IBM Palm Top PC 110
| Company type | Product |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer hardware |
| Founded | September 1995 |
| Founder | IBM Japan and Ricoh |
| Headquarters | Japan |
| Products | Palmtop computer |
The Palm Top PC 110 represents a palmtop computer created through a collaboration between IBM's Japanese division and Ricoh, launched solely in the Japanese market in September 1995. Equipped with an Intel 80486SX processor, it was offered in three different setups featuring a Japanese keyboard, compatibility with docking stations, and an integrated modem. Its compact form factor was honed throughout development, and while reviewers commended its capabilities after release, they also pointed out the limited size of the keyboard as a disadvantage.
Specifications
With dimensions of , the PC 110’s casing was constructed from sturdy duralumin, and it weighed approximately with the battery installed. It operated on a standard 7.2 V lithium-ion battery (NP500 series), commonly used in Video8 camcorders produced by companies like Sony and Panasonic. The device included an 89-key keyboard following the JIS layout, complemented by a small digitizer for stylus interaction, positioned between mouse buttons and a single TrackPoint located on the left side.
The unit featured two PC Card slots—Type I and Type II—that could be combined to form a Type III slot for larger cards. IBM provided an expansion dock that added ports for keyboard, mouse, parallel, and serial connections. An external 3.5-inch floppy disk drive was accessible only through this docking station.
Powered by the Intel 486SX running at 33 MHz, the PC 110 had a dual-scan passive-matrix LCD screen measuring 4.7 inches diagonally with a resolution of 640 × 480 pixels supporting 256 colors. An external monitor could be connected to display up to 800 × 600 pixels with 16 colors via the Chips and Technologies 65535 graphics controller. Instead of a conventional hard disk drive, it contained 4 MB of flash memory pre-installed with Japanese PC DOS 7.0 alongside IBM Japan’s Personaware graphical user interface. Additional storage was available through a Compact Flash card slot.
Memory configurations varied from a base model with 4 MB RAM to versions equipped with up to 8 MB RAM and an Intégral Peripherals-manufactured 260 MB hard drive occupying both PC Card slots as a Type III card. Models featuring hard drives initially came bundled with Windows 3.1 and were later upgraded to Windows 95.
Audio capabilities included a Sound Blaster-compatible speaker and microphone, as well as an integrated voice-data modem featuring a swing-out jack developed jointly by IBM, Ricoh, and Hosiden. This design allowed voice communication using either the built-in speaker/microphone or an optional headset, effectively transforming the device into a portable handset. Additionally, IBM commissioned Canon to manufacture an optional webcam that connected via the PC Card slot to enhance multimedia functionality.
Development
The Palm Top PC 110 emerged from a partnership between IBM Japan and optical imaging specialist Ricoh under the leadership of chief engineer Tetsuya Kaku. It was conceived as the successor to IBM’s popular ThinkPad 200 series subnotebooks. Early prototypes approximated the size of a VHS cassette; however, the design evolved into a slimmer yet thicker form to facilitate thumb-typing on its integrated keyboard and to accommodate the camcorder battery powering it. The process of miniaturizing components resulted in relatively high manufacturing expenses for this category of device. To control production costs, Kaku’s team strategically reused existing parts where feasible—for example, employing the same 4.7-inch display panel found in contemporary color-capable GPS receivers. Although there were plans for a variant equipped with a CT2 cellular modem, this model never reached the market.
Marketing and reception
Launched solely in the Japanese market in September 1995, IBM utilized the licensed tokusatsu superhero figure Ultraman from Tsuburaya as a promotional icon.
Although the PC 110 received commendation for its compact design and feature integration, its keyboard configuration and small keys drew significant criticism from both Japanese consumers and international technology journalists. Steven Myers of Computing Japan noted that the keyboard was "challenging to operate unless placed flat on a surface—and nearly impossible to use while standing." Similarly, Stephen Manes from The New York Times expressed comparable difficulties but eventually developed effective typing methods during his evaluation. Nonetheless, reviewers appreciated the device’s overall functionality and lauded its high-resolution LCD screen for offering enhanced clarity compared to monochrome handhelds such as the Sharp Zaurus. Manes emphasized its support for IBM PC software, including Windows, which gave it an edge over competitors like Sharp and Psion, although the 486SX processor constrained performance with more demanding applications. He suggested IBM consider incorporating the "butterfly keyboard" design found on the ThinkPad 701 and adding an additional PC Card slot to improve expandability.
Following the introduction of the WorkPad Z50, a handheld PC running Windows CE, IBM discreetly phased out the PC 110 in 1999. In 2002, commemorating the tenth anniversary of ThinkPad, Hideo Ishii of PC Watch described the PC 110 as "a product ahead of its era."
See also
External links
- Japanese documentation:
- Palm Top PC 110 on ThinkWiki.org
- Palm Top PC 110 on ThinkWiki.de