NEC PC-8201A

[Daniel Beardsmore]

New acquisition 1/3: NEC PC-8201A portable computer. Sort-of works — sometimes it cuts out, and sometimes it simply won't switch back on at all.

NEC 01 top.jpg (791.83 KiB) Viewed 2757 times

Since jacobolus is holding out on us (he's the first person to report seeing one of these), here's the Alps SKFL Lock, which is yellow:

NEC 02 caps lock.jpg (573.03 KiB) Viewed 2757 times

NEC 03 caps lock latched.jpg (436.94 KiB) Viewed 2757 times

NEC 04 Alps SKFL Lock.jpg (505.96 KiB) Viewed 2757 times

Unlike many such switches, there is externally no visible difference save for two slots missing from the back. No tactile version of SKFL is known (which would be SKFM if it existed, I suppose), so the rear of the switch leaves room for an LED or, in this case, the latch mechanism I imagine. (I don't want to remove any switches at the moment, since I can't solder, and I don't want to break the unit.)

Space bar is strengthened using a second spring, so it uses a normal switch:

NEC 05 normal switch under space bar.jpg (873.62 KiB) Viewed 2757 times

The arrow cluster uses an interesting switch. Linear, ca. 50 cN I guess. It's specially-shaped to allow it to be arranged in a cross. What's really interesting is that the plastic has a rough surface texture which, with the stepped shape, just says "Futaba" to me. There's no visible branding, and Futaba switches of the day were never branded anyway. Assuming they're not sealed in any way, it may be possible to guess the manufacturer from the parts inside.

NEC 06 arrow cluster.jpg (524.19 KiB) Viewed 2757 times

NEC 07 arrow switch.jpg (495.34 KiB) Viewed 2757 times

The switches are true "tee mount" — the keycaps only fit one way:

NEC 08 arrow keycap.jpg (418.33 KiB) Viewed 2757 times

Rear:

NEC 09 rear.jpg (630.2 KiB) Viewed 2757 times

NEC 10 FCC ID.jpg (575.5 KiB) Viewed 2757 times

NEC 11 product label.jpg (479.65 KiB) Viewed 2757 times

One quid's worth of dodgy batteries in the removable battery cartridge (I didn't get the adapter for it):

NEC 12 battery pack.jpg (970.9 KiB) Viewed 2757 times

NEC 13 battery pack.jpg (615.7 KiB) Viewed 2757 times

The memory contents survive the cartridge being taken out, but for how long, I don't know.

In these last shots, the screen is blank, as it died on me again:

NEC 14 ports.jpg (948.19 KiB) Viewed 2757 times

NEC 15 left.jpg (755.75 KiB) Viewed 2757 times

[scottc]

The arrow cluster is quite interesting. It's a strange design, and I don't recall seeing anything like it before.

I love that old ALPS logo on the switches, it's fantastic.

[Hypersphere]

Thanks for posting this interesting board/computer. I just received a similar board. It's a Magnavox (Phillips) Videowriter keyboard. It has Alps brown (tactile) switches and an arrow cluster similar to yours. The feel of the keyboard is similar to a Topre, but livelier. As soon as I can take some pics, I will be posting them in another thread. I am hoping that someone will have some ideas about how to convert the Videowriter to USB.

[mr_a500]

New acquisition 1/3: NEC PC-8201A portable computer. Sort-of works — sometimes it cuts out, and sometimes it simply won't switch back on at all.

That's probably my second favourite version of this Kyocera computer (of the 4 different models). My favourite is the TRS-80 Model 100.


It has the same ALPS switches, but it doesn't have the triangle arrow keys. I like the black keys and two-tone case better than the "mushroom" colour scheme of the NEC. It's thinner too. Mine has a 1 Mb REX chip and SD card reader (NADSbox). I've typed emails and posts with it, transferred to other computers and copied & pasted the text. (I was going to write this post with it, but my SD reader batteries are dead - and, I'm far too lazy to find more.)

[mr_a500]

By the way, here's some old artwork I did on my Model 100:
(ignore the horrible photo quality)

lowres.jpg

[scottc]

That's fantastic, I love it

[Findecanor]

The design of the NEC computer is so wonderfully Japanese. It makes me all warm inside.

[Daniel Beardsmore]

Does the TRS-80 version have the same SKFL Lock switch under Caps Lock? If so, then a lot of people have been holding out on that knowledge …

[mr_a500]

Yes, it does. I must admit I've been holding out on that knowledge... for some reason

[lowpoly]

And I didn't bid on that Olivetti M10 last week... Damn.