IBM PC Convertible
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| Branding | IBM |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Alps (keyboard) |
| Keyswitches |
Alps SKCM Brown Alps SKCL Compact[1] |
| Keycaps | Dye sublimated PBT[1][2] |
| Introduced | 1986 |
The IBM PC Convertible (model number: 5140), introduced in 1986, was one of the first commercially available portable computers. The "convertible" part of the name refers to how a user can detach the LCD screen and plug in a discrete EGA (640×200px) color monitor.[3]
The Fn key was introduced in the keyboard of the IBM PC Convertible.[4] It helped compensate for the compact size of the keyboard and the device's physical lack of F11 and F12 keys.
Like many keyboards of the era, the IBM PC Convertible was criticized for introducing a new layout for users to re-learn.[4] The layout was also unlike its non-portable counterparts. However, it was praised for being an improved typing experience over competing portable computers.[5]
The keyboard has 20 Alps SKCL Compact switches and 58 Alps SKCM Brown switches.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 rzwv — IBM 5140 Convertible (Japanese) (Wayback Machine) Dated 2012-13-10. Archived 2013-02-02.
- ↑ Deskthority — IBM 5140 "Convertible" conversion Posted 2015-01-17. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ↑ curtamania.com — IBM PC Convertible 5140 Last updated 2022-06-09. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 InfoWorld — IBM PC Convertible: Sturdy, No Surprises by Phil Casella. (Google Books) Dated 1986-08-18. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ↑ Los Angeles Times — Comparing Toshiba and IBM's New Laptops by Richard O'Reilly. Dated 1986-06-09. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
