µPD70008]] 8&nbsp;MHz
| style="text-align:center"|192&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|192&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|48&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|48&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|n
| style="text-align:center" {{no}}
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|n
| style="text-align:center" {{no}}
| style="text-align:center"|[[Yamaha YM2608|FM (YM2608)]] [[Stereophonic sound|Stereo]] + [[ADPCM]] [[Monaural|Mono]]
| style="text-align:center"|[[Yamaha YM2608|FM (YM2608)]] [[Stereophonic sound|Stereo]] + [[ADPCM]] [[Monaural|Mono]]
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|2× 5.25" 2HD
| style="text-align:center"|2× 5.25" 2HD
| style="text-align:center"|n
| style="text-align:center" {{no}}
| style="text-align:center"|NEC PowerMOS
| style="text-align:center"|
| style="text-align:center"|sound card upgrade (88MH + sound board2(Yamaha YM2608))
| style="text-align:center"|sound card upgrade (88MH + sound board2(Yamaha YM2608))
|-
|-
|rowspan="4"|1988
|rowspan="4"|1988
|colspan="2"|PC-88 VA2
|colspan="2"|PC-88 VA2
| style="text-align:center"|NEC [[NEC V20|V50 (&micro;PD9002)]] 8&nbsp;MHz
| style="text-align:center"|[[NEC μPD9002]] 8&nbsp;MHz
| style="text-align:center"|512&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|512&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|256&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|256&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|n
| style="text-align:center" {{no}}
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|[[Yamaha YM2608|FM (YM2608)]] [[Stereophonic sound|Stereo]] + [[ADPCM]] [[Monaural|Mono]]
| style="text-align:center"|[[Yamaha YM2608|FM (YM2608)]] [[Stereophonic sound|Stereo]] + [[ADPCM]] [[Monaural|Mono]]
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|2× 5.25" 2HD
| style="text-align:center"|2× 5.25" 2HD
| style="text-align:center"|n
| style="text-align:center" {{no}}
| style="text-align:center"|NEC PowerMOS
| style="text-align:center"|
| style="text-align:center"|
| style="text-align:center"|
|-
|-
|colspan="2"|PC-88 VA3
|colspan="2"|PC-88 VA3
| style="text-align:center"|NEC [[NEC V20|V50 (&micro;PD9002)]] 8&nbsp;MHz
| style="text-align:center"|[[NEC μPD9002]] 8&nbsp;MHz
| style="text-align:center"|512&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|512&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|256&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|256&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|n
| style="text-align:center" {{no}}
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|[[Yamaha YM2608|FM (YM2608)]] [[Stereophonic sound|Stereo]] + [[ADPCM]] [[Monaural|Mono]]
| style="text-align:center"|[[Yamaha YM2608|FM (YM2608)]] [[Stereophonic sound|Stereo]] + [[ADPCM]] [[Monaural|Mono]]
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|2× 5.25" 2HD / 1× 3.5" 2TD
| style="text-align:center"|2× 5.25" 2HD / 1× 3.5" 2TD
| style="text-align:center"|n
| style="text-align:center" {{no}}
| style="text-align:center"|NEC PowerMOS
| style="text-align:center"|
| style="text-align:center"|add 2TD FDD
| style="text-align:center"|add 2TD FDD
|-
|-
|colspan="2"|PC-8801 FE
|colspan="2"|PC-8801 FE
| style="text-align:center"|NEC [[NEC µPD70008|&micro;PD70008]] 8&nbsp;MHz
| style="text-align:center"|[[NEC µPD70008]] 8&nbsp;MHz
| style="text-align:center"|64&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|64&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|48&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|48&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|n
| style="text-align:center" {{no}}
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|n
| style="text-align:center" {{no}}
| style="text-align:center"|[[Yamaha YM2203|FM (YM2203)]] [[Monaural|Mono]]
| style="text-align:center"|[[Yamaha YM2203|FM (YM2203)]] [[Monaural|Mono]]
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|2× 5.25" 2D
| style="text-align:center"|2× 5.25" 2D
| style="text-align:center"|n
| style="text-align:center" {{no}}
| style="text-align:center"|NEC PowerMOS
| style="text-align:center"|
| style="text-align:center"|TV(NTSC) output (composit video), del external I/O
| style="text-align:center"|TV(NTSC) output (composite video), del external I/O
|-
|-
|colspan="2"|PC-8801 MA2
|colspan="2"|PC-8801 MA2
| style="text-align:center"|NEC [[NEC µPD70008|&micro;PD70008]] 8&nbsp;MHz
| style="text-align:center"|[[NEC µPD70008]] 8&nbsp;MHz
| style="text-align:center"|192&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|192&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|48&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|48&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|n
| style="text-align:center" {{no}}
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|n
| style="text-align:center" {{no}}
| style="text-align:center"|[[Yamaha YM2608|FM (YM2608)]] [[Stereophonic sound|Stereo]] + [[ADPCM]] [[Monaural|Mono]]
| style="text-align:center"|[[Yamaha YM2608|FM (YM2608)]] [[Stereophonic sound|Stereo]] + [[ADPCM]] [[Monaural|Mono]]
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|2× 5.25" 2HD
| style="text-align:center"|2× 5.25" 2HD
| style="text-align:center"|n
| style="text-align:center" {{no}}
| style="text-align:center"|NEC PowerMOS
| style="text-align:center"|
| style="text-align:center"|88MA model change
| style="text-align:center"|88MA model change
|-
|-
|rowspan="3"|1989
|rowspan="3"|1989
|colspan="2"|PC-8801 FE2
|colspan="2"|PC-8801 FE2
| style="text-align:center"|NEC [[NEC µPD70008|&micro;PD70008]] 8&nbsp;MHz
| style="text-align:center"|[[NEC µPD70008]] 8&nbsp;MHz
| style="text-align:center"|64&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|64&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|48&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|48&nbsp;KB
| style="text-align:center"|n
| style="text-align:center" {{no}}
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|n
| style="text-align:center" {{no}}
| style="text-align:center"|[[Yamaha YM2203|FM (YM2203)]] [[Monaural|Mono]]
| style="text-align:center"|[[Yamaha YM2203|FM (YM2203)]] [[Monaural|Mono]]
| style="text-align:center"|y
| style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center"|2× 5.25" 2D
| style="text-align:center"|2× 5.25" 2D
| style="text-align:center"|n
| style="text-align:center" {{no}}
| style="text-align:center"|NEC PowerMOS
| style="text-align:center"|
| style="text-align:center"|88FE model change
| style="text-align:center"|88FE model change
|-
|-
|rowspan="2"|PC-8801 MC
|rowspan="2"|PC-8801 MC
||model&nbsp;1
||model&nbsp;1
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|NEC [[NEC µPD70008|&micro;PD70008]] 8&nbsp;MHz
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|[[NEC µPD70008]] 8&nbsp;MHz
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|192&nbsp;KB
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|192&nbsp;KB
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|48&nbsp;KB
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|48&nbsp;KB
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|n
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center" {{no}}
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|y
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|y
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|n
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center" {{no}}
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|[[Yamaha YM2608|FM (YM2608)]] [[Stereophonic sound|Stereo]] + [[ADPCM]] [[Monaural|Mono]]
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|[[Yamaha YM2608|FM (YM2608)]] [[Stereophonic sound|Stereo]] + [[ADPCM]] [[Monaural|Mono]]
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|y
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
|style="text-align:center"|2× 5.25" 2HD
|style="text-align:center"|2× 5.25" 2HD
|style="text-align:center"|(option)
|style="text-align:center" {{maybe|Optional}}
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|NEC PowerMOS
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|
|-
|-
||model&nbsp;2
||model&nbsp;2
|style="text-align:center"|2× 5.25" 2HD
|style="text-align:center"|2× 5.25" 2HD
|style="text-align:center"|y
|style="text-align:center" {{yes}}
|}
|}

<br />


==References==
==References==
Line 347: Line 364:


== Further reading ==
== Further reading ==
* {{cite book |title=NEC µPD72070 - Floppy Disk Controller Specification Version 2.0 |version=2.0 preliminary |publisher=[[NEC Corporation]] |date=October 1991 |url=http://dec8.info/Apple/uPD72070.pdf |access-date=2017-03-20 |dead-url=no |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320235834/http://dec8.info/Apple/uPD72070.pdf |archive-date=2017-03-20}} (A [[floppy-disk controller]] supporting 2TD (triple density) diskettes)
* {{cite book|title=NEC μPD72070 - Floppy Disk Controller Specification Version 2.0|version=2.0 preliminary|publisher=[[NEC Corporation]]|date=October 1991|url=http://dec8.info/Apple/uPD72070.pdf|access-date=2017-03-20|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320235834/http://dec8.info/Apple/uPD72070.pdf|archive-date=2017-03-20}} (A [[floppy-disk controller]] supporting 2TD (triple density) diskettes)


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.pc88.gr.jp/va/va-hard.html] ([https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&nv=1&pto=aue&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=auto&sp=nmt4&tl=en&u=http://www.pc88.gr.jp/va/va-hard.html&usg=ALkJrhjmQ2J0bqr87rfhTIHRexGUnBmQYg Translated])
*[http://www.pc88.gr.jp/va/va-hard.html]
*[http://www.jcec.co.uk/pc88_sys.htm System Information] emulation site for retro Japanese computers
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20170130113705/http://www.jcec.co.uk/pc88_sys.htm System Information] emulation site for retro Japanese computers
*[http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=398 OLD-COMPUTERS.COM: The Museum: NEC PC-8801]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100417024749/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=398 OLD-COMPUTERS.COM: The Museum: NEC PC-8801]
*[http://www.uvlist.net/platforms/detail/101-NEC+PC8801 NEC PC-8801 info page] popular games, tags and developers at uvlist.net
*[http://www.uvlist.net/platforms/detail/101-NEC+PC8801 NEC PC-8801 info page] popular games, tags and developers at uvlist.net
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OsuuUpDd1g NEC PC-8801 MK II commercial on YouTube]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OsuuUpDd1g NEC PC-8801 MK II commercial on YouTube]
Line 363: Line 380:
{{s-aft|after = [[NEC PC-9801]]}}
{{s-aft|after = [[NEC PC-9801]]}}
{{end}}
{{end}}

{{NEC computers}}


[[Category:NEC personal computers]]
[[Category:NEC personal computers]]

Revision as of 13:09, 24 April 2024

PC-8800 series
NEC PC-8801
DeveloperNippon Electric (NEC)
ManufacturerNew Nippon Electric (NEC Home Electronics)
TypePersonal computer
Release dateNovember 1981; 42 years ago (1981-11)
Operating systemN-88 BASIC
CPUNEC μPD780C-1 @ 4 MHz and higher
Memory64 kilobytes and higher
DisplayText 80 × 25, graphics 160 × 100, 8 colors (and higher)
GraphicsSGP
SoundInternal beeper (and higher)
Power100 VAC
PredecessorPC-8000 series
SuccessorPC-9800 series
Boot screen with one-liner

The PC-8800 series (Japanese: PC-8800シリーズ, Hepburn: Pī Shī Hassen Happyaku Shirīzu), commonly shortened to PC-88, are a brand of Zilog Z80-based 8-bit home computers released by Nippon Electric Company (NEC) in 1981 and primarily sold in Japan.

The PC-8800 series sold extremely well and became one of the four major Japanese home computers of the 1980s, along with the Fujitsu FM-7, Sharp X1 and the MSX computers. It was later eclipsed by NEC's 16-bit PC-9800 series, although it still maintained strong sales up until the early 90s.

NEC's American subsidiary, NEC Home Electronics (USA), marketed variations of the PC-8800 in the United States[1][2] and Canada.

History

Nippon Electric's Microcomputer Sales Section of the Electronic Device Sales Division launched the PC-8001 in September 1979, and by 1981 it consisted of 40% of the Japanese personal computer market.[3] In April 1981, Nippon Electric decided to expand personal computer lines into three groups: New Nippon Electric, Information Processing Group and Electronic Devices Group, with each specializing in a particular series. The Microcomputer Sales Section was reformed to the Microcomputer and Application Division in June 1980, and was renamed to the Personal Computer Division in April 1981. At that time, Japanese personal computers were mostly used by hobbyists. The division introduced the PC-8801 in November 1981 and intended to expand the personal computer market into the business world.[4]

The PC-8801 was capable of displaying Kanji characters via an optional Kanji ROM board. Various companies released Japanese word processor software for the machine, such as My Letter (マイレター), Writing (文筆, Bunpitsu), and Yūkara (ユーカラ). NEC themselves released Nihongo Word Processor (日本語ワードプロセッサ) which was a rebranded version of Yukara, but it was not a success.[5] In addition to office software, companies like Enix and Koei released many popular games for the system, establishing the PC-8801 as a strong gaming platform.[6] By November 1983, the PC-8801 had shipped 170,000 units.[7] The PC-8801's direct successor, the PC-8801mkII, came with a JIS level 1 kanji font ROM, a smaller case and keyboard, and, in the models 20 and 30, one or two internal 51⁄4-inch 2D floppy disk drives. This set of PC-8800 computers sold more units than the PC-9800 series at that time.[8]

By December 1983, NEC had multiple personal computer lines coming out from different divisions. NEC's Information Processing group had the PC-9800 series, and NEC Home Electronics had the PC-6000 series. To avoid competing with itself, NEC decided to consolidate their personal computer business into two divisions; the NEC Home Electronics division dealt with the 8-bit home computer line, and the Information Processing group dealt with the 16-bit personal computer line. The Electronic Device Sales division spun off personal computer business into NEC Home Electronics.[4]

In March 1985, NEC Home Electronics introduced the PC-8801mkIISR, which had improved graphics and sound capabilities.[6] A cost-reduced version, the PC-8801mkIIFR, shipped 60,000 units for half a year.[9] Although the PC-9801VM shipments surpassed it,[8] the PC-8800 series was still popular as a Japanese PC game platform until the early 1990s.[10]

Hardware

Graphics

Throughout the lifetime of the PC-8800, there were four different graphics modes. They are as follows:

  • N mode: PC-8000 series compatible graphic mode
  • V1 mode: 640 × 200 8 colors, 640 × 400 2 colors
  • V2 mode: 640 × 200 8 out of 512 colors, 640 × 400 2 out of 512 colors
  • V3 mode: 640 × 200: 65536 colors, 640 × 400: 256 out of 65536 colors, 320 × 200: 65536 colors, 320 ×  400: 64 out of 65536 colors

No entry in the PC-8800 series was capable of displaying all four modes.

Sound

The early computers in the PC-8800 series use a simple internal speaker, like the Apple II and IBM PC, capable of generating beeps and clicks. Later models added FM-synthesis chips for much more elaborate audio.

Software

Companies that produced exclusive software for the NEC PC-8801 included Enix, Square, Sega, Nihon Falcom, Bandai, HAL Laboratory, ASCII, Pony Canyon, Technology and Entertainment Software, Wolf Team, Dempa, Champion Soft, Starcraft, Micro Cabin, PSK, and Bothtec. Certain games produced for the PC-8801 had a shared release with the MSX, such as those produced by Game Arts, ELF Corporation, and Konami. Many popular series first appeared on the NEC PC-8801, including Snatcher, Thexder, Dragon Slayer, RPG Maker, Sokoban, and Ys.

Nintendo licensed Hudson Soft to port some of Nintendo's Family Computer games for the platform, including Excitebike, Balloon Fight, Tennis, Golf, and Ice Climber, as well as new editions of Mario Bros. called Mario Bros. Special and Punch Ball Mario Bros., a semi-sequel to Donkey Kong 3 titled Donkey Kong 3: Dai Gyakushū.

The computer also had its own BASIC dialect, N88-BASIC.

Model list

Released year Model name Model CPU RAM VRAM N mode V1 mode V2 mode V3 mode Sound Atari D-sub 9-pin I/O port FDD CD-ROM Operating system Comment
1981 PC-8801 NEC μPD780C-1 4 MHz 64 KB 48 KB Yes Yes No No Internal beeper like in the IBM PC No No No NEC N-88 BASIC 4 expansion board slot.
1983 PC-8801mkII model 10 NEC μPD780C-1 4 MHz 64 KB 48 KB Yes Yes No No Beeper and YM2149F (optional, through beeper) [verification needed] No No No
model 20 1× 5.25" 2D
model 30 2× 5.25" 2D
1985 PC-8801mkII SR model 10 NEC μPD780C-1 4 MHz 64 KB 48 KB Yes Yes Yes No FM (YM2203) Mono Yes No No The V2 mode that is necessary to play most PC-88 games is introduced.

With D-sub 9pin Atari joystick port.

model 20 1× 5.25" 2D
model 30 2× 5.25" 2D
PC-8801mkII TR NEC μPD780C-1 4 MHz 64 KB 48 KB Yes Yes Yes No FM (YM2203) Mono Yes 2× 5.25" 2D No PC-8801 mkII SR with 300 bit/s modem
PC-8801mkII FR model 10 NEC μPD780C-1 4 MHz 64 KB 48 KB No Yes Yes No FM (YM2203) Mono Yes No No Cost-reduced version of PC-8801mkIISR
model 20 1× 5.25" 2D
model 30 2× 5.25" 2D
PC-8801mkII MR NEC μPD780C-1 4 MHz 192 KB 48 KB No Yes Yes No FM (YM2203) Mono Yes 2× 5.25" 2HD No FDD 2D->2HD
1986 PC-8801 FH model 10 NEC µPD70008 8 MHz 64 KB 48 KB No Yes Yes No FM (YM2203) Mono Yes No No 88FR CPU upgrade.

model30（B）is black color model.

model 20 1× 5.25" 2D
model 30 2× 5.25" 2D
PC-8801 MH NEC µPD70008 8 MHz 192 KB 48 KB No Yes Yes No FM (YM2203) Mono Yes 2× 5.25" 2HD No 88MR CPU upgrade
1987 PC-88 VA NEC μPD9002 8 MHz 512 KB 256 KB No Yes Yes Yes FM (YM2203) Mono Yes 2× 5.25" 2HD No CPU upgrade (8-bit to 16-bit)
PC-8801 FA NEC µPD70008 8 MHz 64 KB 48 KB No Yes Yes No FM (YM2608) Stereo + ADPCM Mono Yes 2× 5.25" 2D No sound card upgrade (88FH + sound board2(Yamaha YM2608))
PC-8801 MA NEC µPD70008 8 MHz 192 KB 48 KB No Yes Yes No FM (YM2608) Stereo + ADPCM Mono Yes 2× 5.25" 2HD No sound card upgrade (88MH + sound board2(Yamaha YM2608))
1988 PC-88 VA2 NEC μPD9002 8 MHz 512 KB 256 KB No Yes Yes Yes FM (YM2608) Stereo + ADPCM Mono Yes 2× 5.25" 2HD No
PC-88 VA3 NEC μPD9002 8 MHz 512 KB 256 KB No Yes Yes Yes FM (YM2608) Stereo + ADPCM Mono Yes 2× 5.25" 2HD / 1× 3.5" 2TD No add 2TD FDD
PC-8801 FE NEC µPD70008 8 MHz 64 KB 48 KB No Yes Yes No FM (YM2203) Mono Yes 2× 5.25" 2D No TV(NTSC) output (composite video), del external I/O
PC-8801 MA2 NEC µPD70008 8 MHz 192 KB 48 KB No Yes Yes No FM (YM2608) Stereo + ADPCM Mono Yes 2× 5.25" 2HD No 88MA model change
1989 PC-8801 FE2 NEC µPD70008 8 MHz 64 KB 48 KB No Yes Yes No FM (YM2203) Mono Yes 2× 5.25" 2D No 88FE model change
PC-8801 MC model 1 NEC µPD70008 8 MHz 192 KB 48 KB No Yes Yes No FM (YM2608) Stereo + ADPCM Mono Yes 2× 5.25" 2HD Optional
model 2 2× 5.25" 2HD Yes

References

  1. ^ "New Products". InfoWorld. May 1984. p. 52. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
  2. ^ Ahl, David H. (November 1983). "NEC PC-8800 personal computer system (evaluation)". Creative Computing. Vol. 9, no. 11. p. 28. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
  3. ^ パソコン大図鑑 最新・人気パソコン目的別全カタログ (in Japanese). Kodansha. 1981. pp. 30–31. ISBN 4-06-141673-1.
  4. ^ a b 日本電気社史編纂室 (2001-12-25). 日本電気株式会社百年史. NEC. pp. 652–660.
  5. ^ 片貝, 孝夫; 平川, 敬子 (1988). "日本語ワードプロセッサの歴史". パソコン驚異の10年史—その誕生から近未来まで (in Japanese). Kodansha. pp. 55–85. ISBN 4-06-132721-6.
  6. ^ a b 西村, 正人 (1988). "ゲームの進化とヒット商品の源を探る". In コンピュータ・ニュース社 (ed.). 100万人の謎を解く ザ・PCの系譜 (in Japanese). コンピュータ・ニュース社. pp. 150–153. ISBN 4-8061-0316-0.
  7. ^ "ASCII EXPRESS : NEC、パーソナルコンピュータ2機種を発売". ASCII (in Japanese). 8 (1). ASCII. 1984. ISSN 0287-9506.
  8. ^ a b コンピュータ・ニュース社, ed. (1988). "パソコン機種別シェア変遷". 100万人の謎を解く ザ・PCの系譜 (in Japanese). コンピュータ・ニュース社. pp. 128–129. ISBN 4-8061-0316-0.
  9. ^ "日電、8バットパソコン好調—新モデル投入成功。". Nikkei Sangyo Shimbun (in Japanese). Nihon Keizai Shimbun. 1986-03-10. p. 5.
  10. ^ 阿部, 広樹 (2004). "PC-9801 魂の名作ゲームの旅". 蘇るPC-9801伝説 永久保存版 第1弾 (in Japanese). ASCII. pp. 121–125. ISBN 4-7561-4419-5.

Further reading

External links

Preceded by NEC Personal Computers Succeeded by
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