IBM PC Company Creates New Mobile Computing Standard with ThinkPad 750 Series

September 8, 1993 — Raising mobile computing innovation and design to new heights, the IBM Personal Computer Company Wednesday unveiled the ThinkPad(a) 750 series.

In addition to being extremely light weight, the new top-of-the-line ThinkPad notebooks provide full multimedia capabilities and are prepared to support wireless communications, speech recognition and on-screen television. They are also easy to customize for use both on the desktop and on the road.

“The ThinkPad 750 series raises mobile computing to the next generation, improving significantly upon what were already widely regarded as the best mobile solutions available,” said Scott L. Bower, director of Mobile Computing. “Users will find the design of the ThinkPad 750 more natural and intuitive than traditional mobile computer. And as far as premium features go, the 750 series has no peer — it offers the most comprehensive combination of computing, com-munications and entertainment options in any mobile product.”

Desktop Power & Multimedia . . . On-the-Road

Desktop power and integrated multimedia capabilities are the building blocks for the ThinkPad 750 series. Weighing approximately 5.5 pounds (depending on configuration), the notebooks are powered by 486/33SL megahertz (MHz) processors powerful enough to run the most demanding applications, with 170 megabyte (MB) or 340MB hard disk drives and up to 20MB of memory.

To facilitate a variety of multimedia applications ranging from on-the-road presentations to home entertainment, the line features high quality audio. Integrated in each model are a 16-bit stereo audio subsystem and a high-fidelity speak-er, as well as input/output jacks capable of supporting microphones, headphones or portable stereo speakers. An Mwave(a) audio codec (a stereo analog-to-digital converter), integrated on the motherboard, is the heart of this solution.

For a further enhanced mobile multimedia solution, a multimedia-capable portable docking station provides full-motion video, built-in stereo speakers and expansion for mass storage devices, including CD-ROM. With an integrated handle and a weight of only six pounds, the docking station can be carried easily to multimedia presentations. Even with a 750 series notebook locked in place, the total carrying weight is as little as 11.7 pounds.

For those seeking a complete out-of-the-box solution, IBM’s Traveling Multimedia package provides a ThinkPad note-book and docking station preloaded and configured with a broad array of software, a CD-ROM drive and various peripherals.

Future-Ready Design “Packs Like a Briefcase”

ThinkPad 750 models are uniquely simple to upgrade and service. Innovative “pop-up” keyboards provide direct access to removable modular components — hard disk drive, “hot swappable” NiMH battery and 2.88MB floppy disk drive. Below the floppy drive is a DRAM memory card slot.

Even more unique than the units’ design is their ability to integrate innovative new technologies as they become available. Users can now remove the floppy drive to reduce travel weight, and soon — first quarter 1994 — will be able to insert in its place a ThinkPad CDPD (cellular digital packet data) Mobile

Communications module(b) for wireless tele-phone, fax and electronic mail. Within the same timeframe, a ThinkPad TV Tuner module(b) will also be available for this bay, providing on-screen television and VCR playback capabilities. The IBM PC Company has released the specifications for this bay so third parties can develop additional add-in modules for the notebooks.

“The ThinkPad 750 series provides long-term mobile solutions because users can add or substitute technologies as they emerge,” said James D. Bartlett, worldwide product line executive, Mobile Computing. “And interchanging these components is as simple as packing a briefcase.”

Like all ThinkPad products, the ThinkPad 750 series has the added expansion and growth flexibility of industry-standard PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) slots. The units are configured with a Type III slot, capable of housing one Type III or two Type I or II PC cards. The slot meets the latest PCMCIA specifications — Release 2.01, providing version 2.0 card, socket and software services — ensuring compatibility with the latest PC cards.

Natural Selection

The ThinkPad 750 series can be customized by selecting from a variety of screen choices and keyboard or keyboard/pen input.

The 750C, featuring a 10.4-inch, active-matrix color display; the 750Cs, with a 9.5-inch, dual-scan, passive-matrix color display; the 750P, a convertible unit that allows both pen and keyboard input; and the 750, with a monochrome display that is upgradable to either active-matrix color or pen.

Voice input is also possible on all 750 series units when configured with IBM VoiceType Control. Today, basic commands can be performed with this speech recognition software, and more complex input, like dictation, will be possible in the future.

Each 750 series model is among the lightest in its respective full-featured class, and remarkably low travel weight can be achieved by removing the floppy drive module. They also feature outstanding battery life. With its floppy drive removed, the 750 weighs 5.0 pounds and operates up to 12 hours in a typical workday environment; the 750Cs weighs 5.7 pounds with a battery life of up to 8 hours; the 750C weighs 5.9 pounds, also with a battery life of up to 8 hours; and the 750P weighs 6.1 pounds and offers users up to 12 hours of battery life. (With the floppy drive inserted, weights increase by half a pound.)

Like all keyboard-based ThinkPads, 750 series models feature IBM’s highly acclaimed TrackPoint II(a) integrated point-ing device. Centrally situated between the “G,” “H” and “B” keys, this pressure-sensitive innovation provides left and right handers comprehensive cursor control without leaving the typing position.

“People want mobile computing to be as natural and intuitive an experience as possible, and that’s how we approached the ThinkPad 750 series design,” said Mr. Bower. “This design offers a choice of input and displays, and makes access-ing, swapping or upgrading components simple and logical. Of course, exceptional weight and battery life also contribute significantly to the user experience.”

Docking for the Desktop or the Road

ThinkPad 750 models are available with a variety of docking options, making them desktop alternatives in the office as well as multimedia presentation systems on the road.

The ThinkPad Dock I docking station makes ThinkPad 750 notebooks ideal alternatives to desktop PCs. Sleekly de-signed to match the 750 series, it provides a full-size AT(a)-bus card slot and the ability to simultaneously manage up to five internal and external SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) devices. ThinkPad Dock I also replicates all ThinkPad 750 ports, and provides the AC power for the notebook and charges the battery while docked. For mobile multimedia presentations, ThinkPad Dock I also includes integrated stereo speakers and a SCSI bay for an optional CD-ROM drive. The dock’s carrying handle is convenient for more than travel, serving as a palm rest during desktop use.

For individuals interested in network connectivity and cable management, a port replicator with a Type III PCMCIA slot is available. For those simply looking for quick peripheral connection and disconnection, a model without PCMCIA is also available.

Personal Amenities

Adding a final distinctive touch to the new ThinkPad series, all four models can be personalized with an individual’s or business’s name on an engraved metallic nameplate. There is no charge for this personalization, and a choice of three type styles is offered.
Also included with each unit is a value booklet, “Thank You’s from ThinkPad,” offering a wide range of business services and products for the mobile professional. The redemption value of the offers in the booklet total approximately $4,000.

At Your Service

All IBM ThinkPad 750 series mobile computers are covered by a three-year warranty, international traveler’s repair service and, in the U.S., by convenient ThinkPad EasyServ send-in service (free of shipping charges) as well as carry-in repair service. Optional on-site “where you are” repair service is also available ($40/year), and all products come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. The IBM HelpCenter is available to ThinkPad users 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week via toll-free phone, fax or electronic bulletin boards.

IBM PC Direct catalog pricing for the ThinkPad 750 series begins at $3,199. (See attached sheet for detailed pricing and availability.) ThinkPad 750 series products come standard with 4MB of memory and are preloaded with IBM DOS 6.1 and Prodigy. The 750P comes with DOS 6.1, PenDOS, Microsoft Windows(c)3.1, Windows for Pen Computing(d)1.0 and Prodigy.

The Mobile Computing group of the IBM PC Company is dedicated to providing innovative and convenient access to and management of information — anytime, anyplace.

Headquartered in Somers, N.Y., the IBM PC Company is the industry’s leading vendor of personal computers. IBM introduced the first PC to use the Intel microprocessor in August 1981 and helped to spawn the multibillion-dollar personal computer industry. Today, the company develops, manufactures, markets and distributes a variety of PCs — from subnotebooks to high-end servers — in more than 140 countries worldwide. (a) Trademark or registered trademark of the International Business Machines Corporation. (b) Availability pending FCC approval. (c) Trademark of the Microsoft Corporation. (d) Trademark or registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

CONTACT:
IBM, Somers
Jonathan Gandal, (914) 766-1425
or Michael Reiter (914) 766-1898