DOS Palmtop: Instant Tech PTP-20 Details and specs

Instant Tech PTP-20 (Group Sense Limited Instant Tech PTP-20)

About this machine:

The Instant Tech PTP-20 is one of the few unique Palmtop PCs. Although you probably never heard of Group Sense Limited or Instant tech before this is an original design and not a cheap Taiwanese OEM product. The small size and technical features make this palmtop stand out of the competition. Only the HP LX series is a bit smaller but thicker, at 20 mm this palmtop is really thin. The BIOS/Settings is pretty nice, it lets you configure everything important and also can invert the screen. The included PIM software is very basic. Suprisingly - unlike many companies of the Palmtop craze - Group Sense Limited still exists as of today and while they don't manufacture palmtop PCs any longer they have a halfway successful series of palmtop Translators called "Instant Dict".

Specs:

CPU: V20 @ 14 MHz
Graphics: Monochrome CGA, 80 x 25 character text mode, CGA 2 color monochrome graphics mode
Display: 640 x 200 monochrome Supertwist LCD
Memory (RAM): 2 MB
ROM (Software): 1 MB
I/O ports: RS232 Serial (proprietary 10 pin cable was included accessory), PCMCIA 2.0 Type 2 slot, Parallel port (proprietary 20 pin cable included)
Sound: PC Speaker - Piezo
Operating System: MS-DOS 5.0
Software: Good setup utility but weak PIM software.
Size: Length 9.8 cm, Width 17.5 cm, Height 2.0 cm (3.9 inches x 6.9 inches x 0.8 inch)
Powered by: 2 AA batteries - rechargable or non-rechargable or AC adaptor (optional accessory)
Weight: 350 gram
Special features: BIOS Option to invert display. Indicators for drive activity.
Released: July 1994
Originally retailed for:: Unknown (But probably around 500 USD estimated)
Clone of: Not a clone.
Similar models: HP 200LX

Pros:
- PCMCIA 2.0 Type 2 slot, so pretty much all cards work
- Fully CGA compliant, so most CGA based DOS appz and games work
- One of the "faster" palmtops

Cons:
- Proprietary cables again
- Only one PCMCIA slot

Collector Value:
9 of 10

Usage Value:
9 of 10

Verdict:
Definitely one of my favorites. If it just had 2 PCMCIA slots it would be by far the best palmtop. Also a very rare collectable and one of the few that are truly "close" to fit into a pocket.

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