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Articles: List of brands that sold Nan Tan laptops

Nan Tan Computer (NTC) was a manufacturer of generic/"white label"/ODM laptop computers, based out of Taiwan. The company was started in 1983, but did not begin producing laptops until around 1990. They were one of the most prolific ODM manufacturers of their day, with dozens of brands selling their laptops (see list linked above).

Identifying a laptop as being made by Nan Tan can be somewhat difficult, as NTC pretty much never put their own brand on their laptops. Further, many of the brands selling their laptops would just slap a logo sticker on them and then call branding done, so many laptops once badged under a certain brand have long lost their logo badges.

NTC laptops can usually be identified by their bottom stickers, which will usually have "Notebook Computer" or "Laptop Computer" written in a distinctive font, followed by an FCC ID starting with "FMA", such as FMA8100. I'm not actually sure if FMA8100 or similar was actually the model number that Nan Tan assigned internally, but it's what I'll be referring to them as in this list.

Nan Tan had further branding confusion in the form of sub-brands, mainly, Kapok and Clevo. Both of these brands were used by Nan Tan in places in the US market, though there is some confusion over which was used for what. Kapok was apparently also used within Taiwan. Many of their laptops have Kapok-badged parts inside, and many do identify as Kapok in HWINFO. Clevo was the more long lasting name though, Nan Tan rebranded completely under that name in 1997, and Clevo remains in business today, still making ODM laptops.

Much of the information & images in this section was sourced (with permission) from Creepingnet, who has done a lot of research on the company. Go check out his site!

I'm not creating dedicated pages for most models as I simply don't have enough info about most of them. Models with dedicated pages will have the model number underlined as a link.

Own a Nan Tan? I'm in need of information on most models, along with images. See this page for info on how to reach me.

Model List of Nan Tan laptops (sorted by release date)

Specifically, from the FCC filing date for each laptop. Some assumptions were made when no FCC number could be found (FMA9600). All dates are formatted as MM/DD/YYYY.

I believe that most, if not all of these that have non-color LCDs can at least do grayscale, but I can't be sure of this because people often just write "monochrome" without specifying if it's just black and white, or if it can do grayscale.

Image of the UNIQ.

FMA3120 (?)

Released: Early March 1990 or earlier
Processor: 286
Display: Gas Plasma
Graphics: CGA

Notes

This is the earliest Nan Tan laptop that we can confirm exists, and it's a weird one. This model was sold as the UNIQ PhD 286-12, and said UNIQ was reviewed in the March 13th issue of PC Mag in 1990. That is before the FMA3140 was FCC registered, and the FMA3140 is their earliest laptop is appear in FCC, so this had to be earlier. It's a 286-based laptop with a Gas Plasma screen. The case appears to be the same as the much better-documented FMA8100, but this one is dark gray instead of beige. There is a video on YouTube of one of these laptops starting up, and it identifies in BIOS as a "3120 Laptop Computer", which is consistent with the BIOS model IDs on other Nan Tan laptops from this time. This is likely what Nan Tan called it, but I can't confirm this. Overall, we know plenty about the computer itself, the main mystery here is why it doesn't show up in FCC records.

NO IMAGE

FMA3140

FCC Date: 03/19/1990

Notes

Creepingnet lists this one as being sold as the Aqualine NT33, ACT Tempo 386SX, Everex Tempo LX, Sanyo MBC-18NB, Zoes Notebook 386, and others. I believe this is incorrect though - all evidence points to Sanyo being the original manufacturer of that one. As such, we do not have info on this one yet.

NO IMAGE

FMA6100

FCC Date: 03/20/1990

Notes

No other info known.

FMA8100

FCC Date: 07/13/1990
Processor: Intel 386SX @20MHz
RAM: SIPP, 6 slots
LCD: Grayscale Passive-Matrix
Sold As: Highscreen, Dataworld LP320/LP325

Notes

Gigantic, more of a luggable than a laptop. 386-powered, using all desktop components. More info on main page linked to the left.

FMA2100

FCC Date: 10/31/1990
Processor: Intel 286 @12MHz
LCD: Monochrome Passive-Matrix
Battery: 2x NiCad 8.4v 1400mAh
Sold As: AMS 286 System

Notes

Not much known on this model currently.

Description from Creepingnet:

"White laptop computer, uses Desktop memory and components and has 2 NiCAD batteries in a configuration similar to the much later 9200 486 models except located in slots behind the screen. Only has 10 Function keys, likely making this a 286 XT class machine."

FMA2200

FCC Date: 01/02/1991
Processor: Intel 386SX @16MHz
Coprocessor: Supports 80387
RAM: Up to 5MB, standard DIP memory
LCD: 16-shade grayscale passive matrix
Battery: Unknown
Award BIOS
1.44MB Floppy Drive
Cirrus Logic Graphics
Sold As: Bitwise 386SX/16, Micro Telesis NBA386SX, National Micro Systems (NMS) 386SX/16

Notes

Not much known on this model currently beyond those specifications.

NO IMAGE

FMA2210

FCC Date: 02/22/1991

Notes

FCC listing found but no other info known.

FMA3300

FCC Date: 05/08/1991
Processor: Intel 386DX @33MHz
LCD: 9.4" Passive Monochrome
Sold As: AMAX 386DX/33MHz

Notes

Seems to be quite similar to the FMA3500 but with a 386.

FMA3500 Series

FMA3500, FMA3500C, FMA3500SX

FCC Dates: 12/13/1991 (FMA3500), 01/06/1992 (FMA3500SX), 12/22/1992 (FMA3500C)
Processor: Intel 486SX, 486DX, or 486DX2
LCD: Passive Matrix Grayscale or Color, Active Matrix Color
Battery: NiCad 12V, external
Sold As: Aspen Aqualine 433, Ergo 486DX-33 NoteBrick II, BSi NB486DX-33

Notes

One of the most common NTC laptops/series. Will have a dedicated page on this one soon. For now, see here.

Some models in the series look like the one in the photo, others look like the FMA3300 seen above or the FMA3530 seen below.

NO IMAGE

FMA5500 Series

5500, 5500SX, 5500CD, 5500CDX

FCC Dates: 05/13/1992 (5500), 07/24/1992 (5500SX), 09/29/1992 (5500C), 11/09/1992 (5500CDX)
Processor: 486 DX-33 (5500 & 5500CDX), 486 SX-25 (5500SX), 486 DX2-50 (5500C)

Notes

No other info known.

FMA3530

FCC Date: 09/09/1992
Processor: Intel 486DX @25 or 33MHz, 486DX2 @50MHz
Sold As: BSi NB486DX2-50

Notes

Name assigned to DX2 versions of the FMA3500 in the late days of the series. Apparently also had slower models badged that way? This one's a bit of an unknown to me. I'm just following what the creepingnet site says.

FMA8200/NB8900

FCC Dates: 05/19/1993 (FMA8200C), 05/27/1993 (FMA8200M)
Processor: Intel 486DX-33
Sold As: Duracom TravelPro FMA8200, Micro Express 8266, Sager FMA8200C

Notes

Model naming for this one is confusing. Seemed to go by both names stated to the left. May be a predecessor to the FMA9200?

I'm assuming the FMA8200C and FMA8200M FCC references are for a color and monochrome version, respectively.

FMA6500

FCC Dates: 05/25/1993 (FMA6500M), 05/26/1993 (FMA6500C), 10/27/1994 (FMA6500E)
Processor: Intel 486DX @25 or 33MHz

Notes

Similar to the FMA6530. Suspected to be a passive matrix model.

I'm assuming the FMA6500C and FMA6500M FCC references are for a color and monochrome version, respectively. I'm assuming that the later 6500E was an updated version of the series, but I have no photos of it to go by.

FMA6530

FCC Date: 06/17/1993 for both 6530C and 6530M models.
Processor: Intel 486DX @25 or 33MHz
LCD: Color

Notes

Similar to the FMA6500. Suspected to be a active matrix model.

I'm assuming the FMA6530C and FMA6530M FCC references are for a color and monochrome version, respectively.

FMAK9200/FMAP9200

FCC Dates: 02/22/1994 (FMAK), 03/14/1994 (FMAP)
Processor: Socket 1/2/3 486 support, SX/SX2/DX/DX2/DX4
LCD: Passive Matrix Grayscale, Passive Matrix Color, likely also Active Matrix Color - 9.4 or 10.3"
Sound: ESS 488 AudioDrive
2x NiMH 1800mAh 9.7V Batteries
2x PCMCIA Type 2/1x Type III
Sold As: Prostar 9200M, Duracom 5110D, DFI MediaBook, BSI NP9249D, MicroExpress NB9266, MilkyWay Myriadbook 4/66

Notes

Seems to be a highly configurable laptop with good potential, especially if you can find one with a TFT/Active Matrix LCD. These DO seem to support them, but models with them are rare. They have two battery bays, PowerBook 500-series style. There's a ton of info on these here. I'll add this information onto a page here in the future.

Image Gallery

FMA3600

FCC Date: 04/08/1994
Processor: Intel Pentium 60 or 66
Display: Passive or Active Matrix
Sold As: Aspenta 60/66, BSI NP3656T Pentium, FutureTech FM366T

Notes

Extremely early Pentium system. This is in fact the earliest Pentium laptop I've seen to date. It's early enough that it could even be Socket 4 inside. Available in both passive and active matrix display options. I believe this one did have built-in sound. As one might expect, they've got a fairly loud fan inside to keep it all cool.

FMA7500

FCC Date: 04/22/1994 (7500AM), 12/02/1994 (7500C)
Processor: 486DX @25 or 33MHz

Notes

Seemingly one of the more common models.

NO IMAGE

FMA3500A

FCC Date: 05/25/1994
CPU: 486, 33MHz

Notes

Name suggests it's related to the rest of the 3500 series, but I find it hard to believe such an old design would still sell. I've got no clue what this one is.

NO IMAGE

FMA9400

FCC Dates: 07/06/1994 (9400M), 09/02/1994 (9400C)
Processor: 486

Notes

FCC ID found but no other info on this model.

NO IMAGE

FMA9420

FCC Date: 08/15/1994
Processor: 486

Notes

FCC ID found but no other info on this model.

FMA7600

FCC Date: 10/18/1994
Processor: Pentium @90MHz, likely other speeds
Passive or Active Matrix Color LCD
Chips & Technologies Video
ESS 688 Sound
AMI BIOS
Sold As: DGi P-90C, Magitronic, others

Notes

Early Pentium laptop based on the FMA7500 design.

Image Gallery

Kapok K9800

FCC Date: 03/06/1995
Processor: 486
LCD: 10.3" Active Matrix Color, LCD P/N NEC NL6448AC32-01
Sound: ESS 1688
2x PCMCIA Type II/1x Type III
Battery: 2x 9.6v 1400mAh NIMH
Sold As: Linden MicroTech

Notes

This was the first laptop to be filed under Kapok's FCC grantee code - L4P. The ID for this one is specifically L4PK9800. It has the same case as the 9200 series but with updated internals, mainly, a better sound card than the 9200 had. My guess would be that it had other screen options as well, but the one this info was gathered from had a TFT panel. We've only got a sample size of 1 with this one.

NO IMAGE

FMA8500

FCC Date: 03/30/1995
Processor: 486

Notes

FCC ID found but no other info

FMA9500

FCC Date: 04/26/1995
Processor: 486

Notes

FCC info for this one says it's a 486 but that's a bit hard to believe given the 1995 release date. It looks like a pretty small and thin laptop (relative to the time), so it's possible this one was a low-power subnotebook, which would explain the 486 processor. More info needed to confirm though. The photo you see to the left and the FCC info is all we've got on this one as of yet.

FMA86T/FMA86D

FCC Date: 12/06/1995
Processor: Intel Pentium
LCD: Passive Matrix (FMA86D), Active Matrix (FMA86T)
Sound Blaster Compatible
Sold As: BSI NP8657D, BSI NP8662T, Micro Express NP8600-P120

FMA6400

Released: 1991

Notes

No other info known.

Page last updated: 04/19/2024
Update Reason: newnav added

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