HP F1203A
| Industry | Computer hardware |
|---|---|
| Founded | January 1, 1939 |
| Products | HP 200LX Palmtop PC, HP 100LX, HP 95LX, HP OmniGo series |
The HP 200LX Palmtop PC (models F1060A, F1061A, F1216A), internally referred to as project Felix, is a personal digital assistant introduced by Hewlett-Packard in August 1994. Marketed under the Palmtop PC category, it stood out for its extensive DOS compatibility within a compact palmtop design. Key features include a monochrome graphical screen, a QWERTY keyboard, a serial interface, and a PCMCIA expansion slot. The "LX" in its name signifies "Lotus Expandable".
Description
This device incorporates a small-scale QWERTY keyboard combined with a numeric keypad, encased in a clamshell form factor approximately one-quarter the size of a typical notebook computer. Power is supplied by two AA alkaline or Ni-Cd rechargeable batteries, providing 30 to 40 hours of operation. It also supports charging of Ni-Cd and NiMH batteries through a 12 V DC power adapter.
Under the hood, the HP 200LX is powered by an Intel 80186-compatible "Hornet" processor running at about 7.91 megahertz, with options to upgrade or overclock up to 15.8 MHz. Memory configurations include 1, 2, or 4 MB RAM, where 640 KB serves as conventional memory and the remainder acts as expanded memory (EMS) or storage space. Third-party enhancements can expand RAM up to 64 MB, which frees the PCMCIA slot for connectivity cards such as modems or Ethernet adapters. Supported network cards include models from Silicom, Accton (2212/2216), Netgear FA411, and Sohoware ND5120. Functioning as an IBM PC/XT-compatible system running MS-DOS 5.0 embedded in ROM, it can execute most software designed for Intel 8086/8088/80186 processors along with CGA graphics capabilities. Additionally, it can handle certain 80286 applications that do not require protected mode. Expansion options encompass a 16-bit PCMCIA Type II slot (operating at 5 V with a maximum current of 150 mA), an Infrared Data Association (SIR) infrared port, and a full serial port featuring a proprietary mini connector.
The device’s ROM includes preinstalled software such as Lotus 1-2-3 Release 2.4 spreadsheet, calendar, phone book, terminal emulator, Lotus cc:Mail, and scientific/business calculator utilities. When paired with a large CompactFlash card and a serial mouse, it is capable of running Microsoft Windows 3.0 in Real Mode—although hardware limitations apply—with Word 1.x and Excel 2.x available for creating documents compatible with MS Office. The CGA-compatible LCD screen offers a resolution of 640×200 pixels in four shades of gray but does not have built-in backlighting; however, third-party electroluminescent backlight kits have been offered since 2004.
While authentic CGA displays lack support for redefinable fonts and use hardware code page 437 exclusively, the earlier HP 95LX model supported code page 850. Starting from the HP 100LX model onward, the LX series introduced user-selectable text mode ROM fonts covering code pages 437 and 850 along with software-definable RAM fonts catering to additional code pages such as 437G, 437T, 852, and 866. Internally, Lotus 1-2-3 utilizes the Lotus International Character Set (LICS), converting characters to code page 850 for both display and printing purposes.
HP 100LX
The HP 100LX Palmtop PC (F1020A with 1 MB RAM and F1022A with 2 MB RAM), also known as project Cougar, was the predecessor to the HP 200LX. Released in 1993, it was offered in multiple language editions including International English, U.S. English, French, German, and Spanish with localized keyboards and interface messages. It featured the same Hornet CPU and ran MS-DOS 5.0 but contained earlier versions of built-in software applications.
HP Palmtop FX
Introduced in 1993, the HP Palmtop FX is a variant of the HP 100LX that offered up to 2 MB of flashable memory. It supported writable FAT flash disk images through a dedicated utility. This version was reportedly designed specifically for a Korean insurance company.
HP 200LX AIA
The HP 200LX AIA is a specialized edition of the HP 200LX featuring 2 MB of memory and double-speed performance, produced exclusively for the insurance company American International Assurance (AIA).
HP 1000CX
The HP 1000CX Palmtop PC—known internally as project Puma—was released in two configurations: the F1203A model with 1 MB memory in March 1995 and the F1222A with 2 MB in February 1997. This cost-effective alternative to the 200LX lacked preloaded software except for MS-DOS 5.0 embedded in ROM. It found widespread adoption in sectors such as logistics, with firms like Coca-Cola deploying tailored applications. Its black clamshell design contrasted with the dark green casing of the 200LX.
HP OmniGo 700LX
Developed by HP’s Singapore calculator division, the HP OmniGo 700LX Communicator Plus (F1206A), codenamed Columbia, integrated a modified HP 200LX motherboard with a Nokia 2110 GSM phone via an additional PCMCIA slot to provide mobile wireless capabilities. Announced at the end of 1995 and released in March 1996, its pebble-shaped form factor accommodated the phone module. Production ceased as the Nokia 2110 became outdated. The OmniGo 700LX anticipated features later seen in early smartphones such as Nokia's Communicator 9000 series.
HP 95LX
Launched in April 1991 under project Jaguar, the HP 95LX Palmtop PC (F1000A with 512 KB and F1010A with 1 MB) established foundational design principles. It was powered by a NEC V20 CPU clocked at 5.37 MHz and ran MS-DOS 3.22 along with built-in Lotus 1-2-3 Release 2.2. Its LCD offered quarter-CGA resolution and MDA-compatible graphics, which constrained compatibility with standard PC applications by primarily supporting graphics through a unique LX mode. Memory backup was maintained by a CR2032 battery when AA batteries were exhausted.
HP OmniGo 100
The HP OmniGo 100 Organizer Plus (models F1305A and F1310A) succeeded the LX line, combining an HP-12C calculator with a graphical user interface navigated via pen input or keyboard. It operated on DOS-based PEN/GEOS version 2.1 featuring Graffiti handwriting recognition atop Datalight ROM-DOS 6.22. However, it was incompatible with unmodified DOS software. Equipped with 1 MB of RAM and driven by a 16 MHz NEC V30HL CPU (Intel 80186 compatible), it targeted professional users but was eventually eclipsed by Palm and Pocket PC devices as personal digital assistants.
Current usage
Though discontinued to prioritize HP’s Windows CE product line such as the HP 300LX, the HP OmniGo 100 maintains a following due to its MS-DOS foundation, which allows efficient, compact software including bundled titles like Lotus 1-2-3 and Quicken. Compared to Windows CE, DOS applications are more resource-friendly, and utilities like Software Carousel enable multitasking across multiple programs. Additionally, third-party services continue to offer upgrades and repairs to prolong device usability.
The HP 200LX gained particular popularity in Japan for its portability and DOS compatibility, inspiring an open-source initiative led by to create an AMD Élan SC400-based successor starting in 2001. Nevertheless, only one prototype materialized before the project collapsed in bankruptcy in 2003 amid disputes over unreturned deposits and component shortages influenced by demands from the mobile phone sector.
Frequent Issues
- Cracks commonly appear near the right hinge on the injected-molded case top, often caused by inadequate molding flow; applying industrial-strength super glue or metal-epoxy reinforcements can help prevent breakage.
- The case latch may malfunction but can be fixed by inserting thin rubber or sponge pieces to serve as makeshift springs.
- To avoid leakage that harms the LCD flat video cable, only premium AA rechargeable batteries should be used.
- Over time, displays might lose pixel columns due to detached pins on surface-mounted device (SMD) chips; reflowing the solder joints can often recover full display functionality.
- Extensive usage can cause detachment of the space or enter keys, necessitating keyboard replacement.
- The flex strip connector linking the screen to the motherboard is vulnerable to wear and tearing from friction; replacement is required if damage occurs.
- Keys that do not respond usually result from deteriorated graphite-to-gold pad contacts on the keyboard ribbon; restoring these connections can be achieved by applying conductive silver paint or copper tape. Corroded pads on the motherboard may be cleaned with fine steel wool. These repairs demand careful handling of electronic components.
Non-Standard IBM PC Compatibility
- The HP 100LX and HP 200LX lack an audio tone function because their digital-to-analog converter is dedicated to monitoring battery status and charging.
- These models do not support the BIOS interrupt service (INT 13h) for hard disk access. However, some partial device drivers exist that allow booting MINIX 2.0.
Additional Information
- The HP 200LX was utilized during NASA’s Discovery OV103 Mission STS-95, participating in an Electronic Nose experiment developed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Caltech, overseen by Dan Karmon of JPL.
- With software created by Stefan Peichl, the device can play video and audio files at modest quality levels and supports sound recording. Although no PCMCIA sound cards are compatible, MIDI devices such as the Yamaha MU10 operate via serial port using Voyetra or GSPlay. Terrence Vergauwen employs a PCMCIA parallel port card combined with an OPL3LPT (Adlib-compatible) for gaming purposes.
- Both software and hardware solutions exist to enable Internet browsing on the HP 200LX.
- Serial numbers for HP 100LX, 200LX, 1000CX, and OmniGo 700LX models follow this pattern: XXYWWNNNNN, where:
- XX represents the country of manufacture (e.g., SG for Singapore)
- Y indicates the last digit of the production year (e.g., 6 corresponds to 1996)
- WW signifies the week number of manufacture
- NNNNN is the sequence number of units produced within that week
Easter Eggs
The HP 200LX contains several hidden features:
Secret Gallery
Within the built-in game "Lair of Squid," typing "gallery" (adjusted for each language) at startup unlocks a maze segment showcasing photographs of key software developers:
- Andy Gryc
- Pat Megowan
- Everett Kaser
- Bill Johnson
- Lynn Winter
- Susan Wechsler
- Eric Evett
At the end of this corridor, a thank-you note from the Felix Software team is displayed.
Self-Test Poem One
This hidden feature is found in the HP 200LX self-test mode. With the device powered off, pressing initiates self-test mode. By navigating to the display option and pressing fourteen times, a limerick poem appears:
Self-Test Poem Two
Also accessible in the HP 200LX self-test mode, by pressing , choosing display, then , and holding while pressing 13 times, a mysterious poem emerges that metaphorically addresses the obstacles encountered by the software development team:
Self-test poem 3
Within the same self-test environment, executing , selecting display, followed by , and maintaining while pressing 13 times unveils a symbolic poem narrating the history and prospective path of the HP LX palmtops. The project codenames referenced include 'Jaguar' (HP 95LX), 'Cougar' (HP 100LX), and 'Felix' (HP 200LX—the initial LX model featuring Quicken):
Concealed development tool in 'More Applications'
Inside the HP 200LX's integrated System Manager, holding down and pressing four times, then pressing (while still holding ) reveals comprehensive information about System Manager-compatible (.EXM) applications along with other internal program specifics. This feature functions primarily as a developer's utility instead of a standard easter egg.
Undocumented hexadecimal calculator
The HP 200LX includes a hidden calculator utility named HEXCALC, created by Andrew Gryc. This application facilitates arithmetic and logical calculations in binary, octal, decimal, and hexadecimal numeral systems. To incorporate HEXCALC into the applications menu, use the following configuration:
- Name: He&x Calc
- Path: D:\BIN\HEXCALC.EXM
See also
- HP 110 / HP 110 Plus
- DIP Pocket PC / Atari PC Folio / Atari Portfolio
- Poqet PC
- Poqet PC Prime
- Poqet PC Plus
- ZEOS Pocket PC
- Ben NanoNote
- Sub-notebook (HP OmniBook)
- Netbook
- Palmtop PC
- Ultra-mobile PC
Further reading
- The Evolution of the HP Palmtops – An HP engineer recounts the creation of the HP 95LX and HP 100LX. The HP Palmtop Paper, Nov–Dec 1993. [1]
- The First Real Palmtop – A retrospective on early palmtop innovations. Hackaday, 2020. [2]
- The story of the 1991 HP DOS Palmtop – Tracing the evolution from an enhanced calculator to a fully DOS-compatible computer. Bryan Lunduke, 2022. [3]
- The HP 200LX: A Review by Rob Tillotson. [4]
- Sy's HP 200LX review. [5]
- Articles concerning NASA STS-95 E-Nose experiment and related technologies:
- HP 200LX profile at Old-Computers.com Museum [10]
External links
- 200LX Software S.U.P.E.R.: A collection exceeding 1500 applications and 200 databases tailored for the 200LX [11]
- HP Palmtop Paper Online – Marketplace and support for buying, selling, and repairs [12]
- HP Palmtop Ring Official Site [13]
- Skolob's Hewlett Packard 95LX Palmtop Resource – Detailed information and frequently asked questions [14]
- Networking support for the Sohoware ND5120 network adapter on HP palmtops [15]