Editing IBM Portable Personal Computer (section)

==Design==
The Portable was basically a [[IBM Personal Computer XT|PC/XT]] motherboard, transplanted into a Compaq-style luggable case. The system featured 256 [[kilobyte]]s of memory (expandable to 640&nbsp;KB), an added [[Color Graphics Adapter|CGA]] card connected to an internal monochrome amber [[composite monitor]], and one or two half-height {{frac|5|1|4}}-inch 360&nbsp;KB [[floppy disk]] drives, manufactured by Qume. Unlike the Compaq Portable, which used a dual-mode monitor and special display card, IBM used a stock CGA card and a 9-inch amber monochrome composite monitor, which had lower resolution. It could, however, display color if connected to an external monitor or television. A separate 83-key keyboard and cable was provided, which uses a front panel mounted phone jack styled connector [[RJ11]]. The cable from the connector then went to the back of the machine, where the original XT keyboard jack was.

Experts {{Who|date=April 2024}} stated that IBM developed the Portable in part because its sales force needed a computer that would compete against the Compaq Portable.<ref name="rosenberg19840228">{{Cite news |title=Doubts Raised About PCjr |last=Rosenberg |first=Ronald |date=1984-02-28 |work=The Boston Globe}}</ref> If less sophisticated than the Compaq, the IBM had the advantage of a lower price tag. The motherboard had eight expansion slots. The power supply was rated 114 watts and was suitable for operation on either 115 or 230 VAC.<ref name=MUELLER2ND> Scott Mueller, ''Upgrading and Repairing PCs, Second Edition'', Que, 1992 {{ISBN|0-88022-856-3}} pp. 76–81</ref> Hard disks were a very common third-party add-on as IBM did not offer them from the factory.<ref name=MUELLER2ND/>  Typically in a two-drive context, floppy drive A: ran the operating system, and drive B: would be used for application and data diskettes.  

Its selling point as a "portable" was that it combined the monitor into a base unit approximating a medium-sized suitcase that could be simply set on its flat side, the back panel slid away to reveal the power connector, plugged in, the keyboard folded down or detached, and booted up for use, though printers at the time, if needed, still tended to be less "portable". At thirty pounds, it may have been difficult to carry for some, and was often referred to as "luggable".