DOS Palmtop: HP 1000CX Details and specs

Hewlett Packard 1000 CX (HP 1000CX)

About this machine:

If you have read my page about the HP 200LX then there is not much to be said about the 1000CX. The internal HP codename is "Puma". The only difference to the 200LX is that it lacks ALL software on the ROM besides of course the operating system - MS-DOS. The only other difference is that the case comes in black instead of dark green. Some large companies like Coca-Cola reportedly used these together with custom warehouse management software.

Specs:

CPU: Intel 80186 @ 7.91 MHz
Graphics: Monochrome CGA, 80 x 25 character text mode, CGA 2 color monochrome graphics mode
Display: 640 x 200 monochrome STN , 4 grey scales, 4.8 inch
Memory (RAM): 1 MB or 2 MB(1 MB at initial release, 2 MB model in february 1997)
ROM (Software): 1 MB
I/O ports: RS232 Serial (proprietary 10 pin cable was optional accessory), PCMCIA 2.0 Type 2 slot, Infrared (SIR, NOT IrDA)
Sound: PC Speaker - Piezo
Operating System: MS-DOS 5.0
Software: Absolutely none! Only what comes with MS-DOS!
Size: Length 8.5cm, Width 15.9cm, Height 2.6cm (3.4 inches x 6.3 inches x 1 inch)
Powered by: 2 AA batteries - rechargable or non-rechargable or AC adaptor (optional accessory), CR2032 Lithium button cell as memory backup
Weight: 340 gram (12 ounces) including 2 standard AA and CR2032 batteries
Special features: Key-Combination to invert display, SIR infrared (HP JetEye Infrared printer port compatible). RAM can be configured as additional RAMDISK space for saving user files.
Released: March 1995 (1 MB Versions. 2 MB version released February 1997)
Originally retailed for:: 450 USD (1 MB version, the 2 MB Version retailed for 499 USD on release)
Clone of: Not a clone. Software-less model of the 200LX in black.
Similar models: HP 95LX, 100LX, 200LX, Omnigo 700LX

Pros:
- Outstanding battery life
- PCMCIA 2.0 Type 2 slot: Can use flash cards or compact flash (With PCMCIA Adapter)
- Fully CGA compliant, so most CGA based DOS appz and games work

Cons:
- Keyboard extremely small, not comfortable for really typing a lot
- Infrared not fully IrDA compatible
- Among the more expensive HP models
- Really absolutely NO software on ROM.

Collector Value:
4 of 10

Usage Value:
7 of 10

Verdict:
Give it a usability value of 9/10 if you love the tiny keyboard. Why this even features an own internal HP codename is hard to understand. Actually all they did was taking a HP 200LX and deleting all software. Well the ROM is now just 1 MB instead of 3 MB. Together with the licensing cost from Lotus i guess they saved much money. If you can get this cheaper than a 100LX or 200LX and you are sure you never need any of the original ROM software then maybe worth thinking about but otherwise probably the worst choice of any HP Palmtop after the 95LX. Although less useful to the normal user this is a bit more rare than the 100LX and 200LX versions so a tad higher collectors value. Still these are far from being "rare".

Back to the Palmtop PC index