NEC PC-6001 - Computer

HISTORY AND FEATURES:

In 1981 the Japanese company NNE (New Nippon Electric), a subsidiary of NEC (Nippon Electric Company, Limited), developed a low-cost personal computer aimed at the domestic market, the NEC PC-6001.

The NEC PC-6001 uses as its processor a NEC-made compatible Zilog Z-80A, a μPD780-1, operating at 3.8 MHz. The PC-6001 incorporates different graphical modes, as it was designed to be used with video games. It includes an audio processor GI AY-3-8910. It has 16 KB of RAM expandable to 32 KB, and the ROM is 20 KB with BASIC.

It was known by users by the nickname "Papicom." The PC-6001 keyboard is of the "chiclet" type with plastic keys.

In 1983 a version aimed at the North American market was released, the only difference being that it includes a mechanical keyboard, the PC-6001A, which was known under the name NEC TREK.

The PC-6001 uses the concept of "pages" or screens that can be swapped by pressing a key. When powering on the computer, the user is asked, "how many pages?", i.e., how many pages will be used. This is because it does not have a dedicated video RAM (VRAM) area, so the user must decide how to divide the main RAM. The unit comes with 16 KB of RAM, which must be divided between main memory and one or two pages. By expanding the unit with a RAM cartridge to 32 KB, up to 4 pages can be used.

It has four display modes, and the paging system allows switching between different modes:
* mode 1: text mode with 32 columns.
* mode 2: graphics mode of 64x48 pixels with 9 colors.
* mode 3: graphics mode with a resolution of 128 x 192 with 4 colors
* mode 4: graphics mode with a resolution of 256 x 192 pixels and 2 colors.

It has two joystick ports, composite video output and RF output (black and white), as well as cassette and printer connectors.

The NEC PC-6001 features an expansion connector, which allowed connecting ROM cartridges with software, a RAM expansion to 32 KB, or even a floppy disk drive, as well as a new version of BASIC: N60 Kakuchou BASIC. It also had an expansion unit available (PC-6011) that provided two cartridge/extension connectors.

SELLING UNIT:

The unit for sale is a Japanese NEC PC-6001, thus it operates on 100V AC and the video output is NTSC. To test it, a transformer from 220VAC to 110VAC was used (not included), as well as a tuner with composite video inputs for a VGA monitor (not included).

The overall condition can be considered good, although it shows signs of use. It has marks and discolorations. I have tried to take detailed photographs (though I am not an expert photographer) so that its condition can be checked.

The unit works perfectly, including the keyboard, as can be seen in the photos. The composite video output image shows some shadows. I don’t know if due to the tuner used or if the composite video signal requires some adjustment.

On https://www.pcbway.com/project/shareproject/NEC_PC_6001_ROM_and_RAM_cartridge_6a430912.html there is a project to create a cartridge. I have used one (not included) to test both RAM expansion and a game, as can be seen in the images.

Please note that this item is a collectible computer, which although it has been tested and is functional, due to its age of about 45 years, cannot be guaranteed to continue functioning over time, and there is no right to return or coverage for faults or failures.

If you have any questions, please contact me before bidding.

Please note that if shipping is outside the European Union, there may be import duties, customs taxes or other charges, which are not included in the item price or shipping costs. These charges are the buyer’s responsibility.”