DOS Palmtop: Poqet PC Plus Details and specs
Poqet PC Plus (Fujitsu Poqet PC Plus)
About this machine:
The Poqet PC Plus is the last answer of Fujitsu to the palmtop pc market. While it could improve most features of the original Poqet and even
added a backlit display it is rather weak compared to the HP software, size and weight. Also the rechargable battery pack proved as a rather
bad decision as on the one side you can no longer use AA batteries that are available everywhere, the capacity of the battery pack is also
lower than current AA batteries from the supermarket. Otherwise they have added a much faster processor, a more modern DOS, less software and
more RAM. Noteworthy the later model (regarding the serial number) perform much better than the earlier ones in benchmarks, this is probably related to
improved power management in the later machines. the PCMCIA slot is Type II but not fully compliant so some flash cards and many modems will not work.
What really puzzles me is the total lack of software. I mean there is some barcode scanner app on it which probably noone reading this will ever need, there is
some kind of communications software for antique modems and that's it. I mean hey, at least SOME basic PIM software would have been nice. A calendar, a phone book, SOMETHING!
Specs:
CPU: NEC V30 @ 16 MHz
Graphics: Monochrome CGA, 80 x 25 character MDA text mode, CGA 2 color monochrome graphics mode
Display: Backlit 640 x 200 transreflective LCD , 4 grey scales, 7.25 inch
Memory (RAM): 2 MB
ROM (Software): 768 KB
I/O ports: 2 x PCMCIA 2.0 Type II slots, 2 x TTL serial (Both proprietary connector)
Sound: PC Speaker - Piezo
Operating System: MS-DOS 5.0
Software: EMS driver, RAM Disk driver, Flash utility, barcode reader, PenConnect serial communications software, PCMCIA driver
Size: Length 13cm, Width 23cm, Height 3.6cm (5.12 inches x 9.05 inches x 1.42 inch)
Powered by: Rechargable battery pack or AC adaptor (optional accessory), CR2032 Lithium button cell as memory backup
Weight: 700 gram (1.83 lb) including 2 standard AA and CR2032 batteries
Special features: RAM can be configured as additional RAMDISK space for saving user files. Backlit display!
Released: May 1993
Originally retailed for:: 1,095 USD
Clone of: Not a clone. Successor of the Poqet PC prime.
Similar models: Poqet PC Classic, Poqet PC Prime, PoqetPad, PoqetPad Plus
Pros:
- Fully CGA compliant, so most CGA based DOS appz and games work
- Large keyboard
- Backlit display
- PCMCIA Type II slot, so many PCMCIA devices can be used.
- Fast processor
Cons:
- Basically no software at all on the ROM
- Short battery life
- Proprietary rechargable battery
Collector Value:
7 of 10
Usage Value:
7 of 10
Verdict:
Give it a usability value of 10/10 if you have a custom battery or don't care about battery life. This would probably one of the best palmtops
if there wasn't the proprietary rechargable battery which didn't hold much charge initially and after the years obviously performs even worse.
The backlit display is just gorgeous even though it admittedly helps draining the battery much faster (You can turn the illumination off though).
The speed of this machine is among the best of any palmtop - only very few models are faster. I just wish it was made with the excellence of HP's
palmtops which just feature more intelligent and better to use built-in software and settings.
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