Packard Bell Statesman

Packard Bell Statesman
Company type	Product line
Industry	Computer hardware
Founded	1993
Products	Notebook computers
Parent	Packard Bell

The Packard Bell Statesman represented an entry-level series of notebook computers launched in 1993 by Packard Bell. Positioned as a cost-effective alternative, it delivered reduced performance and fewer capabilities compared to rival models but came at a lower price point. Created through a partnership with Zenith Data Systems, the Statesman was essentially a rebadged version of Zenith's Z-Star 433 lineup, differing primarily in its branding elements.

History

In June 1993, Zenith Data Systems acquired approximately 20% ownership of Packard Bell, establishing a collaborative venture to co-develop and manufacture personal computers. As part of this partnership, Zenith provided Packard Bell with customized versions of their portable PC designs. The Statesman was effectively a rebranded Zenith Z-Star notebook, with both products being marketed simultaneously.

Officially released on October 4, 1993, the Statesman started at a price of $1,500 for configurations equipped with a 33 MHz Cyrix Cx486SLC processor, 4 MB of RAM, a 200 MB hard disk, an internal 1.44 MB floppy drive, and came preloaded with MS-DOS 6.0 alongside Windows 3.1x. The system featured a "J mouse" pointing device akin to the TrackPoint and was anticipated to be available within weeks.

Hardware

CPU

The first offerings, designated as 200M and 200C models, incorporated the Cyrix Cx486SLC, which marked Cyrix's inaugural processor release. This 16-bit chip operated at 33 MHz and shared pin compatibility with the Intel 80386SX. It included 1 KB of L1 cache and supported 486 instruction sets, classifying it as a hybrid processor. The motherboard architecture allowed for an optional Cyrix FasMath co-processor to boost floating-point calculation capabilities.

Later iterations—the 200M Plus and 200C Plus—upgraded the CPU to the Cyrix Cx486SLC2, running at 50 MHz, representing a 50% increase in clock speed over its predecessor while maintaining similar cache size and pin compatibility.

Graphics & Display

All variants utilized graphics controllers from the Chips & Technologies 655xx series: specifically CT65520, CT65525, and CT65530 models. Introduced in early 1992, the CT65520 supported Super VGA resolutions up to 1024x768 pixels with either 16 colors or grayscale, or alternatively 800x600 pixels at 256 colors. The CT65530 model added features such as mixed voltage support and linear addressing for video memory.

The notebooks featured 9.5-inch DSTN LCD panels with an 800x600 pixel resolution; monochrome displays were standard on the 200M and 200M Plus units, whereas the 200C and 200C Plus included color screens.

Audio

Sound functionality was minimal across all configurations, relying solely on a piezoelectric speaker integrated into the motherboard without any dedicated audio controller hardware.

Memory

Memory capacity ranged from 4 MB to 8 MB of EDO RAM installed on proprietary SIPP modules, with expandability up to a maximum of 12 MB using compatible upgrades.

Storage

Hard disk options included capacities of either 100 MB or 200 MB, with potential upgrades reaching up to 500 MB. Every model contained an internal floppy disk drive supporting 1.44 MB diskettes.

Ports & Expansion

Each notebook was equipped with one serial port, one parallel port, VGA output connectivity, and a combined PS/2 port for keyboard and mouse input. Expansion possibilities were limited to a single PCMCIA type II card slot.

Keyboard & Mouse

The compact keyboards incorporated control keys alongside an innovative J key that operated as a pointing device similar to IBM’s TrackPoint technology. Additional keys labeled S, D, F, G, and spacebar enabled mouse functions such as right-clicking, left-clicking, double-clicking, and middle-clicking actions.

Software

The lineup was delivered with MS-DOS alongside Windows 3.1 as the default operating systems.

Model Comparison

Statesman 200M — This original variant came equipped with a monochrome DSTN display and utilized a Nickel-cadmium battery that provided up to four hours of operation. It weighed approximately 7.4 lb and carried a price tag of $1500.

Statesman 200C — Essentially the same as the 200M but featured a color DSTN screen, resulting in a slightly shorter battery duration of around three hours. This model was priced $700 higher, at $2200.

Statesman 200M/200C Plus — These upgraded versions retained the characteristics of their earlier counterparts but incorporated a Cyrix Cx486SLC2 processor clocked at 50 MHz. In 1994, the 200C Plus was offered for roughly $2,295 with 4 MB of RAM; adding 8 MB cost an additional $400.

	200M	200C	200M Plus	200C Plus
Display	9.5in 800x600 Monochrome DSTN	9.5in 800x600 Color DSTN	9.5in 800x600 Monochrome DSTN	9.5in 800x600 Color DSTN
CPU	Cyrix Cx486SLC - 33 MHz		Cyrix Cx486SLC2 - 50 MHz
RAM	4-12 MB
Video Controller	CHIPS 65520/525/530
Audio Controller	None
Storage	100 or 200 MB Hard Disk Drive
Operating System	MS-DOS/Windows 3.1
Retail price	$1500	$2200	$1599	$2295

Reception

The Statesman series received varied feedback, being commended for its cost-effectiveness and battery endurance, while facing criticism over its performance capabilities and display quality.

Reviewers from PC World highlighted the 200M’s competitive $1500 price point and four-hour battery life but described its performance as subpar and its monochrome screen as "cloudy and dim." The included J mouse required some acclimation but was found to be functional. The 200M placed third in PC World’s ranking of top budget PCs.

The color screen on the 200C was regarded as only a slight enhancement, earning it ninth place on PC World’s list of budget laptops.

Compute! Magazine’s evaluation of the 200C Plus emphasized its affordability and acceptable display quality but criticized its sluggish performance, absence of a trackball, and inadequate support for external monitors.

References

External links

LGR: $2,400 Laptop From 1994: Packard Bell Statesman, YouTube, 8 May 2020
Statesman drivers and software