IBM PC Convertible
In September 2009 I started to downsize this collection to a few items and then archived this section to its own subdomain at the start of October 2011. Remaining items sold off in mid 2024.
This system
In February 2007 I puchased this system through eBay. Included was the unit, power pack, and a serial/parallel slice.
Images
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pc-convertible-01.jpg, 1200x900, 153KB |
| The system ready for use features an LCD screen, two 720KB 3.5" floppy drives and a keyboard. |
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pc-convertible-02.jpg, 1200x900, 132KB |
| The right hand side of the unit with the screen open. At the rear are the red power button and power input. |
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pc-convertible-03.jpg, 1200x900, 133KB |
| The left hand side of the unit with the screen open. Note the raised angle of the floppy drives. |
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pc-convertible-04.jpg, 1200x900, 129KB |
| The rear of the unit features the battery bay and expansion connector. The metal clips are what the expansion options fasten to. |
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pc-convertible-05.jpg, 1200x900, 151KB |
| The battery (and its door) removed from the unit. Instead of connecting via contacts it uses a short cable. |
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pc-convertible-06.jpg, 1200x900, 128KB |
| The right hand side of the unit with the screen closed. |
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pc-convertible-07.jpg, 1200x900, 120KB |
| The right hand side of the unit with the screen closed. |
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pc-convertible-08.jpg, 1200x900, 128KB |
| The front of the unit with the screen closed. Visible on each side below the handle are the catches that hold the screen closed. |
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pc-convertible-09.jpg, 1200x900, 121KB |
| The unit with the screen closed and handle extended. |
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pc-convertible-10.jpg, 1200x900, 143KB |
| The unit with the screen removed which is done by simply releasing a catch. |
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pc-convertible-11.jpg, 1200x900, 136KB |
| The serial/parallel expansion option aligned with the rear of the unit. The far side hooks into the metal clips with the other side featuring a spring loaded latch. |
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pc-convertible-12.jpg, 1200x900, 134KB |
| The serial/parallel expansion option attached to the unit. Further options simply attach in series. |
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pc-convertible-13.jpg, 1200x900, 181KB |
| The 15V power supply. |
Other resources
- IBM PC Convertible - 1000 BiT
- IBM Convertible 5140 - Theodor Lauppert's Homepage
- IBM PC Convertible - corestack.com
- IBM 5140 Convertible Upgrades, Accessories, and Adapters - OLD-COMPUTERS.COM Museum
- IBM 5140 Convertible - OLD-COMPUTERS.COM Museum
- IBM PC-5140 - Old Computer Museum
- IBM Archives: IBM PC Convertible
- IBM Convertible - oldcomputers.net
- 5140 stuff - 9595 Ardent Tool of Capitalism
A compilation of messages from the PS/2 newsgroup, individual e-mails, and classes at the school of hard knocks. - The PC Convertible - the poorest selling portable computer at the time!
"Why did the machine sell so poorly? Because IBM was not paying attention to the marketplace. At the time, companies like Compaq were developing and releasing 286 portables - with optional hard disks. " - IBM PC Convertible interface layout - Yet another computer museum
- IBM Convertible 5140 - Yet another computer museum
- IBM 5140 Convertible - OLD-COMPUTERS.COM Museum
- IBM 5140 - The History of Computing Project
- IBM's PC Convertible - Marznet's Great Moments in Computer History
- The IBM 5140 PC Convertible
Introduced in 1986 as IBM's first true "Laptop" type computer, although since it weighed almost 12lbs, it certainly wasn't something you would want to operate on your lap. But for 1986, it was a technological breakthrough and offered the ability to run wi - IBM 5140 (PC Convertible) - John Elliott's homepage
- IBM PC Convertible - Computer Closet Collection
- IBM PC Convertible - Erik S. Klein's Vintage Computer Collection
- IBM PC Convertible - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia