Panasonic JR-100
 | |
| National JR-100 | |
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Matsushita (National brand) |
| Type | Home computer |
| Released | 21 November 1981 (Japan)[1] |
| Intro price | ¥54,800[1] |
| CPU | Fujitsu MB8861H (6800 compatible), 894 kHz |
| Memory | 16 KB RAM (32 KB with the JR-U02 unit); 1 KB video RAM |
| Storage | Cassette |
| Display | 32 × 24 characters, monochrome |
| Sound | Piezoelectric sounder, one voice |
| ROM | 8 KB (JR-BASIC) |
| Ports / interface | Composite video (RCA); RF through the optional JR-R01 converter; cassette |
| Power | External AC adaptor; 12 W |
| Dimensions | 296 × 154 × 45 mm |
| Weight | 700 g |
| OS / Firmware | — |
| Successor | Panasonic JR-200 |
| Model no. | JR-100 |
The National JR-100 is an 8-bit home computer made by Matsushita and sold in Japan under the National brand from 21 November 1981, at ¥54,800. It was the cheapest Japanese-made personal computer of its day. It has 16 KB of RAM, a monochrome text display, an integer BASIC in ROM and a rubber keyboard.[1][2] Its successor, the JR-200, cannot run its software.[1]
Specifications
[edit | edit source]| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| CPU | Fujitsu MB8861H, 6800 compatible, 894 kHz; the catalogue gave "MN1800 (6802 equivalent)" |
| ROM | 8 KB, JR-BASIC (integers from −32767 to 32767) |
| RAM | 16 KB; 32 KB with the JR-U02 expansion unit |
| Video RAM | 1 KB |
| Display | 32 × 24 characters, monochrome, with block graphics and 32 user-defined characters |
| Sound | Piezoelectric sounder, one voice |
| Keyboard | 45 rubber keys with conductive-rubber contacts, scanned by software |
| Video output | Composite (RCA socket); RF through the optional JR-R01 converter |
| Size and weight | 296 × 154 × 45 mm, 700 g |
| Power | 12 W, from an AC adaptor |
[1] The difference between the catalogue CPU and the fitted one is reported by owners who have opened and restored machines.[1][2]
Expansion
[edit | edit source]Two expansion units fitted under the computer. The JR-U01 (¥35,000) added a printer port and a joystick port; the JR-U02 (¥45,000) added 16 KB of RAM and an expansion I/O bus as well. The JR-R01 RF converter (¥7,500) let the computer drive a television's aerial input.[1] The computer was supplied with an AC adaptor, a recording lead for a cassette recorder, a display lead, a demonstration program tape and a user's manual.[1] A recording of the demonstration tape is preserved on the Internet Archive.[3]
Servicing
[edit | edit source]The JR-100 is powered from an external AC adaptor, so the computer itself contains no mains wiring.[1] The JR-200U service manual covers the later, incompatible JR-200 and does not apply to it.
Related pages
[edit | edit source]References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 JR (コンピュータ), Japanese Wikipedia—link(accessed 2026-10-01) Section "JR-100", citing Micom (マイコン), February 1982, for the launch date and price, and the Asamomiji restoration notes for the CPU, clock, keyboard, power and accessories.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 National JR-100, itoi.jp—link(accessed 2026-10-01) Launch in November 1981 as a BASIC learning machine at ¥54,800, rubber keyboard, MB8861H processor; photographs.
- ↑ National JR-100 Demonstration Program, Internet Archive—link(accessed 2026-10-01) Tape images and audio of the demonstration program, tested on real hardware by the uploader.