In May 1980, NEC marketed the NEC Japanese language word processor NWP-20 -- the company's first standalone dedicated machine for text processing.
At the time, the introduction of an English word processor led to high expectations in Japan for a Japanese language word processor -- as a new text creation tool to replace a Japanese typewriter. The NWP-20 was a response to that.
It had the following main features:
- 1) It had not only interactive editing-and-correcting capability to allow its user to edit (modify, insert and delete) and correct texts using a keyboard while watching a display, but also a batch configuration function (to enable creation of correction instructions separate from a main text, which were batch processed later with the text) and a search function for chapters, sections, paragraphs and text strings.
- 2)The system could handle 8,500 different characters, including JIS level 1 and level 2.
- 3) Idioms and frequently used phrases could be stored in an idiom input keyboard, and could be called up and used by simply pushing a key.
- 4) It employed a large display capable of displaying 640 characters, and thus was easy-to-see and operate.
- 5) It could print about 9 A4 sheets in one minute using a high-speed non-impact page printer (NIP).
Prices started at 4,250,000 yen for a model equipped with an impact-type Japanese language line printer. These systems helped to make text preparation tasks in offices more efficient.
| Item | Specifications | |
|---|---|---|
| CRT display | Screen size | 14inches |
| Display capacity | 40 char. x16line, 640 char. (display color: green) | |
| Character pattern | 24x24dot | |
| Number of characters | Standard3,967 Max.8,499(optional) | |
| Pen touch keyboard | System | Pen-touch tablet (wireless) |
| Character panel | 60x55 3,300char. | |
| Idiom input | 126x10sheet 1,260idioms | |
| Page printer | Printing system | Electrophotographic non-impact printer employing laser beam |
| Paper | Ordinary paper (cut paper):A4, A5, B4, B5 | |
| Character size | 9points (standard), 7points, 12points(optional), vertically enlarged type (x2) for each size | |
| Character pattern | 32x32dot (for 9 point) | |
| Number of print characters | Standard: 3,967, Max. 8,499 (optional) | |
| Print speed | A4 paper, 9sheets/min (860lines/min) | |
| Japanese language printer | Printing system | Dot-impact line printer |
| Paper | Folding paper with sprocket holes: Max. 15inch width | |
| Character size | 0.5point and double-size character | |
| Character pattern | 24x24dot | |
| Number of print characters | Standard: 3,967, Max. 8,499 (optional) | |
| Print speed | 60lines/min | |
| Floppy disk | Memory capacity | Approx. 1MB (approx. 300 A4-size pages), x3 (standard) |
| Editing/Correction functions | Correction functions | Character string (character, word, and sentence) insert/delete/replace, batch conversion, copy, move, and search |
| Edit functions | Quote: Quotation of previous created text Insert: Automatic insertion of changed part of same document (addresses etc.) Format control: Vertical text, horizontal text, designation of the number of characters in a designated line Justification functions: Centering, line end justification, justification on both ends, framing, indentation, rule processing, table generation, paging |
|
| Operation modes | Interactive/Batch input, direct/indirect quote, interactive/batch correction | |
