The JR-100 is another product of the "incredibly compact and lightweight computer body but with an external PSU twice the weight of the computer" philosophy of computer manufacturing. The Sanyo PHC-25 still holds the title of actually most compact and lightweight computer in my collection.

But it's a nice-looking little guy. The keyboard is quite unique, not only the color but the selection of keys is quite limited, and the space bar is in a really bizarre place! Kind of like the Spectrum, each key has a function attached to it, but unlike the Spectrum you aren't forced into any particular input mode, you can always type freely.

I got it complete with box and manual, and despite this being fairly cheap cardboard (really thin cardboard? cardstock?), it's held up fairly well, with just a bit of wrinkling and bending here and there. The manual has a bit of a gouge on the front cover, but at some point it was put in a plastic cover and also looks pretty good. (pictures of the manual will be added later, it didn't make the shot!)

Luck was with me in this purchase, as it works. Keyboard is nice and responsive (well, nice for what it is!). I powered it up and the monochrome screen was readied for me. It also came with the original demonstration tape. I will post more photos of that in a separate article. The tape, box, manual, and keyboard all have a nice consistency in style.

One surprising feature of this pipsqueak computer is that it comes with an integrated PCG. It's not as powerful as, for example, the MZ-700's PCG, but that was a separate and cumbersome device at a fairly lofty price, whereas the JR-100's PCG is built in and included in the price of the computer! You can see in this game called Cavit, by Inufuto, how it can be used cleverly. The PCG is responsible for creating your character, and in the top right it shows your remaining lives using the same graphics. So when your character digs, walks, or turns, the remaining lives characters also dig, walk and turn!