IBM Portable Personal Computer

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 Computer 5155 model 68
An IBM Portable PC, with the aftermarket addition of a 3.5-inch floppy diskette drive, which would have been an addition to the system or a replacement for one of the 5.25-inch drives
DeveloperIBM
TypePortable computer
Release dateFebruary 1984 (1984-02)
DiscontinuedApril 1986 (1986-04)[1]
Operating systemIBM PC DOS Version 2.10 (disk)
CPUIntel 8088 @ 4.77 MHz
Memory256 KB (expandable to 512 KB)
StorageOne or two half-height ​5 1⁄4-inch 360 KB floppy disk drives
DisplayCGA card connected to an internal 9-inch monochrome (amber) composite monitor
CameraF3
Mass30 pounds (13.6 kg)
PredecessorIBM Personal Computer
SuccessorIBM PC Convertible

Design

The Portable was basically a PC/XT motherboard, transplanted into a Compaq-style luggable case. The system featured 256 kilobytes of memory (expandable to 512 KB on the motherboard), 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 phone jack styled connector. The cable from the connector then went to the back of the machine, where the original XT keyboard jack was.

Experts 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 120 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”.

References
  1. Scott Mueller, Upgrading and Repairing PCs, Second Edition, Que, 1992 ISBN 0-88022-856-3 pp. 76–81
  2. 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.
Preceded by
IBM Personal Computer		 IBM Personal Computers Succeeded by
IBM PC Convertible
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