PC-98 article

http://withnews.jp/article/f0160314001qq000000000000000W00b0901qq000013115A

The PC-98 Continues to Sell for High Prices; the Reason Why May Surprise You

The famous PC-98 series was once synonymous with personal computing in Japan. They can still boast an unwrested popularity in the used marketplace, even in this age of smartphones and tablets. Even the peripherals continue to fetch a high price, with simple 80MB hard drives going for close to 20,000 yen. Who are the people buying them? We asked the manager of an e-business specializing in them.

The Forerunner of Home Computing

The PC-98 is a 16-bit machine released by NEC in the 1980's. At the time it was touted for its ability to handle high-definition graphics, and with its utility for traditional business and its plethora of game software, it became a leaderin the home PC market. According to NEC, at its peak it held an 80% share of the business market and more than 50% of the market for individual users.

However, with the release of Microsoft's Windows 95, an OS more suited to the internet age, and the appearance in the market of the more compatible and general-purpose DOS/V machines (in other words, Windows PCs), specialized hardware and software found itself hampered, and began to lose market share. Though they pivoted towards the Windows market using their traditional platform as a base, the Windows 98SE-based PC-9821NR300/S8TB, released in June 2000, would be the last model produced.

Even "As-is" Items Sell for Tens of Thousands of Yen

Time moved on, through the heyday of the Windows PC era to 2016, where mobile access is king. The PC-98, thought dead by many, still continues to draw high prices in the online marketplace. On the major action website Yahoo Auctions, the PC-98 category contains more than 1500 items. Even items of questionable operating status command prices of several tens of of thousands of yen.

But just who is keeping the love alive?

According to Iguchi Chiharu (34), proprietor of "PC-98 Mishima" (located in Izunokuni, Shizuoka), a store that specializes in servicing PC-98 series computers, they are being used to control factory production lines and in CAD systems for the planning and design of products.

Production Lines Incorporating the PC-98

In order to keep production costs down, there were many factories that were constructed using the general-purpose PC-98 during the bubble-era of the late 80's and early 90's. When the recession that followed forestalled their opportunity to upgrade their systems, they found themselves continuing to use the PC-98 to this day.

This may conjure up the image of small, local factories whose aging workers are unfamiliar with modern equipment. However, there are many unexpected instances of large companies producing long-selling who continue to use these old PCs due to the enormous costs of upgrading their old equipment.

Most of them are running on operating systems that predate Windows, such as N88-BASIC and MS-DOS. Mishima's customers "also consist of well-known companies, manufacturers of automobiles, infrastructure, and trains."

1,000 PC-98s in Storage

It's worth noting that NEC ceased to support the PC-98 in October 2010. Because users can no longer purchase replacement systems or parts, they're forced to continue operations by repairing the current stock of parts and machines.

Mishima maintains a stock of over 1,000 PCs in storage alone. They say they have close to 2,000 floppy disk drives used to read and write CAD data. Even machines that were acquired as junk are disassembled for repairs and to meet customer demands for customized parts, and they sell a steady flow of several machines a day.

"Our Production Line is Shut Down" Say Some Frantic Operators

These factories' reliance on specialized merchants such as Mishima is serious. They say that they have faced factory operators who have rushed to their business carrying a machine that needs repair, saying that "our PC-98 broke and our production line is shut down."

Peripherals are just as popular. New-in-box mice at 18,000 yen a piece are sold out. 80MB hard disks sell for 12,960 yen.

Barcode readers for businesses cost 48,600 yen. They produce adapters to connect the newest LED-based readers to the PC-98. At one autoparts manufacturer, they are used to read the tags used during shipping.

Just Like Classic Cars

In recent years they've also received inquiries from private individuals. The craze for retro roleplaying and simulation games from the 80's has also made it a quiet favoriate. Mishima also sees several private customers each year looking to buy something "nostalgic," "the same machine that they used to have."

Iguchi says that, while they're "grateful for the boom," they also have to remind their customers that, "unlike the Famicom, storage can't be preserved." For example, it's not uncommon to find the floppy disks that old games came on growing mold, which could render the drive inoperable if it were inserted.

Just like classic cars, it requires specialized knowledge, careful maintenance, and a light touch.

The Manufacturer, NEC

Those in the know, know the venerable PC-98 for the hit seller that it was. But what does its manufacturer, NEC, think about it?

The head of NEC's corporate communications division told us, "We probably still have users among those with a wealth of PC knowledge. We hope to benefit from their continued patronage."