Bondwell
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Personal computers, Electronics |
| Founded | 1981 |
| Defunct | 1993 |
| Fate | Acquired and rebranded as Remotec Technology Ltd |
| Headquarters | United States, Hong Kong |
| Products | Portable computers, laptops, consumer electronics (universal remote controls) |
Bondwell Industrial Co. Inc. operated as a manufacturer of personal computers based in both the United States and Hong Kong from 1981 until 1993. The company gained recognition for producing cost-effective portable computing devices and contributing early technological advancements within the electronics sector.
History
During the early 1980s, Bondwell developed portable "luggable" computers powered by the Z80 processor and running CP/M-80, including models such as the Bondwell-12, -14, and -16. These systems incorporated integrated speech synthesis technology and were competitively priced, although compromises were made regarding robustness and power supply design. Released in 1984, the Bondwell-12 featured 64 KB of RAM, CP/M version 2.2, dual single-sided floppy disk drives, and a 9-inch monochrome CRT screen. The Bondwell-14 offered enhancements like 128 KB memory, CP/M 3.0, and double-sided floppy drives. Meanwhile, the Bondwell-16 included a nearly 10 MB hard drive.
The Bondwell-2 model, introduced in 1985, was one of the earliest battery-operated CP/M laptops, equipped with 64 KB memory and a single 3.5-inch floppy drive, with expandability up to 512 KB of RAM. Subsequently, the more sophisticated Bondwell-18 transitioned to MS-DOS and utilized x86 architecture.
In 1986, Bondwell launched the Model 8, which incorporated an Intel 80C88 CPU running at 4.77 MHz, a backlit LCD screen, an internal battery, a 3.5-inch floppy drive, and in its US variant, an integrated modem. The company expanded its product line to include portables based on the Intel 80286 processor such as the B310 Plus, eventually progressing to models powered by Intel 386 processors by the early 1990s.
By approximately 1988, Bondwell broadened its portfolio into consumer electronics with products like the BW-5010 universal remote control capable of operating up to five different devices and featuring a backlit interface.
In 1993, Bondwell was acquired and rebranded as Remotec Technology Ltd, signaling the conclusion of its original focus on portable computer hardware manufacturing.
This company overview emphasizes Bondwell’s dedication to delivering affordable portable computing products, pioneering developments in speech synthesis and early laptop engineering, and its eventual corporate transformation through acquisition—illustrating significant elements of its growth trajectory and influence within the electronics market throughout the 1980s and early 1990s.
External links
- Bondwell 12 & 14, Albert's Virtual Computer Museum
- Articles with short description
- American companies established in 1981
- American companies disestablished in 1993
- Computer companies established in 1981
- Computer companies disestablished in 1993
- Defunct computer companies of the United States
- Defunct computer hardware companies
- Electronics companies established in 1981
- Electronics companies disestablished in 1993
- 5
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment