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Toshiba T100: The 1983 briefcase PC that revolutionized computing
22 Feb
Summary
- The T100 offered early LCD technology, hinting at future portable devices.
- Weighing 25 pounds, it came in a briefcase with keyboard and modem.
- It ran on AC power, lacking battery life for true mobile use.
Announced in 1982, the Toshiba T100 represented a significant, albeit compromised, step towards portable computing. This 1983 machine, described as "typewriter-size," integrated the CPU and keyboard into a single unit, a novel concept at the time.
It featured advanced options like a palm-sized LCD, a rarity in 1982, and ran on the CP/M operating system with 64K RAM. Toshiba envisioned it as a network-capable office tool for business use.
The T100 was marketed as a "portable machine," with a complete setup including a seven-pound computer, modem, LCD, and briefcase, retailing around $1600. The entire package weighed 25 pounds, a substantial but groundbreaking mobility for its era.
While it offered a full mechanical keyboard and integrated modem for telecommunications, its reliance on AC power limited its true portability, unlike battery-powered competitors like the Radio Shack Model 100. The T100 remains an important evolutionary milestone in personal computing history.
