IBM ThinkPad 700

The IBM ThinkPad 700 (also named model 700 PS/2) is the first notebook computer for the ThinkPad brand that was released by IBM on October 5, 1992. Another series was released alongside it, the ThinkPad 300 series. The 300 series was meant to be a cheaper, lower performance model line over the 700. It was developed as a successor to the L40SX.

IBM Thinkpad 700
An IBM ThinkPad 700C with Microsoft Solitaire open
Manufacturer
IBM
TypeNotebook Computer
Release dateOctober 5, 1992 (1992-10-05)
Introductory priceStarting at US$2,750 (equivalent to $5,700 in 2022)
Operating system
CPU
Intel 80386SX @ 20 MHz (700T)

IBM 486SLC @ 25 MHz (700/700C)

Memory4-16 MB
GraphicsWestern Digital WD90C26
MassUp to 7.6 lb (3.4 kg)
SuccessorIBM ThinkPad 720

It was generally received positively by reviewers, although it had a high price and shorter battery life.

History
External video
video icon The ThinkPad That Started It All 700c (1992) on YouTube (75 seconds)

Because of design issues with the L40SX, the next iteration of IBM laptops were going to involve industrial designer Richard Sapper.[1] Richard designed the ThinkPad 700, being inspired from a rectangular cigar box, and kept it simplistic.[2]

Before the announcement of the 700 series, it has been speculated that the 700 and 700T would be manufactured by AST Research, Inc.[3]

The first IBM ThinkPads, the 700 and 700C, were launched on October 5, 1992, alongside the 300 series.[4]

The IBM 2521 (IBM 700T) was announced on April 17, 1992 and launched in July 1993. It was marketed as a data entry tablet for hospitals, health care providers, and field operation workers.[5]

The ThinkPad 700C uses a color screen made by the joint venture Display Technologies, Inc.[6] It was the largest active matrix display in a laptop when it was released.[7]

President George H. W. Bush wanted to buy a ThinkPad 700C as a Christmas present for his wife Barbara Bush when it was released. It was sold out, so he called then IBM CEO John Akers. Akers reached out to the general manager of IBM's PC division Jim Cannavino, who took the next ThinkPad from the assembly line and shipped it to the White House.[1]

Features and models

Both the 700 and 700C were based on the 25MHz IBM 486SLC processor with 4 MB of memory, and had a nickel metal hydride battery that was claimed by IBM to last almost 4 hours. The 700 had the option of a 80 or 120 MB hard disk size, and a 9.5in 640 x 480 monochrome screen. The 700C had a standard 120 MB hard disk size, and 4, 8 or 16 MB memory options. It also had a 10.4in 640 x 480 active-matrix color screen. Both the 700 and 700C came with PC DOS 5.02 and Prodigy, an internet service. Other features both included were a modem, serial, VGA, and parallel ports, port replicator, docking station connector, and built in 3 1/2" 1.44 MB floppy disk drive.[4]

An IBM ThinkPad 720C in "IBM-Beige" color

Both the 700 and 700C came in a standard black color, but a less-known "IBM-Beige" color was available. Additionally later on a 50MHz processor upgrade was offered by IBM for the 700 and 700C, giving it better performance.[8]

The 700T was a portable pen-operated tablet that had a 20MHz Intel 386SX, 4 or 8 MB of memory, a 10 in 640 x 480 monochrome screen, and also very uncommon for its time, had a 20 MB solid state drive instead of a hard drive for storage. The 700T used an operating system created by Go Corporation known as PenPoint OS. Other features the 700T had was a built in 2.4kbit/s modem, a serial, parallel, external floppy drive, and keyboard connector.[4]

The 700 was the base model, being considerably cheaper than the premium 700C at $2,750 vs $4,350 for the 700C. The 700T was renamed from IBM 2521 so that it was a name fit with the 700 and 700C.

700[nb 1]700C[nb 1]700T
Display9.5in 640x480 Monochrome STN10.4in 640x480 Color TFT10in 640x480 Monochrome STN
Disk80 or 120 MB HDD120 MB HDD20 MB SSD
CPUIBM 486SLC @ 25 MHzIntel 80386SX @ 20 MHz
RAM4-16 MB4-8 MB
Video Controller WD90C26
Audio Controller None

Reception

The 700 and 700C were given good reception, being called "the finest notebooks on the market"[10] by PC Magazine which also complimented its design by saying "After years of un-distinguished portables, IBM has finally gotten it right"[8] and a review by BYTE Magazine said "The IBM ThinkPad 700C notebook wins the award for the most innovative design".[11] PC Computing gave its annual "most valuable product" to the ThinkPad 700C, describing it as "a clear standout by its combination of speed, beauty, hard-nosed practicality, and, yes, grace".

The 700C was given a 8.0 rating in a review by InfoWorld, and many of the praise went to the 700C's active matrix color display which was said to have rich, bright colors and crisp text, and was bigger and better than competitors. The keyboard was also given good reviews, saying it is solid feeling and has quick responsiveness.[12]

A 700C review from Computerworld noted that the implementation of the Advanced Power Management 1.0 specification by Microsoft resulted in a long battery life.[13]

The only cons given about the 700 series by some reviews was the increased weight and size, along with the more expensive price tag and lower battery life.[11][12]

See also

Notes
  1. Even though the 700 and 700C notebooks are part of the ThinkPad series, they were labeled as 700 PS/2 and 700C PS/2.[9]

References
  1. Naitoh, Arimasa (2017). How the ThinkPad changed the world: and is shaping the future. William J. Holstein. New York. ISBN 978-1-5107-2500-3. OCLC 992973085.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  2. "ThinkPad 700C". Richard Sapper.
  3. Fitzgerald, Michael (12 October 1992). "Latest IBM notebooks outdo predecessors". Computerworld. p. 8.
  4. "The IBM ThinkPad: 15 years old today". The Register. 19 July 2007. Archived from the original on 18 May 2021.
  5. "Apple Newton, Compaq, Early IBM ThinkPads Launched Tablet Revolution". eWEEK. 2010-06-15. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
  6. J. Ross, Matthew (1992-12-22). Screen Gem: IBM Comes Up With a Notebook Winner. Ziff Davis, Inc. p. 44.
  7. "ThinkPad 700C". The Palm Beach Post. 1992-10-06. p. 31. Retrieved 2021-08-02.
  8. PC Mag. IDG. 1992. p. 44.
  9. "IBM Announcement Letter No. ZG92-0342 dated October 06, 1992". www-01.ibm.com. 1993-04-20. Retrieved 2021-06-25.
  10. PC Mag. IDG. 1993. p. 191.
  11. BYTE Magazine. UBM Technology Group. 1993. p. 72.
  12. InfoWorld. IDG. 1992. p. 85.
  13. "IBM ThinkPad 700C PS/2 - idealny notebook dla Windows". Computerworld (in Polish). Retrieved 2021-05-06.
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