The IBM Portable Personal Computer 5155 model 68 is an early portable computer developed by IBM after the success of the suitcase-size Compaq Portable. It was released in February 1984 and was quickly replaced by the IBM Convertible, only roughly two years after its debut.
IBM Portable PC 5155 model 68
An IBM Portable PC with two 5.25-inch floppy diskette drives installed
The Portable was basically a PC/XT motherboard, transplanted into a Compaq-style luggable case. The system featured 256 kilobytes of memory (expandable to 640 KB), an added CGA card connected to an internal monochrome amber composite monitor, and one or two half-height 5+1⁄4-inch 360 KB floppy disk drives, manufactured by Qume. Unlike the Compaq Portable, which used a dual-mode monitor and special display card, IBM used a stock CGA card and a 9-inch amber monochrome composite monitor, which had lower resolution. It could, however, display color if connected to an external monitor or television. A separate 83-key keyboard and cable was provided, which uses a front panel mounted phone jack styled connector RJ11. The cable from the connector then went to the back of the machine, where the original XT keyboard jack was.
Experts [who?] stated that IBM developed the Portable in part because its sales force needed a computer that would compete against the Compaq Portable.[2] If less sophisticated than the Compaq, the IBM had the advantage of a lower price tag. The motherboard had eight expansion slots. The power supply was rated 114 watts and was suitable for operation on either 115 or 230 VAC.[1] Hard disks were a very common third-party add-on as IBM did not offer them from the factory.[1] Typically in a two-drive context, floppy drive A: ran the operating system, and drive B: would be used for application and data diskettes.
Its selling point as a "portable" was that it combined the monitor into a base unit approximating a medium-sized suitcase that could be simply set on its flat side, the back panel slid away to reveal the power connector, plugged in, the keyboard folded down or detached, and booted up for use, though printers at the time, if needed, still tended to be less "portable". At thirty pounds, it may have been difficult to carry for some, and was often referred to as "luggable".
Asterisk (*) denotes a model released in Japan only
Referencesedit
^ abc Scott Mueller, Upgrading and Repairing PCs, Second Edition, Que, 1992 ISBN0-88022-856-3 pp. 76–81
^Rosenberg, Ronald (1984-02-28). "Doubts Raised About PCjr". The Boston Globe.
Notes
IBM (1984). Personal Computer Hardware Reference Library: Guide to Operations, Portable Personal Computer. IBM Part Numbers 6936571 and 1502332.
External linksedit
Obsolete Technology Website: IBM Portable PC 5155 model 68
IBM 5155 information at www.minuszerodegrees.net
April 15, 2024
portable, personal, computer, 5155, model, early, portable, computer, developed, after, success, suitcase, size, compaq, portable, released, february, 1984, quickly, replaced, convertible, only, roughly, years, after, debut, portable, 5155, model, 68an, portab. The IBM Portable Personal Computer 5155 model 68 is an early portable computer developed by IBM after the success of the suitcase size Compaq Portable It was released in February 1984 and was quickly replaced by the IBM Convertible only roughly two years after its debut IBM Portable PC 5155 model 68An IBM Portable PC with two 5 25 inch floppy diskette drives installedDeveloperIBMTypePortable computerRelease dateFebruary 1984 40 years ago 1984 02 Introductory priceUS 4 225 equivalent to 12 390 in 2023 DiscontinuedApril 1986 1986 04 1 Operating systemIBM PC DOS Version 2 10 disk CPUIntel 8088 4 77 MHzMemory256 KB expandable to 640 KB StorageOne or two half height 5 1 4 inch 360 KB floppy disk drivesDisplayCGA card connected to an internal 9 inch monochrome amber composite monitorMass30 pounds 13 6 kg PredecessorIBM Personal ComputerSuccessorIBM PC Convertible Contents 1 Design 2 Timeline 3 References 4 External linksDesign editThe Portable was basically a PC XT motherboard transplanted into a Compaq style luggable case The system featured 256 kilobytes of memory expandable to 640 KB an added CGA card connected to an internal monochrome amber composite monitor and one or two half height 5 1 4 inch 360 KB floppy disk drives manufactured by Qume Unlike the Compaq Portable which used a dual mode monitor and special display card IBM used a stock CGA card and a 9 inch amber monochrome composite monitor which had lower resolution It could however display color if connected to an external monitor or television A separate 83 key keyboard and cable was provided which uses a front panel mounted phone jack styled connector RJ11 The cable from the connector then went to the back of the machine where the original XT keyboard jack was Experts who stated that IBM developed the Portable in part because its sales force needed a computer that would compete against the Compaq Portable 2 If less sophisticated than the Compaq the IBM had the advantage of a lower price tag The motherboard had eight expansion slots The power supply was rated 114 watts and was suitable for operation on either 115 or 230 VAC 1 Hard disks were a very common third party add on as IBM did not offer them from the factory 1 Typically in a two drive context floppy drive A ran the operating system and drive B would be used for application and data diskettes Its selling point as a portable was that it combined the monitor into a base unit approximating a medium sized suitcase that could be simply set on its flat side the back panel slid away to reveal the power connector plugged in the keyboard folded down or detached and booted up for use though printers at the time if needed still tended to be less portable At thirty pounds it may have been difficult to carry for some and was often referred to as luggable Timeline editTimeline of the IBM Personal Computer vteAsterisk denotes a model released in Japan onlyReferences edit a b c Scott Mueller Upgrading and Repairing PCs Second Edition Que 1992 ISBN 0 88022 856 3 pp 76 81 Rosenberg Ronald 1984 02 28 Doubts Raised About PCjr The Boston Globe NotesIBM 1984 Personal Computer Hardware Reference Library Guide to Operations Portable Personal Computer IBM Part Numbers 6936571 and 1502332 External links editObsolete Technology Website IBM Portable PC 5155 model 68 IBM 5155 information at www minuszerodegrees net Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title IBM Portable Personal Computer amp oldid 1216816705, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
