HP F1061A

Hewlett-Packard
Industry	Computer hardware
Founded	January 1, 1939; 87 years ago
Products	HP 200LX Palmtop PC, HP 100LX, HP 95LX, HP OmniGo series

The HP 200LX Palmtop PC (models F1060A, F1061A, F1216A), also referred to as project Felix, is a personal digital assistant launched by Hewlett-Packard in August 1994. This device stood out as a DOS-compatible handheld computer equipped with a monochrome graphical screen, a QWERTY keyboard, a serial interface, and a PCMCIA expansion slot. The "LX" designation represented "Lotus Expandable."

Description

Data entry is facilitated through a compact QWERTY keyboard that includes a numeric keypad, all enclosed within a clamshell design approximately one-quarter the size of a conventional laptop. It delivers 30 to 40 hours of operation powered by two AA alkaline or Ni-Cd rechargeable batteries and supports recharging of Ni-Cd and NiMH battery types via a 12 V DC power adapter.

The HP 200LX is driven by an Intel 80186-compatible "Hornet" processor running at roughly 7.91 MHz, with an option to upgrade to 15.8 MHz. Memory configurations include 1, 2, or 4 MB—comprising 640 KB of RAM alongside expanded memory or storage. Third-party upgrades allow memory expansion up to 64 MB, freeing the PCMCIA slot for modem or Ethernet cards compatible with brands such as Silicom, Accton, Netgear FA411, and Sohoware ND5120. Operating MS-DOS 5.0 from ROM and offering IBM PC/XT compatibility, it supports most software designed for Intel 8086/8088/80186 processors with CGA graphics and can run certain 80286 applications that do not require protected mode. Expansion options include a 16-bit PCMCIA Type II slot (5 V at a maximum of 150 mA), an infrared port compliant with IrDA standards, and a full serial port accessible through a proprietary mini connector.

Preloaded ROM applications consist of Lotus 1-2-3 Release 2.4 spreadsheet, calendar, phone book, terminal emulator, Lotus cc:Mail, as well as scientific and business calculators. When paired with a large CompactFlash card and serial mouse, Microsoft Windows 3.0 can operate in Real Mode—limited by hardware constraints—allowing use of Word 1.x and Excel 2.x for Windows to create files compatible with MS Office. The CGA-compatible LCD provides a resolution of 640×200 pixels with four gray shades but does not include backlighting; however, third-party electroluminescent backlight kits have been available since 2004.

Although traditional CGA displays do not support redefinable fonts in text mode and utilize hardware code page 437, the HP 95LX supported code page 850. Beginning with the HP 100LX model, the LX series introduced user-selectable text mode ROM fonts for code pages 437 and 850 along with software-definable RAM fonts covering code pages such as 437G, 437T, 852, and 866 through the KEYBEZ utility. Internally, Lotus 1-2-3 employs the Lotus International Character Set (LICS), which converts characters to code page 850 for both display and printing purposes.

HP 100LX

The HP 100LX Palmtop PC (available as F1020A with 1 MB or F1022A with 2 MB) was codenamed project Cougar and served as the predecessor to the HP 200LX. Released in 1993, this model came in multiple language editions including International English, U.S. English, French, German, and Spanish versions featuring localized keyboards and interface messages. It shares the Hornet CPU architecture and runs MS-DOS 5.0, though it contains earlier iterations of built-in software applications.

HP Palmtop FX

The HP Palmtop FX variant of the HP 100LX was introduced in 1993 with up to 2 MB of flashable memory. It allowed users to create FAT flash disk images using the FLASHDSK.EXE utility. This particular model was reportedly developed for use by a Korean insurance company and offered enhanced storage capabilities compared to its predecessors.

HP 200LX AIA

The HP 200LX AIA is a specialized edition of the HP 200LX featuring 2 MB of memory and double the processing speed, created exclusively for American International Assurance (AIA). This model exemplifies HP's approach to customizing products for corporate clientele.

HP 1000CX

Known by the codename Puma, the HP 1000CX Palmtop PC (available as F1203A with 1 MB or F1222A with 2 MB) represents a cost-effective alternative to the 200LX. It includes only MS-DOS 5.0 in ROM without additional pre-installed software. This model, featuring a distinctive black clamshell design unlike the dark green of the 200LX, found widespread use in enterprises such as Coca-Cola for tailored logistics applications.

HP OmniGo 700LX

The HP OmniGo 700LX Communicator Plus (F1206A), internally named Columbia, was engineered by HP’s Singapore calculator division as an integrated device merging the HP 200LX with a Nokia 2110 GSM mobile phone. It was factory-adapted to include a second PCMCIA slot compatible with a Nokia Data Card. Its unique pebble-shaped chassis accommodated the phone module. Announced in late 1995 and released from March 1996, this product was an early example of combining portable computing with mobile telephony before production ended due to the Nokia 2110 becoming outdated. The OmniGo 700LX foreshadowed future smartphone models like the Nokia Communicator 9000.

HP 95LX

Debuting in April 1991 as project Jaguar, the HP 95LX Palmtop PC (F1000A with 512 KB or F1010A with 1 MB) laid the groundwork for subsequent designs. Equipped with a NEC V20 processor running at 5.37 MHz, it operated on MS-DOS 3.22 and included Lotus 1-2-3 Release 2.2 pre-installed. Its quarter-CGA LCD and MDA-compatible graphics constrained general PC application performance but supported a specialized LX graphics mode. Memory retention was maintained through a CR2032 battery alongside AA cells.

HP OmniGo 100

Succeeding the LX line, the HP OmniGo 100 Organizer Plus (models F1305A/F1310A) integrated HP-12C calculator capabilities within a GUI navigable by pen or keyboard. However, it lacked compatibility with unmodified DOS software. Operating primarily on DOS-based PEN/GEOS 2.1 with Graffiti handwriting input over Datalight ROM-DOS 6.22, it housed a NEC V30HL CPU running at 16 MHz, compatible with Intel’s 80186 architecture, and contained 1 MB of RAM. Despite its features, it did not achieve significant success as a calculator substitute and was eventually surpassed by Palm and Pocket PC devices.

Current usage

Although production ceased to pave the way for HP’s Windows CE devices beginning with the HP 300LX, the HP OmniGo 100 continues to attract attention due to its MS-DOS foundation and bundled applications such as Lotus 1-2-3 and Quicken. Its DOS environment enabled compact, efficient software and multitasking through utilities like Software Carousel. The availability of third-party enhancements and repair services helps prolong its operational lifespan.

In Japan, enthusiasm for the HP 200LX inspired an open-source project initiated in 2001 aiming to create an AMD Élan SC400-based successor; however, only one prototype was produced before bankruptcy occurred in 2003. This venture faced challenges amid component shortages attributed to high demand from the mobile phone sector.

Frequent Issues

Cracks commonly appear near the right hinge on the injected-molded case top, caused by inadequate molding flow; these can be repaired using industrial-grade super glue or epoxy combined with metal reinforcement.
The case latch may malfunction but can be remedied by inserting a thin piece of rubber or sponge to serve as a spring.
It is essential to use only premium AA rechargeable batteries to prevent leakage that can harm the LCD flat video cable.
Older units might experience loss of display pixel columns due to detachment of pins on the SMD chip; reflow soldering can reestablish these connections.
Extensive usage can cause the spacebar or enter key to become detached, necessitating keyboard replacement.
The flex cable connecting the screen to the motherboard is vulnerable to tearing from internal wear; if damaged, replacement is generally required.
Unresponsive keys often result from deteriorated graphite-to-gold contact pads on the keyboard ribbon; restoring conductivity with conductive silver paint or copper tape can resolve this. Corroded motherboard pads may be cleaned using fine steel wool. Such repairs require caution and expertise in electronics due to the delicate nature of reassembly.

Limitations in Full IBM PC Compatibility

The HP 100LX and HP 200LX feature a digital-to-analog converter that does not generate audio tones; instead, it monitors battery status and charging.
These devices do not support the BIOS interrupt service (INT 13h) for hard disk access. However, partial drivers have been created to allow booting MINIX 2.0.

Additional Information

The HP 200LX was utilized during NASA’s Discovery OV103 Mission STS-95, which was Senator John Glenn’s final spaceflight. It was part of an Electronic Nose experiment developed by JPL and Caltech, overseen by Dan Karmon at JPL.
Although the HP 200LX can play video and audio files with third-party applications, the playback quality is limited. It supports low-quality sound recording but lacks compatible PCMCIA sound cards. MIDI instruments such as the Yamaha MU10 operate through the serial port using software like Voyetra or GSPlay, while parallel port cards enable Adlib-compatible audio for gaming.
Various hardware and software options are available to provide Internet connectivity on the HP 200LX.
Serial numbers on HP models including 100LX, 200LX, 1000CX, and OmniGo 700LX follow this structure: XXYWWNNNNN:

XX indicates manufacturing country (e.g., SG for Singapore)

Y represents the last digit of the production year (e.g., 6 for 1996)

WW corresponds to the manufacturing week of that year

NNNNN is the sequential unit number produced during that week

Hidden Features

The HP 200LX contains several embedded easter eggs:

Secret Gallery

Within the pre-installed game "Lair of Squid," entering "gallery" (adjusted for French, German, and Spanish versions) at startup unlocks a maze area showcasing photographs of principal software developers:

Andy Gryc
Pat Megowan
Everett Kaser
Bill Johnson
Lynn Winter
Susan Wechsler
Eric Evett

The final screen displays a message from the Felix software team expressing gratitude to HP and its collaborators.

Self-Test Limerick

This easter egg is accessible in the HP 200LX self-test mode. With the device powered off, pressing initiates self-test mode; navigating to the display setting and pressing fourteen times reveals a limerick poem:

Self-test poem 2

Within the HP 200LX self-test mode, by pressing , selecting display, then pressing and holding while pressing 13 times, a mysterious poem emerges that symbolizes the software team's business struggles:

Self-test poem 3

While in the same self-test mode, pressing , then holding and pressing 13 times reveals a metaphorical poem narrating the history and future of the HP LX palmtops. The project codenames referenced include 'Jaguar' (HP 95LX), 'Cougar' (HP 100LX), and 'Felix' (HP 200LX—the initial LX model to feature Quicken):

Concealed development feature in 'More Applications'

Inside the HP 200LX’s integrated System Manager, pressing four times while holding , followed by , when in the 'More Applications' menu (accessed via the blue key), displays comprehensive details about System Manager-compatible (.EXM) applications along with other internal program data—this is likely intended as a developer utility rather than a hidden feature.

Undocumented hexadecimal calculator

The HP 200LX includes a hidden calculator tool named HEXCALC, created by Andrew Gryc. This application handles arithmetic and logical operations across binary, octal, decimal, and hexadecimal number systems. To add it to the applications list, use the following configuration:

Name: He&x Calc
Path: D:\BIN\HEXCALC.EXM

External links

200LX Software S.U.P.E.R. mirror hosting over 1500 programs and 200 databases for the 200LX.
HP Palmtop Paper Online (Thaddeus Computing; Buy-Sell-Repair).
HP Palmtop Ring Homepage.
Skolob's Hewlett Packard 95LX Palmtop Page (Information and FAQ on HP 95LX).
Compatibility details for the Sohoware ND5120 network card on an HP palmtop.