DOS Palmtop: Gestra VKPN 20 Details and specs

Gestra VKPN 20 (Sharp PC3000)

About this machine:

The Gestra VKPN 20 / Gestra VKP 20 is just a re-branded Sharp PC-3000 including some special accessories. I don't really understand the difference between VKP and VKPN - in the manual it is called VKP and the branding reads VKPN. This was sold as a "TrapTest" - whatever that means. It includes not just nice custom made cases but also special software, some measuring (?) equipment and a seperate Handbook for the software. Gestra is/was a German company, but changed legal form and owners and now belongs to a British holding if I got that right.

Specs:

CPU: 80C88A @ 10 MHz
Graphics: Monochrome CGA, 80 x 25 character text mode
Display: 640 x 200 monochrome Supertwist , 4 grey scales, 7.2 inch
Memory (RAM): 1 MB
ROM (Software): 1 MB
I/O ports: RS232 Serial (proprietary 10 pin cable was included accessory), Parallel port (proprietary 20 pin cable included), 2 x PCMCIA 1.0 Type I Slot, "Expansion Bus" (For the floppy disk drive)
Sound: PC Speaker - Piezo
Operating System: MS-DOS 3.3
Software: Good setup utility but weak PIM software with only rudimentary database, spreadsheet and word processing
Size: Length 11.2 cm, Width 22.2 cm, Height 2.5 cm (4.4 inches x 8.7 inches x 1 inch)
Powered by: 3 AA batteries - rechargable or non-rechargable or AC adaptor (optional accessory), CR2032 Lithium button cell as memory backup
Weight: 480 gram (17 ounces) without and about 600 gram (21 ounces) including 2 standard AA and CR2032 batteries
Special features: BIOS Option to invert display. Drive Activity Indicators. RAM can be configured as additional RAMDISK space for saving user files.
Released: Late 1991 (Hong Kong) April 1992 (Canada)
Originally retailed for:: 1000 USD
Clone of: Not a clone. The PC-3100 is the same with just more RAM.
Similar models: Sharp PC-3100

Pros:
- PCMCIA 1.0 Type 1 slot but can use "some" flash/CF cards with a special driver.
- Fully CGA compliant, so most CGA based DOS appz and games work
- Excellent keyboard
- One of the "faster" palmtops
- Invertible screen, so graphical CGA games look good

Cons:
- DOS 3.3 does not allow flash card partitions larger than 32 MB
- Can only access flash cards using a Driver
- One of the larger palmtops
- Rather weak PIM software

Collector Value:
10 of 10

Usage Value:
9 of 10

Verdict:
Probably the only "Branded" Sharp I ever saw..

Sharp PC-3000/PC-3100 Gallery

Sharp PC-3000/PC-3100 Extras

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