Fujitsu FM16 Pi

The Fujitsu FM16 Pi was an A4-sized portable business computer and Fujitsu’s first portable PC. Its low-power CMOS 80C86 processor, wide 640x200 LCD and Japanese-language ROMs placed substantial office capabilities into a 2.9kg unit that could run from AC, a NiCd battery or a car battery.

CP/M-86, dictionaries and applications were held in ROM, while BASIC and COBOL were available on cartridges. A built-in microcassette supplied removable storage, making the machine particularly suitable for mobile data entry despite arriving before laptop computers became commonplace.

Notable Features

• A4-sized portable enclosure weighing only 2.9kg.
• Wide 640x200 LCD supported Japanese text and graphics.
• Could use AC power, an internal NiCd battery or a vehicle battery.

Historical Significance

• Fujitsu’s first portable personal computer and an important ancestor of its later notebook ranges.
• Its early launch and reliance on CP/M-86 limited adoption mainly to specialised data-entry work.

Collector’s Notes

• The model name uses the Greek letter pi; the CMS-safe title spells this as Pi.
• Battery condition, ROM cartridges and the microcassette mechanism deserve careful inspection.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Fujitsu FM16 Pi
Manufacturer	Fujitsu
Launched	Monday, April 1, 1985
Discontinued	Late 1980s
Launch Price	¥195,000
Country	Japan
CPU	Fujitsu MBL80C86-compatible CMOS processor at 5 MHz
Units Sold
Operating System	CP/M-86 in ROM; BASIC and COBOL ROM cartridges
I/O	Serial, printer, microcassette, cartridge and external power interfaces
Keyboard	Integrated portable keyboard
Storage	Built-in microcassette; ROM cartridge software
Sound	Internal beeper
Graphics	640x200 pixels
Display	Built-in monochrome LCD, Japanese 40x11 text
ROM	Up to 384KB CMOS mask ROM for CP/M-86, dictionaries and applications
RAM	128KB standard; configurable to 288KB or 448KB
CPU Speed	5 MHz