{"id":21645,"date":"2025-07-09T14:51:06","date_gmt":"2025-07-09T18:51:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/?page_id=21645"},"modified":"2026-06-22T13:50:11","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T17:50:11","slug":"vin84","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/vintage-computing\/item\/vin84\/","title":{"rendered":"NEC PC-8300"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section class=\"w-screen px-6 cu-section cu-section--white ml-offset-center md:px-8 lg:px-14\">\n    <div class=\"space-y-6 cu-max-w-child-5xl  md:space-y-10 cu-prose-first-last\">\n\n            <div class=\"cu-textmedia flex flex-col lg:flex-row mx-auto gap-6 md:gap-10 my-6 md:my-12 first:mt-0 max-w-5xl\">\n        <div class=\"justify-start cu-textmedia-content cu-prose-first-last\" style=\"flex: 0 0 100%;\">\n            <header class=\"font-light prose-xl cu-pageheader md:prose-2xl cu-component-updated cu-prose-first-last\">\n                                    <h1 class=\"cu-prose-first-last font-semibold !mt-2 mb-4 md:mb-6 relative after:absolute after:h-px after:bottom-0 after:bg-cu-red after:left-px text-3xl md:text-4xl lg:text-5xl lg:leading-[3.5rem] pb-5 after:w-10 text-cu-black-700 not-prose\">\n                        NEC PC-8300\n                    <\/h1>\n                \n                                \n                            <\/header>\n\n                    <\/div>\n\n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/vintage-computing\/item\">Vintage Computing Collection<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"nec-pc-8300\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">NEC PC-8300<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>[Vin84]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Manufacturer<\/strong>: NEC Corporation (produced under license from Kyocera).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Released<\/strong>: 1984<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Model<\/strong>: PC-8300<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Type<\/strong>: Laptop<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cost at release<\/strong>: USD $799 (CAD ~$2,750 adjusted for inflation)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cost with peripherals<\/strong>: USD $1,800 (CAD ~$6,200 adjusted for inflation)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>MIPS<\/strong>: 0.3 (300 KIPS)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"hardware-specifications\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW169789978 BCX0\">Hardware Specifications<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>CPU<\/strong>: Intel 80C85, 2.4 MHz<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>RAM<\/strong>: 32 KB standard, expandable to 64 KB (two banks of 32 KB each)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>ROM<\/strong>: System firmware and Microsoft BASIC in ROM<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Display<\/strong>: 8-line by 40-character monochrome LCD (redefinable character set)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Keyboard<\/strong>: Full-size, typewriter-style keyboard<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Storage<\/strong>: Programs and data stored via audio cassette (CMT port); optional external floppy disk drive<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ports<\/strong>: RS-232 serial port, parallel printer port, bar code reader port, cassette data port, expansion slot, optional internal modem<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Power<\/strong>: 4 \u00d7 AA batteries (16\u201320 hours operation), or external 9V DC power supply<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Weight<\/strong>: Approximately 3.8 lbs (1.7 kg)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Physical Dimensions<\/strong>: Approx. 8.5&#8243; \u00d7 11&#8243; \u00d7 1&#8243;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Other Features<\/strong>: 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<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"operating-system-programming-languages\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW50331614 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW50331614 BCX0\">Operating System &amp; Programming Languages<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW50331614 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:0}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>O\/S<\/strong>: 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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Programming Languages<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>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<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>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<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"notables\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Notables<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Expandable &amp; 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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Offered a redefinable character set for its 8-line by 40-character LCD, allowing for custom graphics and flexible data display.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Emulation &amp; Compatibility: Could emulate the PC-8201A, maintaining compatibility with earlier software and accessories.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>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<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Donated by<\/strong>: Arlen Michaels<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/vintage-computing\/item\">Vintage Computing Collection<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":19704,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_cu_dining_location_slug":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"cu_page_type":[90,123],"class_list":["post-21645","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","cu_page_type-vintage-computing","cu_page_type-vintage-inventory"],"acf":{"cu_post_thumbnail":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21645","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21645"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21645\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25080,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21645\/revisions\/25080"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19704"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21645"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"cu_page_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_page_type?post=21645"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}