 | |
| Manufacturer | |
|---|---|
| Type | Notebook computer |
| Release date | October 5, 1992; 33 years ago (1992-10-05) |
| Introductory price | |
| Operating system | |
| CPU |
|
| Memory | 4-16 MB |
| Graphics | Western Digital WD90C26 |
| Weight | Up to 7.6 lb (3.4 kg) |
| Successor | IBM ThinkPad 720 |
TheIBM ThinkPad 700 (also namedmodel 700 PS/2) is the firstnotebook computer for theThinkPad brand that was released byIBM on October 5, 1992. Another series was released alongside it, the ThinkPad 300 series. The 300 series was meant to be a cheaper, lower performance model line over the 700. It was developed as a successor to theL40SX.
The ThinkPad 700 is the first laptop model ever with apointing stick to control thecursor, under the IBM brand name ofTrackPoint.[3]
It was generally received positively by reviewers, although it had a high price and shorter battery life.
| External videos | |
|---|---|
 The ThinkPad That Started It All 700c (1992) on YouTube(75 seconds) |
Because of design issues with theL40SX, the next iteration of IBM laptops were going to involve industrial designerRichard Sapper.[4] Richard designed the ThinkPad 700, being inspired from a rectangular cigar box, and kept it simplistic.[5]
Before the announcement of the 700 series, it has been speculated that the 700 and 700T would be manufactured byAST Research, Inc.[6]
The first IBM ThinkPads, the 700 and 700C, were launched on October 5, 1992, alongside the 300 series.[7]
The IBM 2521 (IBM 700T) was announced on April 17, 1992 and launched in July 1993. It was marketed as a data entry tablet for hospitals, health care providers, and field operation workers.[8]
The ThinkPad 700C uses a color screen made by the joint ventureDisplay Technologies, Inc.[9] It was the largest active matrix display in a laptop when it was released.[10]
PresidentGeorge H. W. Bush wanted to buy a ThinkPad 700C as aChristmas present for his wifeBarbara Bush when it was released. It was sold out, so he called then IBM CEOJohn Akers. Akers reached out to the general manager of IBM's PC division, Jim Cannavino, who took the next ThinkPad from the assembly line and shipped it to theWhite House.[4]
Both the 700 and 700C were based on the 25MHzIBM 486SLC processor with 4 MB of memory, and had a nickel metal hydride battery that was claimed by IBM to last almost 4 hours. The 700 had the option of an 80 or 120 MB hard disk size, and a 9.5" 640 × 480 monochrome screen. The 700C had a standard 120 MB hard disk size, and 4, 8 or 16 MB memory options. It also had a 10.4" 640 × 480active-matrix color screen. Both the 700 and 700C came withPC DOS 5.02 andProdigy, an internet service. Other features both included were a modem, serial, VGA, and parallel ports, port replicator, docking station connector, and built in 3 1/2" 1.44 MB floppy disk drive.[7]
Both the 700 and 700C came in a standard black color, but a less-known "IBM-Beige" color was available. Additionally, later on a 50MHz processor upgrade was offered by IBM for the 700 and 700C, giving it better performance.[9]
The 700T was a portable pen-operated tablet that had a 20MHz Intel 386SX, 4 or 8 MB of memory, a 10 in 640 × 480 monochrome screen, and also very uncommon for its time, had a 20 MBsolid state drive instead of a hard drive for storage. The 700T used an operating system created byGo Corporation known asPenPoint OS. Other features of the 700T had been a built-in 2.4 KB/s modem, a serial, parallel, external floppy drive, and keyboard connector.[7]
The 700 was the base model, being considerably cheaper than the premium 700C at $2,750 vs $4,350 for the 700C. The 700T was renamed from IBM 2521 so that it was a name fit with the 700 and 700C.
| 700[nb 1] | 700C[nb 1] | 700T | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 9.5" 640x480 Monochrome STN | 10.4" 640x480 ColorTFT | 10" 640x480 Monochrome STN |
| Storage | 80 or 120 MB HDD | 120 MB HDD | 20 MB SSD |
| CPU | IBM 486SLC @ 25 MHz | Intel 80386SX @ 20 MHz | |
| Memory (RAM) | 4-16 MB | 4-8 MB | |
| Video Controller | WD90C26 | ||
| Audio Controller | None | ||
| Operating System | PC DOS 5.0, PenPoint, IBM OS/2 2.0, Windows 3.1x | ||
The 700 and 700C were given good reception, being called "the finest notebooks on the market"[12] byPC Magazine which also complimented its design by saying "After years of undistinguished portables, IBM has finally got it right"[9] and a review byBYTE Magazine said "The IBM ThinkPad 700C notebook wins the award for the most innovative design".[13]PC Computing gave its annual "most valuable product" to the ThinkPad 700C, describing it as "a clear standout by its combination of speed, beauty, hard-nosed practicality, and, yes, grace".
The 700C was given an 8.0 rating in a review byInfoWorld, and many of the praise went to the 700C's active matrix color display which was said to have rich, bright colors and crisp text, and was bigger and better than competitors. The keyboard was also given good reviews, saying it is solid feeling and has quick responsiveness.[14]
A 700C review fromComputerworld noted that the implementation of theAdvanced Power Management 1.0 specification byMicrosoft resulted in a long battery life.[15]
The only cons given about the 700 series by some reviews was the increased weight and size, along with the more expensive price tag and lower battery life.[13][14]
| Preceded by | IBM ThinkPad 700 | Succeeded by ThinkPad 720 |