DOS Palmtop: Poqet Pad Classic Details and specs

Poqet Pad (Fujitsu PQ XXX PoqetPad)

About this machine:

The Poqet Pad is simply a "keyboardless" version of the Poqet PC. Instead of a keyboard it features a touchscreen display. Otherwise it obviously also differs in size and shape - the classic hinge style design was dropped in favor of a slate style - which would later become popular for tablet PCs. Actually the Poqet Pad is Fujitsus first tablet PC and thus among the very first ones. It features PCMCIA Type II slots - but unfortunately Revision 1.0 so Flash cards can only be used "read only" if they work at all.

Specs:

CPU: 80C88 @ 7 MHz
Graphics: Monochrome CGA, 80 x 25 character MDA text mode, CGA 2 color monochrome graphics mode
Display: Touchscreen 640 x 200 monochrome DSTN , 4 grey scales, 4.8 inch
Memory (RAM): 640 KB
ROM (Software): 1 MB
I/O ports: 2 x Type II PCMCIA 1.0 slots, Proprietary expansion connector port (Serial, parallel, Floppy drive etc can be connected through this)
Sound: PC Speaker - Piezo
Operating System: MS-DOS 3.3
Software: Nestor Writer Handprint recognition, Nestor PenShell Api, Mouse emulation
Size: Length 11.7 cm, Width 24.5 cm, Height 3.2 cm (4.59 inches x 9.65 inches x 1.26 inch)
Powered by: 2 AA batteries or AC adaptor (optional accessory), CR2032 Lithium button cell as memory backup
Weight: 560 gram (1.2 lb) including 2 standard AA and CR2032 batteries
Special features: RAM can be configured as additional RAMDISK space for saving user files. Touchscreen.
Released: August 18th, 1991 (January 1992 by some other source)
Originally retailed for:: 1995 USD
Clone of: Not a clone.
Similar models: PoqetPad Plus

Pros:
- Outstanding battery life
- Fully CGA compliant, so in theory apps/games will run, but questionable how well they work with a touchscreen.
- Touchscreen

Cons:
- Performs rather slow
- Low RAM, even less if you use a RAMdisk
- Not much useful software on ROM
- PCMCIA Type 1 slot only accepts obscure SRAM memory cards and a few rare modems
- Obscure proprietary connector, so serail and parallel ports are unusable without adaptor

Collector Value:
9 of 10

Usage Value:
4 of 10

Verdict:
Really rare. If you love touchscreen devices you can raise the usability score to 10/10. However - 20 years ago or today - most people would probably find a real physical keyboard more comfortable than a virtual one on the touchscreen. Especially applications that heavily rely on keyboard input suffer from this as obviously you can only see the full screen OR the keyboard. While all ipad and similar tablet applications are "programmed around" this problem, at least addressing and considering it not all of the applications available in like 1991 were really enjoyable using this. If you find the Poqet Pad useful or not depends heavily on what applications you use on it.

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