Remember the ZEOS Pocket PC? Perhaps you knew it as the Tidalwave PS-1000. Either way, it was a small clamshell computing device that was first released all the way back in 1992, and perhaps most accurately known as a DOS-based palmtop. Over at [Robert’s Retro] on YouTube, one of these fine devices was put through a repair and a modern upgrade program.
[Robert] educates us on the basics of the machine as he sets about the routine repairs so familiar to anyone in the retrocomputing scene. The first order of business is to clean up the damage to the battery compartment, which had suffered corrosion from leaking AA batteries. We get a solid look inside, and a walk-through on how to modify the device to run off USB-C power. It’s as simple as wiring up a small power module PCB and integrating that into the case, but it’s a neat mod done well—and it makes toying with the device much easier in 2025.
[Robert] has a cause he’s pursuing, though, when it comes to these old palmtops. He’s trying to identify the name of the oddball connectors these things used for the parallel and serial interfaces, and ideally, a source for the same. If you’ve got a tip on that, drop it in the comments.
Funnily enough, these things were cloned like crazy back in the day, so you might even find one under another name in your retro travels. They might be old, but somehow, it’s impossible for a piece of tech to feel old when you’re hooking it up with a USB-C port. We’ve featured [Robert’s] work before, too!
I had an HP-200LX as a kid and man I loved that thing.
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Why todan I can but similar device but with unices or POSIX compatible other system?
Why?!!!!
I can use git trought usb I no need internet, I need good mechanical low profile keyboard.
Obviously, your keyboard worked better 30 years ago.
¿Have you tried clockwork uconsole?
The same 26-contacts connector is used by portable Canon bubble jet printers, BJC series, BJC-50 in particular, for parallel interfacing. And no, I haven’t got the cable with one, unfortunately. Just a fancy brick with an IR port and a charger.
Neat. I have to try it on mine.
I also have Memorex Commuter Computer with totally corroded power socket that I need to replace.
Once you rip out the touchpad, and the hand rest area around it, laptops can be significantly smaller.
Couple that with a banner style (wide) display, and you have a distinctive clamshell shape. Reminds me of the older Sony Vaio series.
A modern version would be nice, but beware of the desire for “more power”. AA batteries wouldn’t cut it as a power source.
The connectors look like SDR, HDR, or VHDCI connectors. All of those are available from multiple connector manufacturers.