NEC PC-8300

NEC PC-8300

[Vin84]

The NEC PC-8300 is a rare and advanced portable computer from the mid-1980s, notable for its lightweight design, long battery life (up to 20 hours on four AA batteries), and built-in firmware that included Microsoft BASIC, a text editor, and enhanced telecommunications software with X-Modem file transfer support. Its claim to fame was its expanded memory (up to 64 KB RAM), re-definable character set, and versatile connectivity, making it a powerful tool for field professionals and a direct successor to the influential PC-8201A and Tandy Model 100 series. While never widely sold to the general public, being available mainly through value-added resellers, the PC-8300 remains an important milestone in the evolution of portable computing, exemplifying the transition toward practical, reliable, and highly adaptable notebook computers.

• Manufacturer: NEC Corporation (produced under license from Kyocera).
• Released: 1984
• Model: PC-8300
• Type: Laptop
• Cost at release: USD $799 (CAD ~$2,750 adjusted for inflation)
• Cost with peripherals: USD $1,800 (CAD ~$6,200 adjusted for inflation)
• MIPS: 0.3 (300 KIPS)

Hardware Specifications

• CPU: Intel 80C85, 2.4 MHz
• RAM: 32 KB standard, expandable to 64 KB (two banks of 32 KB each)
• ROM: System firmware and Microsoft BASIC in ROM
• Display: 8-line by 40-character monochrome LCD (redefinable character set)
• Keyboard: Full-size, typewriter-style keyboard
• Storage: Programs and data stored via audio cassette (CMT port); optional external floppy disk drive
• Ports: RS-232 serial port, parallel printer port, bar code reader port, cassette data port, expansion slot, optional internal modem
• Power: 4 × AA batteries (16–20 hours operation), or external 9V DC power supply
• Weight: Approximately 3.8 lbs (1.7 kg)
• Physical Dimensions: Approx. 8.5″ × 11″ × 1″
• Other Features: Real-time clock, automatic power shut-off, memory cartridge slot (up to 128 KB), video monitor interface available, advanced text and telecom software with X-Modem support

Operating System & Programming Languages 

• O/S: Did not use a traditional disk-based operating system. Instead, its system software which including the main menu, file manager, and built-in applications was permanently stored in ROM. Microsoft BASIC v1.1 (as the primary interface and programming environment) was stored in ROM.
• Programming Languages:
  • Microsoft BASIC (N82-BASIC): The primary programming language available on the PC-8201A was Microsoft BASIC, specifically a version called N82-BASIC, which was tailored for this computer and resided in ROM. BASIC programs could be written, saved, and executed directly on the machine.
  • Advanced users could develop and run programs in Intel 80C85 machine code (assembly language) by loading binary files or using POKE/EXEC commands. This required technical expertise and was typically done for performance-critical or specialized applications
  • ROM Expansion: Additional software (including other languages or utilities) could be added via ROM cartridges, but Microsoft BASIC remained the only built-in programming language

Notables

• The NEC PC-8300 was a rare, advanced successor to the PC-8201A, introduced in the mid-1980s and available mainly through value-added resellers, not retail stores.
• Part of the first wave of truly portable, battery-powered notebook computers, it could run up to 20 hours on four AA batteries and weighed less than 3.8 lbs, making it a benchmark for mobile computing.
• Firmware in ROM: Featured instant-on operation with Microsoft BASIC, a text editor, and advanced telecom software (including X-Modem file transfer) permanently stored in ROM, ensuring reliability and ease of use.
• Expandable & Versatile: Supported up to 64 KB RAM, memory cartridges up to 128 KB, and a wide array of ports for peripherals like floppy drives, printers, barcode readers, and an optional internal modem.
• Offered a redefinable character set for its 8-line by 40-character LCD, allowing for custom graphics and flexible data display.
• Emulation & Compatibility: Could emulate the PC-8201A, maintaining compatibility with earlier software and accessories.
• Known for its robust build and reliability, the PC-8300 remained in use for years in demanding environments, including outdoor fieldwork and event timing under extreme conditions.
• Place in History: The PC-8300 and its relatives (like the Tandy Model 100) are recognized as some of the first practical laptops, influencing the design and expectations for future portable computers

Donated by: Arlen Michaels