It sometimes seems as though computing power in your pocket is a relatively new phenomenon, but in fact there have been ultraportable computers since the 8-bit era. They started to become useful around the end of the 1980s though as enterprising manufacturers started cramming full-fat PC XTs into pocket form factors. Of these the one to own was the Poqet PC, a slim clamshell design that would run for ages on a pair of AA cells . If you have one today you’d be lucky if its display ribbon cable is without faults though, and [Robert’s Retro] is here with a fix previously thought impossible.
A large proportion of the video below the break is devoted to dismantling the unit, no easy task. The cable once exposed is found to have delaminated completely, and he takes us through the delicate task of attaching a modern equivalent. We particularly like the way in which the cable’s own springiness is used to retract it. The result has a white cable rather than the original black, but that’s a small price to pay for a machine that works rather than a broken paperweight.
If early pocket computing is your thing, it’s a subject we’ve covered before.
*cable replacement
I did a similar repair on the Tektronix THS700 series scopes for the keypad.
The flatflex for the keypad is made from conductive ink laminated inbetween layers of plastic, and if one is working on repairing or modding the scope a lot, it can delaminate.
Due to the conductive ink, it’s completely unrepairable, but a new flatflex PCB with gold contacts has it all working perfectly again.
(You’ll find files on my youtube channel, linked through my name).
Hmmm does there exist a modern laptop with this form factor? perhaps with a nub mouse, and a usable keyboard that can fit in the pocket
Nope. Netbooks and then tablets devastated the market.
i was personally wondering if Bluetooth keyboards exist in these dimensions. most of the ones I’ve found are missing rows or have very high mechanical keys.
Not that I know of. There used to be handheld PCs (HPCs) running Windows CE 2.x, I remember.
They exist. They’re called “mini laptops”, 7-8″ screen, same as what this has.
The GPD Pocket series is one example, though I don’t think they have the nub mouse. I’ve seen ones that do though.
You’ll still need a big pocket.
Different class, I’m afraid.
These are like UMPCs, which existed before the netbooks (Asus Eepc, WinCE 5 laptops etc)..
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra-mobile_PC
The form factor of a Handheld PC was closest to a Poqet PC, a Sharp PC‐3000 etc.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handheld_PC
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharp_PC-3000
https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=HP_Jornada&diffonly=true#Jornada_720
Subnotebooks existed, too.
Thinking of the Toshiba Libretto CT50 running Windows 95..
Still fat in comparison to a Poqet or Atari Portfolio, which ran of AA or AAA batteries.
All those links, and you never bothered to look at this: https://www.gpd.hk/gpdpocket3
Gosh. so looks remarkably similar, basically the same size but 5mm thinner, but “nope, totally different”. Well, alright then.
Hm. Maybe. I can’t really make out how big this one is.
Judging by the hands shown though it might be almost twice (or x1,5) as deep as the Poqet or a Windows CE handheld.
Maybe size of a small subnotebook? Anyway, I do like the fact it has a COM port option!
To explain myself, I think the Poqet PC, Atari Portfolio, Sharp PC‐3000 etc were a product of their time.
These miniature DOS computers resembled foldable pocket calculators or electronic organizers (precursors to PDAs) or electronic translators.
These devices were usually being made to be very lightweight, had a monochrome LC display (up to 640×200) and ran off ordinary batteries.
Not too much unlike the programmable credit card sized calculators from the 80s, such as Sharp PC‐1500 (coin cell powered calculator running BASIC).
To a stretch, the original Nokia Communicator from 1996 falls into this category of small handhelds, still. Though it’s a bit too thick already.
The popular Psion Series 3 or 5 also nolonger falls into same category as a Poqet PC. It’s as thick as the gpdpocket3, I assume.
These were like subnotebooks already. Like the Olivetti Quaderno, maybe.
I’m sorry, it’s hard to explain it.
I suppose someone had to live through the 70s‐90s in order to feel how those classis differed from what we have now.
It’s a mixture of technology and aesthetics. A modern PC shoehorned into a small chassis isn’t same thing.
It’s also about how things had been operated. A Poqet PC or Portfolio were business gadgets. PIMs, in 90s speak. Personal Information Managers. They had a link cable, PCMCIA cards and so on.
These were both MS‐DOS computers as well as organizers.
They had their own, distinct personality.
Just like a Skyper was a very special pager.
Installing a cellphone in a brick of a chassis doesn’t make it a pager, it’s not same thing.
Again, it’s hard to explain. At least to me.
Unfortunately – gpd butchers the keyboard. Moving [] and other symbols above the number row automatically makes it very inconvenient to use. If you use any layout other than latin (for example cyrillic) – that turns into a hot mess (there are letters on [ ] / . , keys).
Add here cursor keys located like on modern laptops, and not in “reverse T” configuration, and things get even more unpleasant.
Specs are easy to find.
PoqetPC is 220 x 110 mm x25 mm, 540g.
The GRDPocket 3 is 198 × 137 × 20 mm, 725g
It assume it’s 25mm deeper to fit in the trackpad near the screen. They’re often meant for industrial use to talk to a CNC or something which explains the oddity of having a serial port. Full specs here: https://www.gpd.hk/gpdpocket3techspecs
If you want the trackpoint mouse Levovo had ThinkPads in this format a few years back, but here’s a random generic 7″ Chinese one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96g7WvrNh9g. Can’t be bothered looking up sizes, but looks pretty thick.
Check out GPD computers. I have a GPD P2 Max (2 years old) 16gb ram, 500gb SSD, Touch Screen. Windows 11, or Linux if you like. They call it the worlds smallest Ultrabook. They mostly sell gaming handhelds but this model you may like.
Retro computing is starting to enter the territory of classic cars, lots of work to keep’em running.
True words. But that’s part of the fun, too, I think.
Though tuning doesn’t end with physical damages, maybe. DOS memory managment is a challenge, too.
Fiddling with autoexec.bat, config.sys and UMBs, XMS and EMS is sort of a hobby within the hobby, too. :D
What is this, a computer for ants? (Said in Zoolander voice)
Here’s an article about the Poqet:
http://www.computer-timeline.com/timeline/john-fairbanks/
Oh, this could be useful. I have one of these that I used back in high school to take notes. The screen itself has some damage. Good to know how to work inside of it.