Poqet Computer Corporation
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer hardware |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Fate | Acquired by Fujitsu Ltd. |
| Products | Poqet PC series (Classic, Prime, Plus) |
| Parent | Fujitsu Ltd. |
The Poqet PC series consists of palmtop PCs introduced in 1989 by Poqet Computer Corporation. The original model was notable as the first IBM PC–compatible palmtop capable of running MS-DOS with CGA resolution support. It operated on two AA batteries and utilized advanced power management techniques—such as halting the CPU between keystrokes—to extend battery life from several weeks up to months, depending on usage patterns. The device featured an "instant on" function, enabling immediate operation after powering down without requiring a full reboot. Comparable devices included the HP 95LX/HP 100LX/HP 200LX and the Atari Portfolio. Initially priced around US$2,000, the product line was discontinued following Poqet Computer Corp.'s acquisition by Fujitsu Ltd.
Poqet PC: Classic and Prime Models
Three distinct versions were released: the original Poqet PC (later referred to as "Classic"), the Poqet PC Prime, and the Poqet PC Plus, which appeared several years afterward. The Prime model enhanced the Classic by increasing RAM capacity from 512 to 640 KB and improving power management features.
Technical Details
- Dimensions: × ×
- Weight: including batteries
- Battery longevity: Between 50 and 100 hours (reduced with intensive CPU activity)
- Processor: Intel 80C88 running at 7 MHz
- Memory: 640 KB SRAM
- Screen: Reflective DSTN panel without backlighting
- Display modes supported: MDA text mode (80 × 25 characters); CGA graphics mode (640 × 200 pixels)
- Expansion slots: Two Type I PCMCIA slots compliant with Revision 1.0
- Storage options: Drives A/B accept 512 KB–2 MB PCMCIA cards (sold separately); Drive C contains a 768 KB ROM with MS-DOS 3.3 and PoqetTools; Drive D is a volatile RAM drive of 22 KB
- Pre-installed software includes MS-DOS 3.3, PoqetLink, and PoqetTools
Poqet PC Plus
After Fujitsu took over Poqet Computer Corp., the Poqet PC Plus was introduced as an upgraded successor to both the Classic and Prime models. Major advancements encompassed a rechargeable battery pack—although with lower capacity than that of the Classic—enhanced PC Card slots capable of accommodating a broader variety of cards, including Type II and Revision 2.0 cards such as flash memory, SRAM, and certain modem cards, along with a transflective backlit LCD. The device came equipped with 2 MB of RAM partitioned into 640 KB for DOS, 64 KB shadow BIOS, and between 1 to 1344 KB configurable as EMS or RAM disk. Its backlit display offered improved durability compared to the Classic’s non-backlit screen.
Despite these upgrades, the Plus model was bulkier and heavier, weighing approximately , compared to the Classic’s . It utilized a rare 26-pin JAE serial connector that lacked widespread adapter availability, though some Toshiba peripherals shared this interface. Compatibility challenges remained: it did not fully comply with PCMCIA Release 2.0 standards, restricting support to select modem cards like the PNB Samantha, Megahertz 14.4 kbit/s with XJACK, and AT&T Paradyne KeepInTouch models. Furthermore, many newer CompactFlash cards were incompatible.
Technical Details
- Dimensions: × ×
- Weight: including batteries
- Battery life expectancy: Ranges from 3 to 12 hours depending on usage
- CPU: NEC V30 operating at 16 MHz
- Memory configuration: Total of 2 MB (640 KB allocated for DOS, 64 KB shadow BIOS, remainder configurable as EMS or RAM disk)
- Display: Transflective backlit LCD measuring diagonally
- Supported display modes: MDA text (80 x 25 characters), CGA graphics (640 x 200 pixels)
- Expansion capabilities:
- Two Type II PCMCIA slots (partial compatibility with PCMCIA Revision 2.0)
** One TTL serial port
** One configurable TTL/RS-232 serial port - Compatible PCMCIA cards include SunDisk ATA Flash memory (3.3 V and 5 V), SRAM cards, and selected modems such as AT&T Paradyne KeepInTouch, Megahertz’s 14.4 kbit/s with XJACK, and PNB Samantha.
- Two Type II PCMCIA slots (partial compatibility with PCMCIA Revision 2.0)
- Storage configuration:
- Left PCMCIA slot serves as Drive A
** Right slot serves as Drive B
** ROM drive with MS-DOS version 5.0 serves as Drive C
** Flash drive of approximately 784 KB is Drive D
** Optional RAM drive designated as Drive E
- Left PCMCIA slot serves as Drive A
- Included software packages:
- MS-DOS version 5.0
** EMS driver
** RAM Disk driver
** Flash memory utility
** Barcode reader application
** PenConnect serial communication software
** PCMCIA driver
- MS-DOS version 5.0
Reception
As one of the pioneering subnotebooks available, the Poqet PC remains among the most compact devices ever produced, with only the HP 200LX being smaller. It quickly earned a prominent position in the realm of portable computing, receiving the Technical Excellence Award from PC Magazine in 1989, credited to its creators Ian H. S. Cullimore, John P. Fairbanks, Leroy D. Harper, Shinpei Ichikawa, and Stavro Evangelo Prodromou. Additionally, PC World recognized it as one of "the 50 greatest gadgets of the last 50 years." Despite such accolades, its commercial lifespan was relatively short, spanning approximately from 1989 until 1994. Following Fujitsu's acquisition of Poqet, the product series was phased out.
Initially, demand for devices like the Poqet and HP 200LX waned with the emergence of Windows CE, which impacted their market presence. Nevertheless, Windows CE’s limitations eventually sparked renewed interest in DOS-based systems such as the Poqet and HP 'LX' lines, which were compatible with widely used business applications like Lotus 1-2-3. Today, Poqet units continue to attract buyers, though they generally sell at lower prices compared to HP models. For instance, Disks 'n' Data, a retailer located in Cherry Hill, NJ, experienced rapid sellouts of both Poqet Classics and Pluses due to strong customer demand.
See also
Works cited
- California Digital. 2006. 2006-12-22.
- Mason, Bryan. The Poqet PC Home Page. 2006. 2006-12-25.
- Poqet PC Plus Serial Adapter. 2005. 2006-12-22.
- Wong, Al. Al's Review of Fujitsu's Poqet PC Plus. 2001. 2006-12-23.
Further reading
External links
- The Poqet PC Home Page – Repository of manuals, software downloads, and frequently asked questions.
- A Poqet PC Wiki – An evolving wiki dedicated to the Poqet PC.
- Fujitsu's Home Page – Website of the company that later acquired Poqet.
- Poqet PC for ham radio – Guidance on using the Poqet for field operations.
- Poqet PC Plus Serial Adapter – Information on serial adapter hardware.
- California Digital – Vendor offering Poqet Pluses and related accessories.
- Poqet PC review by Tom Carlson.
- PC World - The 50 Greatest Gadgets of the Past 50 Years – Featuring coverage of the Poqet computer.
- PC Magazine article mentioning the Poqet PC
- New York Times May 14, 1989 "The Big News in Tiny Computers" by John Markoff