Epson HX-20 Portable Computer

Introduced in 1981, the Epson HX-20 was a neat little computer in its day. It was a fairly low power consumption laptop that actually worked. It had small LCD screen, a built-in microcassette drive and a built-in thermal printer. The full-size keyboard was very nice and the machine garnered a pretty good following.

Thank you to Roy Strutt who donated a brand new expansion unit for my HX-20 and shipped it all the way from Scotland!

(Submitted June 19, 2008 12:46:11 by Buda Dangol)

How much would one of these be worth today?

(Submitted June 9, 2008 20:56:45 by Nroach)

I would REALLY like one of those. please contact me. I am open for suggestions.

(Submitted April 14, 2008 19:07:31 by Gregory)

Hello, I have and Epson HX-20, but none of the manuals, references, or accessories (excluding micro cassette drive). If anyone has an Epson TF-20 or the device that allowed one to connect an external monitor (cga monitor I think) or tv to it through the serial port, please contact me at the e-mail address linked to by my name.

(Submitted December 22, 2007 10:27:43 by ABDULLAH)

hi i have one HX-20 note book and its un touch but i dont know how to work on it and are benefits for it.I think as compare to today pc it is totally different and difficult. Can any body help me to use this in my daily use?

(Submitted November 2, 2007 10:24:27 by Douglas Sasse)

original price was $795.00 with the tape- recorder at another $150.00. there was also an expansion unit so you could use the 300 baud modem (software in ROM) and ski word processing (also in rom) at the same time. (I still have Two(2) HX-20's and the charges and case.(value ? working)

(Submitted May 27, 2007 09:47:20 by James)

Looking for a power supply for Epson HX-20 model H00AAA.

(Submitted May 25, 2007 15:33:39 by Joel)

Looking for an Epson HX-20? I have one complete with case, manuals, extra tapes, ribbons, etc for sale. Make me an offer.

(Submitted May 5, 2007 16:54:23 by Donna)

I use a HX-20 everyday at work for printing labels for patients clothing at my local hospital, i seem to have a problem with it and the manual is no longer arround, please does anybody have a copy of this manual this would be great if i can get hold of one.

(Submitted April 7, 2007 02:23:12 by vyq)

I have an Epson HX-20 ,I like it,

(Submitted February 1, 2007 01:48:15 by K.H.BHATTI)

I HAVE EPSON HX-20. AND AN ELECTRONIC SCALE CONNECTED THROUGH RS-232 PORT OF EPSON HX-20. THE SCALES IS FROM METTLER TOLEDO PM 460. IT IS ALOS LABELLED AS USTER AUTOSORTER-III. THE PORT AT THE BACK OF SCALE IS OF RECTANGULAR SHAPE FOR WHICH CONNECTOR IS NOT AVAILABLE IN THE MARKET. IF IT IS AVAILABLE THEN I DON'T KNOW THE PIN CONFIGURATION OF THIS PORT. AS I WANT TO USE THIS SCALE WITH PC. IS THERE ANY PERSON WHO CAN GIVE ME THE PIN CONFIGURATION FOR THIS PORT OF SCALE. I WILL BE HIGHLY OBLIGED.

(Submitted December 3, 2006 13:03:04 by Wayne Williams)

Could anyone tell me if there is anywere to get a micro cassette drive from that could be integrated into a laptop or desktop pc?

(Submitted August 7, 2006 09:17:15 by Greg)

I'm looking for an Epson HX-20, would anyone have anysuggestions where to look, aside from ebay?

(Submitted July 23, 2006 07:04:05 by Gerald)

I have an HX-20 in my lab and I am having a problem with the LCD display. Does anyone have a HX-20 for sale or can you tell my is it possible to use a PC with the HX-20 RS 232C PORT.

(Submitted May 31, 2006 11:52:03 by (a href=mailto:)trygve Henriksen(/a))

The HX-20 uses a package of 4 C-size Ni-cads. The originals gave 1.1AH, but because of improvements in technology, they are now 1.6AH or more. Get 4 with solder-tabs and some really wide heat- shrink tubing and you'll have no problems making your own pack.

(Submitted May 22, 2006 14:29:46 by Nick Steffanoff)

I'm looking for replacement batteries for my HX- 20. Anbody know of a source?

(Submitted May 17, 2006 16:37:05 by Max)

HELP: I need schematic of HX-20 because it does'n power on.

(Submitted May 4, 2006 10:12:42 by SJ)

Look what I found in my attic:

Epson HX-20 Computer with expansion unit, printer and micro cassette drive AC Adapter 2-Black Ribbon Cartridges; 1 in the machine and 1 packaged new 1-Box or roll paper new 1-Operations Manual for the HX-20 Notebook 1-Operations Manual for the Microcassette Drive 1-Set of Basic Tutorial Reference Manuals (Vol 1 and 2) 1-HX-20 Idea Book which includes 50 ready to run educational programs I plugged in the computer and it works!! I'd like to sell this complete package.... I live in Colorado Steve

(Submitted April 1, 2006 04:12:22 by Greg)

I have an Epson HX-20 but with no basic ROM. Does anyone have a non-working model they would be willing to give away or sell cheaply? I am really keen to get this one running. Greg

(Submitted March 11, 2006 06:20:57 by federico)

i have 3 hp-20. they look perfect but they doesn't start...what can i do??

(Submitted November 16, 2005 17:56:21 by Aloisio Martinez)

Can anyone send me by e-mail the ROM images (i.e. ROM1.bin, ROM2.bin...) I have a HX-20 but without basic interpreter. Thanks.

(Submitted November 9, 2005 23:22:04 by Dr. PJ Goatse M.D.)

The printer was not a thermal one, but a real mechanical dot matrix (needle) printer, which used ink ribbons.

(Submitted September 14, 2005 23:28:08 by Mike O'Kelley)

Can anyone help me locate ink ribbons for the printer. Hope somebody can help Thanks

(Submitted September 7, 2005 10:54:56 by Larry Granger)

I recently acquired an absolutely cherry Epson HX- 20. It is complete except for the carrying case. By complete, I mean I have the manuals and the charger. It also has the expansion pack and the microcasette drive installed. If anyone is interested in buying this unit, please E-mail me. Thanks!

(Submitted August 3, 2005 07:58:38 by mike preston)

I have two HX-20s atm, one with a tape unit and expansion and one with neither. They are currently sitting in storage about 600miles away so I can't check them over but iirc one may have a fscked battery.

I'm willing to sell or maybe give them away if someone will give them a good home.

I'm based in Leicester in the UK.

Feel free to drop me a line at mike at technomonk dot com if interested.

(Submitted July 21, 2005 20:26:26 by John Bishop)

I am looking for a non-operational unit for display. I am teaching a computer applications class at a Christian High School in Walnut Creek, California. Know of someone that might want to donate? I'll pay shipping.

John - 707-748-1319

(Submitted July 20, 2005 05:26:41 by Kei)

Diane,

I collect vintage computer stuff do you have a pic of your Epson? Also where in the world are you located? I am in the US.

(Submitted January 29, 2005 23:14:25 by MARDANI)

HELLO. WE IN OUR LAB HAVE A EPSON HX-20 COMPUTER. HOW CAN WE REPLACE THIS WITH A PC WITH RS 232C PORT? PLEASE HEKP ME.THANKS ALOT.

(Submitted January 10, 2005 04:38:49 by diane)

Hi I have an Epson HX-20 it seems to be in working order,there are 3 books with it plus mains adapter & carry case.I was wondering if you know what it would be worth & if you knew anybody who would be interested in buying it Thanks Diane

(Submitted September 19, 2004 18:48:38 by Gerhard Lukawetz)

Despite its 6Mhz CPU (really that fast?) its BASIC was much slower than BASIC-interpreters (BASICA, GWBASIC) on the original IBM-PC and compatibles. However the silent operation of this fanless and HD-less computer was very comfortable. So was the ability to keep its programms in memory even if the machine was switched off. Also fine: Avaiability of both a mass-storage device (a reliable micro-cassette) and a (tiny but noisy) printer (only 20 characters wide, like the LCD-screen) - all together squeezed into a A4-paper-sized flat box of acceptable weight.

Description
Manufacturer	Epson America
Model	HX-20
Date Announced	1981
Date Canceled	Unknown
Number Produced	Unknown
Country of Origin	USA
Price	Unknown
Current Value	$5-$100

Specifications
Processor	6301 x 2
Speed	.6 MHz
RAM	16K-324K
ROM	32K+
Storage	Optional micro-cassette tape, cassette tape (external) or disk drive.
Expansion	Additional ROMS could be added and an optional expansion card could be installed (adding 16K of RAM and more ROM sockets.)
Bus	N/A
Video	4 line x 20 character (32x120 pixel) built-in LCD
I/O	Serial
OS Options	CP/M

Notes	The Epson HX-20 was one of the world's first notebook computers. It featured integrated storage, printing, display and a full keyboard in a 3 pound package.

Related Items in Collection	Case, power supply, manuals, some software, Epson Geneva PX-8.
Related Items Wanted	More software, disk drive.