Seiko Epson
The Epson HX-20, known as the HC-20 in Japan, is a portable computer introduced in 1982. The Epson HX-20 is recognized as the world's first notebook computer.[1]
Plate 01The World's First Laptop - Epson HX-20 / HC-20
Produced
1982–
Power
Two Hitachi 6301 CPUs at 614 kHz[2]
The Seiko Epson HC-20 is a portable notebook computer. The machine was announced in Japan in 1981 and went on sale in July 1982. The HC-20 was sold as the HX-20 outside Japan. The machine combined a keyboard, a monochrome LCD display, and a microprinter in an A4-sized portable format. The HC-20 weighed about 1.6 kilograms.[2][3][4]
The HC-20 uses dual CPUs for distributed processing. The machine was standard equipped with 16 kilobytes of RAM and 32 kilobytes of ROM. Internal ROM could be expanded to 40 kilobytes, and an add-on unit could expand ROM to 56 kilobytes and RAM to 32 kilobytes. The machine was loaded with Microsoft BASIC with added commands for HC-20-specific functions. The machine was standard equipped with an RS-232C port and a high-speed serial port. The machine could communicate over telephone lines through the CP-20 personal coupler. The all-in-one design included an LCD monitor, a microprinter, a keyboard, and optional provision for a ROM cartridge and a microcassette drive.[3]
The HX-20 used two Hitachi 6301 CPUs running at 614 kHz. The HX-20 had a 4-line by 20-character LCD with 120 × 32-pixel graphics. The HX-20 used rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries. The HX-20 included a built-in microcassette drive, two RS-232 ports, and a barcode reader connector. The HX-20 had a battery life of about 50 hours when running BASIC, with shorter life when using the microcassette, printer, or RS-232 port.[2]
The HC-20 was loaded with BASIC for business applications and was designed for use with peripheral devices and host-computer communications. The computer could store and run five BASIC programs. The machine included communications features intended for data exchange over phone lines through a special coupler.[3]
| Designation | Generation | Vintage | Changes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HX-20 | — | 1982 | North American designation of the HC-20. | en.wikipedia.org[2] |
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The HC-20 is a portable notebook computer from Epson. The machine was sold as the HX-20 outside Japan.[2][3]
The HC-20 had a built-in 20-character by 4-line monochrome LCD monitor and a microprinter.[3]
The HC-20 was standard equipped with 16 kilobytes of RAM and 32 kilobytes of ROM. An add-on unit made it possible to expand ROM to 56 kilobytes and RAM to 32 kilobytes.[3]
The HC-20 was standard equipped with an RS-232C port and a high-speed serial port. The HC-20 could communicate over phone lines by connecting to the CP-20 personal coupler.[3]
The following facts about the HC-20 are absent from this record as of this revision. First-hand knowledge or a citation closes a gap; every submission is reviewed before publication.
The control-system platform and OS era of the HC-20 are not on record.
Answerable by: an engineer who operated it or OEM installation records
No publicly documented failure modes or field errata for the HC-20 are on record.
Answerable by: a field service engineer, process engineer, or maintenance technician
The process node or technology generation of the HC-20 is not on record.
Answerable by: an OEM datasheet or a fab qualification report
No publicly documented compatible parts, consumables, or accessories for the HC-20 are on record.
Answerable by: an OEM parts catalog or a service engineer
No publicly hosted manuals, SOPs, or datasheets for the HC-20 are on record.
Answerable by: university cleanroom staff or an OEM application specialist
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Last updated Oct 16, 2026.