IBM ThinkPad 360

Last updated
IBM Thinkpad 360
IBM ThinkPad logo askew badge.svg
IBM Thinkpad 360CE (1).jpg
IBM Thinkpad 360CE
Manufacturer IBM
TypeNotebook Computer
Release dateMay 1994;29 years ago (1994-05)
Introductory priceStarting at US$2,099(equivalent to $4,315 in 2023)
DiscontinuedJune 1996;27 years ago (1996-06)
Operating system
All

P/PE

  • PenDOS 2.2
CPU
360/C/CS/P

CSE/CE/PE

Memory4–20 MB
Display
360
  • 9.5" DSTN 640x480 Mono

CS/P/CSE/PE

  • 9.5" DSTN 640x480 Color

C/CE

  • 8.4" TFT 640x480 Color

The IBM ThinkPad 360 series was a notebook computer series introduced in 1994 by IBM as part of their ThinkPad laptop series. It was succeeded in late 1995 by the IBM ThinkPad 365 series.

Contents

History

On October 17, 1994, the ThinkPad 360 CE and CSE were released. Both had a Intel 486DX-2 50 MHz processor, 4 MB of memory, a 1.44 MB floppy disk drive, and a 250, 340, 540, or 810 MB hard disk drive with PC DOS 6.0/Windows 3.1 and various included software. Both units came with a Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery pack that could last 2.9 hours in a CSE and 3.2 hours in a CE, while only taking 1.5 hours to charge. Both the CE and CSE were mainly the same in terms of specifications, with the only notable difference of a 9.5in 640x480 DSTN screen for the CSE and a 8.4in 640x480 TFT screen for the CE. It cost between $2,649 and $4,199 for a unit depending on the configuration. [1]

Many of the models in the 360 series were discontinued by IBM on December 21, 1995. This included the CS, C, P, CSE, and CE. [2]

Features

Most models in the 360 series shipped with IBM PC DOS 6.3 and Windows 3.11 as the included operating system, while some such as the 360P and PE shipped with DOS 6.21 and PenDOS 2.2.

All models in the series featured an Intel 486SX or DX2 processor running at 33 to 50 MHz, and a WD90C24A2 or WD90C24 video controller with 1 MB of video memory. A standard of 4 MB RAM was installed, which was soldered onto the motherboard. The ram could be upgraded to up to 20 MB in total if the user had a IC DRAM Card, which goes into a slot under the floppy disk drive.

The standard hard drive size was 170 or 340 MB, later adding the option to 540 MB. All models in the series had a 1.44 MB floppy disk drive in an ultrabay.

Two notable models in the series, the 360P and 360PE, featured a pen touch display, which could also fold back and down to close like a tablet.

Models

IBM ThinkPad 360 — One of the first models in the series, it introduced a Intel 486SX processor running at 33 MHz. It had 4 MB of ram, which could only be upgraded to a maximum of 20 MB with a IC DRAM Card. It featured a 9.5-inch monochrome screen, and could hold a battery charge up to 10 hours. Other features included: 170 or 340 MB hard drive options, a 3.5-inch 1.44 MB removable floppy drive, Trackpoint II pointing device, and 1 Type III or 2 Type II or 2 Type I PCMIA slots. [3]

IBM ThinkPad 360C — Released the same time as the 360, the 360C model was basically identical to the 360 but with a 8.5-inch TFT color screen, and a decrease to 5 hours of battery life. It had a 0.5lb increase in weight, and it cost over $4,399 if it came with 8 MB of RAM and a 170 MB hard disk. [4]

IBM ThinkPad 360CS — Also released the same time as the 360C and 360 base model, the 360CS model was also identical to the 360C and 360, with only a few differences. It had a 9.5-inch DSTN screen, a slight increase in battery life from 7 to 8 hours, and a slight weight increase of 0.1lb. [3]

The 360PE, opened in its 'natural' mode ThinkPad 360PE normal mode.jpg
The 360PE, opened in its 'natural' mode

IBM ThinkPad 360P — The 360P model introduced at $3,399 was a unique model, as it featured a pen touch display. The pen was a pressure-sensitive input device (Stylus). It had a DSTN 9.5-inch 640×480 display. The machine ran DOS 6.21 with PenDOS 2.2 and had a battery life of about 5 hours. Other features included: Ultrabay with 1.44 MB floppy drive, Trackpoint II pointing device, and 1 Type III or 2 Type II or 2 Type I PCMIA slots.

IBM ThinkPad 360PE — The 360PE model was almost identical to the 360P, having a small upgrade to a Intel 486 DX2 running at 50 MHz, a 17 MHz increase in speed. It also offered a slightly larger hard drive size option of 540 MB, and was the first and only model in the series to offer built-in audio with a CS4248 audio controller. The 360PE cost $300 more than the 360P at $3,699.

IBM ThinkPad 360CE — One of the final models, the 360CE was a slight upgrade from the earlier 360/C/CS models, offering a Intel 486 DX2 running at 50 MHz, a 8.4-inch 640×480 TFT display, and an additional 540 MB option for hard disk size. Other features included: Ultrabay with 1.44 MB floppy drive, Trackpoint II pointing device, and 1 Type III or 2 Type II or 2 Type I PCMIA slots.

ThinkPad 360PE mid fold.jpg
ThinkPad 360PE tablet mode.jpg
The 360PE in mid-fold showing how the monitor rotates over the unit; folded in its 'tablet' mode allowing the laptop to be held as a tablet would

IBM ThinkPad 360CSE — The last model of the series, the 360CSE was again another nearly identical model as the previous unit, only offering a 9.5-inch 640×480 DSTN display rather than the 360CE's TFT display.

Comparison

ModelIntroduction

Date

Withdrawal

Date

Base

Price

Display

Options

ResolutionCPUMemoryVideo

Controller

Audio

Controller

Hard Drive

Options

Misc

Info

DSTNTFT
360May 1994May 1995$1,8999.5"

Mono

640x480 80486SX - 33 MHz

8 KB cache

4–20 MB

70 ns

WD90C24A2

1 MB DRAM

None170 MB340 MB1.44 MB FDD

NiHM Battery – 4.6 hr

360CSDec 21 1995$2,3499.5"

Color

1.44 MB FDD

NiHM Battery – 3 hr

360CJun 1994$2,2298.4"

Color

1.44 MB FDD

NiHM Battery - 3.5 hr

360P$2,8999.5"

Color

1.44 MB FDD

NiHM Battery - 3.3 hr

Pen enabled display

360CSEOct 1994$2,3999.5"

Color

- 80486DX2 - 50 MHz

25 MHz bus

8 KB cache

WD90C24A/A2

1 MB DRAM

170 MB340 MB540 MB1.44 MB FDD

NiHM Battery – 2.9 hr

360CE$2,799-8.4"

Color

1.44 MB FDD

NiHM Battery - 3.2 hr

360PEApr 1995Jun 1996$3,6999.5"

Color

CS4248 340 MB540 MB1.44 MB FDD

NiHM Battery – 2.5 hr

Pen enabled display

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amstrad</span> British electronics company

Amstrad was a British consumer electronics company, founded in 1968 by Alan Sugar. During the 1980s, the company was known for its home computers beginning with the Amstrad CPC and later also the ZX Spectrum range after the Sinclair deal, which led it to have a substantial share of the PC market in Britain. In the following decade it shifted focus towards communication technologies, and its main business during the 2000s was the manufacture of satellite television set-top boxes for Sky, which Amstrad had started in 1989 as the then sole supplier of the emerging Sky TV service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ThinkPad</span> Business laptops and tablets series by Lenovo

ThinkPad is a line of business-oriented laptop computers and tablets, the early models of which were designed, developed and marketed by International Business Machines (IBM) starting in 1992. IBM sold its PC business, including laptops to Lenovo in 2005, and since 2007, all new ThinkPad models have been branded Lenovo instead. The Chinese manufacturer further developed the line, and is still selling new models in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Compaq Portable series</span> Laptop manufacturer

Compaq's first computers' form factors were portable, also called "luggables", and then "lunchbox computers", and together constituted the Compaq Portable series. These computers measured approximately 16 inches (410 mm) deep, 8 inches (200 mm) tall, and approximately 20 inches (510 mm) wide. As the products evolved, laptops and notebooks were created offing a new level of portability that caused the market to explode.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dynabook Tecra</span>

The Tecra is a series of business laptops currently manufactured by Dynabook Inc., a subsidiary of Sharp Corporation formerly owned by Toshiba. The number of Tecra notebook models available for sale is strictly dependent on the location: North and South America, Europe, Africa and South Africa, the Middle East or the South Pacific region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IBM ThinkPad 380</span>

The IBM ThinkPad 380 was a notebook computer series released May 13, 1997 by IBM as part of their ThinkPad laptop series. Notable for incorporating a CD-ROM and a floppy drive, it was considered a mid-range laptop by IBM at the time, and sold well. The series was the successor to the IBM ThinkPad 365.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of laptops</span>

The history of laptops describes the efforts, begun in the 1970s, to build small, portable Personal Computers that combine the components, inputs, outputs and capabilities of a Desktop Computer in a small chassis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IBM ThinkPad 310</span>

IBM ThinkPad 310 was a notebook computer series introduced in 1997 by the IBM corporation into the market as part of their ThinkPad laptop series. It was succeeded by the ThinkPad 380 series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IBM ThinkPad 760</span>

IBM ThinkPad 760 was a notebook computer introduced in 1995 by the IBM corporation into the market as part of the ThinkPad 700-series. It was succeeded in 1998 by the ThinkPad 770 series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IBM ThinkPad 770</span>

IBM ThinkPad 770 was a laptop designed and manufactured by IBM targeted for the business, enterprise and professional user. It was the last lineup in the ThinkPad 700-series, succeeding the 760 as the high-end laptop of the ThinkPad lineup. The line was produced from October 1997 to May 2000, and eventually replaced by the ThinkPad models A20m and A20p.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IBM ThinkPad 240</span>

IBM ThinkPad 240 is an ultra-portable laptop computer designed and produced by IBM from June 1999 to 2001. It is one of the few ThinkPad 200 series models made available in America and was the smallest and lightest ThinkPad model produced to date. The 240 series was discontinued, and it was replaced with the ThinkPad X series in 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Compaq Concerto</span>

The Compaq Concerto was a detachable laptop computer made by Compaq, introduced in 1993. Concerto was the first tablet computer manufactured by Compaq on a large scale, and can be considered a very early form of a 2-in-1 PC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ThinkPad X series</span> Series of laptops by IBM and Lenovo

The ThinkPad X series is a line of laptop computers and convertible tablets produced by Lenovo with less power than its other counterparts. It was initially produced by IBM until 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IBM ThinkPad 600</span>

The IBM ThinkPad 600 series was a series of notebook computers introduced in 1998 by IBM as an ligher and slimmer alternative to the 770 series. Three models were produced, the 600, 600E, and 600X; the series was succeeded in 2000 by the ThinkPad T20 series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IBM ThinkPad T20 series</span>

The IBM ThinkPad T20 series was a series of notebook computers introduced in May 2000 by IBM as the successor of the 770 series and the first model of the T-series which exists today under Lenovo ownership. Four models were produced, the T20, T21, T22, and T23; the series was succeeded in May 2002 by the ThinkPad T30, but was produced until July 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IBM ThinkPad 365</span> Notebook computer series by IBM

The IBM ThinkPad 365 is a notebook computer series developed by IBM and manufactured by ASE Group. It was released in North America in November 1995, and was the successor of the ThinkPad 360 series. The series had 8 models that were released before being discontinued, and was succeeded in 1997 by the ThinkPad 380 series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IBM ThinkPad 300</span> Computer model by IBM

The IBM ThinkPad 300 is a notebook computer series that was created by Zenith Data Systems for IBM. It was released in North America in October 1992, alongside the ThinkPad 700 series. It was the second series for the ThinkPad line of notebook computers, and was a cost saving alternative to the 700. It was however known as one of IBM's failures, with most not working properly or being dead after leaving the production line. It was also grey instead of black, and was missing a TrackPoint, which made them unappealing to consumers. The ThinkPad 300 was received as decent, but did not sell well.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IBM ThinkPad 350</span>

The IBM Thinkpad 350 series was a notebook computer series introduced in 1993 by IBM as part of their Thinkpad laptop series. It was the successor to the IBM ThinkPad 300. With only 2 models ever made in the series, it was succeeded in 1994 by the IBM Thinkpad 360 series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IBM ThinkPad 700</span>

The IBM ThinkPad 700 is the first notebook computer for the ThinkPad brand that was released by IBM 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 the L40SX.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Packard Bell Statesman</span> Economy line of notebook computers

The Packard Bell Statesman was an economy line of notebook computers introduced in 1993 by Packard Bell. They were slower in performance and lacked features compared to most competitor products, but they were lower in price. It was created in a collaboration between Packard Bell and Zenith Data Systems. The Statesman series was essentially a rebrand of Zenith Data Systems Z-Star 433 series, with the only notable difference of the logo in the middle and text on the front bezel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IBM ThinkPad T30</span> Laptop computer

The IBM ThinkPad T30 is a laptop computer manufactured by IBM.

References

  1. IBM Announcement Letter 194-353: IBM ThinkPad 360CE and 360CSE. www.ibm.com. 7 October 1994. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  2. "Discontinued Thinkpads". groups.csail.mit.edu. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
  3. 1 2 PC World. IDG. October 1994. pp. 120–121.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  4. PC Mag Aug 1994. Ziff Davis. 1994. p. 219.
Preceded by IBM ThinkPad 360
1994–1996
Succeeded by