IBM Model 5100: IBM's first laptop computer released 40 years ago



    Vintage technology will always attract our attention - after all, once all this “iron” was new, productive and relevant. However, even the most productive systems become obsolete and go away over time to give way to new servers and computers. So at the time, it happened with the first laptop PC from IBM, whose mass was 22 kilograms. Yes, 40 years ago (namely, so much time has passed) 22 kilograms for a PC was very low in weight.

    We are talking about the model IBM Model 5100, which had a keyboard, built-in memory and a full display. Such a computer could only be purchased by a wealthy person. The fact is that the basic version cost $ 8975, and the "older" model with all the "stuffing" would cost customers $ 19975.



    The IBM 5100 is a portable desktop computer released in September 1975, six years before the IBM PC. The prototype model was developed in 1973 at the IBM Palo Alto Science Center under the name SCAMP (Special Computer APL Machine Portable). In January 1978, IBM announced the release of the IBM 5110 - the "big cousin" who replaced this series. In February 1980, the IBM 5120 was announced.



    With regard to performance, at that time there were few equal power PCs - the number of competitors could be counted on the fingers of one hand. The Model 5100 ad then said, “You are looking at a small portable computer called 5100. This lineup includes 4 models with 16K, 32K, 48K and 64K memory. The central part of the entire system is a 16-bit processor module called PALM.

    If you compare the portable system with other computers of that time, it wins in all respects. And not only in size, but also in functions. By the way, in the late 60s, similar in performance computers weighed under 500 kg, and their size was equal to two office desks, placed side by side.

    It was a really powerful computer with a large volume (at that time) of RAM and shared memory, a CRT display and a tape drive. It appeared two years before the Commodore PET entered the market .

    As for the display, its diagonal was 5 inches. 16 lines of characters were placed on the screen, 64 characters in each line. If desired, it was possible to display the contents of the first 512 bytes of main memory in hexadecimal format. This was done for diagnostic purposes. If desired, the user could connect an external monitor.

    The computer was equipped with a communications adapter Communications Adapter, thanks to which the operator could send or receive data from a remote system. The tape drive worked with standard DC 300 cartridges. The memory capacity was 204 KB. One drive was installed in the car, the second (Model 5106) could be connected as an external device.


    Work Interact system could with APL, BASIC or both programming languages. At the time of release, only mainframes worked with APL; most desktop computers worked only with BASIC. There was a switch on the front of the machine, with which you could set your preferred programming language.

    The IBM 5100 allowed you to work with complex mathematical problems, conduct statistical calculations and conduct financial analytics. For this, the system was equipped with a number of algorithms that helped the user in daily work.

    The processor and memory were not discrete elements, but were placed as a set of chips on two separate boards.

    IBM 5100 Specifications
    • Model: IBM Portable PC 5100
    • Launch: September, 1975
    • Processor: on discrete TTL logic
    • RAM memory: from 16 KV to 64 KV
    • Data storage: built-in tape drive 200K (DC300)
    • Display: Monochrome (white on black), 16 lines of 64 characters
    • Sound: beeper in keyboard
    • Ports: LAN connector, printer connector
    • OS and software: APL and / or BASIC, templates
    • Weight: 25 kg
    • Price: $ 19975 with 64KRAM

    In general, the IBM 5100 was one of the first truly personal computers. It was intended to solve scientific and professional problems. Business representatives could also work with him. Actually, this PC was more accessible precisely to companies, and not to private individuals, the price was, as one could see, not the lowest.

    Also popular now: