CPU: Intel 8086 @ 5MHz VRAM: 12KB & 256 KB RAM: 128KB, upgradeable to 640KB Launch price: ¥298,000 (approx. $1,600) Graphics: 2 x NEC µPD7220 graphical controllers, 8 colours @ 640x400 Sound: PC speaker Storage: 8-inch, 1.232MB external floppy drives OS: N88-BASIC(86), CP/M-86, MS-DOS, OS/2, PC-UX, Microsoft Windows up to Windows 2000 Released: October 1982 Production: 1982-1997, 2003 Worldwide sales: 18.3 million.
This month’s computer may be unfamiliar, but NEC’s PC-9800 series, usually shortened to PC-98, was arguably Japan’s most important computer and played an integral part in developing both Japanese language computing and video games. Despite the potential gaming fun offered by this system, there are technical hurdles to be overcome. So after a brief history of the PC-98, let us show you how to emulate the machine as easily
