IBM 5110
Encyclopedia
The IBM 5110 Computing System was the successor of the IBM 5100
Portable Computer.
Three variations of the IBM 5110 were built:
The IBM 5110 was announced in January 1978 (3 years after the introduction of the IBM 5100). Its main differences were support for more I/O devices (floppy disk drives, IEEE-488
, RS232, ...) and a character set (EBCDIC) which was compatible with other IBM
machines. These improvements made it partially incompatible with the IBM 5100.
The 5110 featured the same housing as the 5100 (although the colors were different), which contained a central processing unit
, a keyboard
and a 1,024-character display screen
. Main memory held 16, 32, 48 or 64 KiB of data
, depending on the unit. Offering either magnetic tape
or diskette
storage, the Model 1 could store as much as 204,000 bytes of information per tape cartridge or 1.2 million bytes on a single diskette; the Model 2 allowed only diskette storage. Up to two IBM 5114 diskette units, each housing a maximum of two diskette drives, could be attached to the 5110 for a total online diskette capacity of 4.8 million bytes. The IBM 5110 Model 3 allowed only one external IBM 5114 diskette unit.
An IBM 5103 printer and an external IBM 5106 auxiliary tape unit (Model 1 only) were available as options. Other computer data storage products were available from Core International, Inc
for these machines.
Citing the easy use of his new system, Jeff Grube, vice president of Punxsutawney Electric Repair (who received the first IBM 5110 on February 2, 1978), said: "If you can type and use a hand-held calculator, you have all the skills necessary to operate a 5110."
or BASIC—or both—programming languages. Machines that supported both languages provided a toggle switch on the front panel to select the language.
In 1983, Core International, Inc
introduced PC51, software that allowed 5100 Series computer programs written in BASIC to run unmodified on the IBM PC
and compatibles
under MS DOS.
. As a business system, it came bundled with accounting software for a small business.
Computing System) was the desktop
version of the 5110.
The 5110 was withdrawn from marketing in March 1982.
IBM 5100
The IBM 5100 Portable Computer was a portable computer introduced in September 1975, six years before the IBM PC. It was the evolution of a prototype called the SCAMP that was developed at the IBM Palo Alto Scientific Center in 1973. In January 1978 IBM announced the IBM 5110, its larger cousin,...
Portable Computer.
Three variations of the IBM 5110 were built:
- IBM 5110 Model 1 (with a built-in QIC DC300 tape drive of 204 kB).
- IBM 5110 Model 2 (without the QIC tape drive).
- IBM 5110 Model 3 - also designated as the IBM 5120IBM 5120The IBM 5120 Computing System was announced in February 1980 as the desktop follow-on to the IBM 5110 Computing System...
(with two built-in 8 inch 1.2 MBMegabyteThe megabyte is a multiple of the unit byte for digital information storage or transmission with two different values depending on context: bytes generally for computer memory; and one million bytes generally for computer storage. The IEEE Standards Board has decided that "Mega will mean 1 000...
floppy diskFloppy diskA floppy disk is a disk storage medium composed of a disk of thin and flexible magnetic storage medium, sealed in a rectangular plastic carrier lined with fabric that removes dust particles...
drives).
The IBM 5110 was announced in January 1978 (3 years after the introduction of the IBM 5100). Its main differences were support for more I/O devices (floppy disk drives, IEEE-488
IEEE-488
IEEE-488 is a short-range digital communications bus specification. It was created for use with automated test equipment in the late 1960s, and is still in use for that purpose. IEEE-488 was created as HP-IB , and is commonly called GPIB...
, RS232, ...) and a character set (EBCDIC) which was compatible with other IBM
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
machines. These improvements made it partially incompatible with the IBM 5100.
The 5110 featured the same housing as the 5100 (although the colors were different), which contained a central processing unit
Central processing unit
The central processing unit is the portion of a computer system that carries out the instructions of a computer program, to perform the basic arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations of the system. The CPU plays a role somewhat analogous to the brain in the computer. The term has been in...
, a keyboard
Computer keyboard
In computing, a keyboard is a typewriter-style keyboard, which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys, to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches...
and a 1,024-character display screen
Computer display
A monitor or display is an electronic visual display for computers. The monitor comprises the display device, circuitry, and an enclosure...
. Main memory held 16, 32, 48 or 64 KiB of data
Data
The term data refers to qualitative or quantitative attributes of a variable or set of variables. Data are typically the results of measurements and can be the basis of graphs, images, or observations of a set of variables. Data are often viewed as the lowest level of abstraction from which...
, depending on the unit. Offering either magnetic tape
Magnetic tape
Magnetic tape is a medium for magnetic recording, made of a thin magnetizable coating on a long, narrow strip of plastic. It was developed in Germany, based on magnetic wire recording. Devices that record and play back audio and video using magnetic tape are tape recorders and video tape recorders...
or diskette
Floppy disk
A floppy disk is a disk storage medium composed of a disk of thin and flexible magnetic storage medium, sealed in a rectangular plastic carrier lined with fabric that removes dust particles...
storage, the Model 1 could store as much as 204,000 bytes of information per tape cartridge or 1.2 million bytes on a single diskette; the Model 2 allowed only diskette storage. Up to two IBM 5114 diskette units, each housing a maximum of two diskette drives, could be attached to the 5110 for a total online diskette capacity of 4.8 million bytes. The IBM 5110 Model 3 allowed only one external IBM 5114 diskette unit.
An IBM 5103 printer and an external IBM 5106 auxiliary tape unit (Model 1 only) were available as options. Other computer data storage products were available from Core International, Inc
Core International, Inc
Core International, Inc. commonly known as Core, was a multinational computer and technology corporation head-quartered in Boca Raton, Florida, United States....
for these machines.
Citing the easy use of his new system, Jeff Grube, vice president of Punxsutawney Electric Repair (who received the first IBM 5110 on February 2, 1978), said: "If you can type and use a hand-held calculator, you have all the skills necessary to operate a 5110."
Programming languages
The 5110 was available with either APLAPL programming language
APL is an interactive array-oriented language and integrated development environment, which is available from a number of commercial and noncommercial vendors and for most computer platforms. It is based on a mathematical notation developed by Kenneth E...
or BASIC—or both—programming languages. Machines that supported both languages provided a toggle switch on the front panel to select the language.
In 1983, Core International, Inc
Core International, Inc
Core International, Inc. commonly known as Core, was a multinational computer and technology corporation head-quartered in Boca Raton, Florida, United States....
introduced PC51, software that allowed 5100 Series computer programs written in BASIC to run unmodified on the IBM PC
IBM PC
The IBM Personal Computer, commonly known as the IBM PC, is the original version and progenitor of the IBM PC compatible hardware platform. It is IBM model number 5150, and was introduced on August 12, 1981...
and compatibles
IBM PC compatible
IBM PC compatible computers are those generally similar to the original IBM PC, XT, and AT. Such computers used to be referred to as PC clones, or IBM clones since they almost exactly duplicated all the significant features of the PC architecture, facilitated by various manufacturers' ability to...
under MS DOS.
5110 Software
The 5110, designed by the Global Software Development team at Rochester, was aimed fairly and squarely at GSD's traditional commercial market. Perhaps the most significant factor was that this machine took only 90 days from conception to production. It achieved this short timescale under the management of Bill Synes, who - as a member of Bill Lowe's taskforce - later did much the same for the IBM PCIBM PC
The IBM Personal Computer, commonly known as the IBM PC, is the original version and progenitor of the IBM PC compatible hardware platform. It is IBM model number 5150, and was introduced on August 12, 1981...
. As a business system, it came bundled with accounting software for a small business.
Model 3
The IBM 5110 Model 3 (also known as the IBM 5120IBM 5120
The IBM 5120 Computing System was announced in February 1980 as the desktop follow-on to the IBM 5110 Computing System...
Computing System) was the desktop
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
version of the 5110.
The 5110 was withdrawn from marketing in March 1982.