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Overview
The PC 110 has a specification that is hard to beat, even today, in a PalmTop. Plugged into the mains
with external keyboard, mouse and monitor, you can use it as a DeskTop machine. I have mine
at work as a second computer, connected to the internal network through a network
adaptor that runs though the parallel port.
On the road, the IBM PC110 can be used without the docking station, keyboard, etc and run
software from the internal SanDisk.
What's here?
Specification
from Amanda Walkers web page.
- Light weight: 630g [1.3lb] (including 90g battery), A6 size
- CPU: SL Enhanced i486SX-33MHz
- Display: 640 x 480 x 256 pixels, 4.7 inch diagonal SVGA DSTN color LCD
- Data/fax/voice modem built in, and is usable as telephone (uses "Wing Jack" modular jack)
- "Pointing Head" pointing device allows speedy one or two handed operation
- Pen-sensitive pad for drawing or writing
- Front-mounted LCD time and battery level indicator
- SoundBlaster-compatible sound input and output
- Internal IrDA compliant 115kbps serial infrared high speed data transfer port
- 4MB internal flash EPROM (comes formatted as the boot disk)
- Two Type II PCMCIA slots (can be used as one Type III slot)
- One "compact flash" SanDisk slot
- Connector for phone headset, external keyboard/mouse
- Docking station adds external monitor, keyboard, mouse and floppy. Also adds serial and parallel ports.
- 10.5v power supply
PCMCIA and SanDisk
On the left side of the machine you have 2 Type II PCMCIA slots, though the
chances are that you will use up both of them for a hard disk.
On the right of the
machine you have a SanDisk CompactFlash
slot. This is a smaller, PCMCIA compatible, flash card
which has the promise of being used widely in the future. Currently, some digital
cameras use SanDisk technology to store images.
Data/Fax/Voice Modem
The internal modem is a bit pathetic, but just about useable. Windows 95 reports
it as a "Standard Modem". I have not used the PC 110 to send a fax yet nor have I
used it as a phone. As the earpiece for the phone broke of very quickly and
thus broke off a part of the circuit, it is unlikely that I will ever use any of
the telephone functionality. However, from within Windows 95, you can use the
microphone in the mouthpiece to record .WAV files.
PCMCIA Based Hard Disk
The optional hard disk is a Viper 260meg device. You can make it bootable and
with compression you can double it's capacity.
I will post speed test results eventually.
Docking Station
The Docking station has ports for an external monitor, external keyboard, external mouse
(both of these have to have PS/2 connectors), a parellel and serial port and also a
floppy disk connector.
Note: The main unit does have a a connector for an external mouse and keyboard, though
these are not PS/2).
Power Supply
The PC 110 runs off a 10.5v power supply. This is fine for Japan and North America,
though in Europe you are a bit stuffed. You have two options in europe.
- 1. Buy a transformer.
This is not really an option unless as you have to lug the thing
around with you. I do have a transformer, but I leave it at work
so I can plug my PC 110 into the mains during the day.
- 2. Buy a multi-adaptor from a Sony center or Tandy or some such. Set
it to 9v and plug in. I have had absolutly no trouble with this. Infact,
I am planning to buy a 9v car adaptor, so my PC 110 can be used on the
move.
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