DOS Palmtop: Philips HC-101 Computer Organizer Details and specs
Philips HC-101 Computer Organizer
About this machine:
Yet another Tidalwave clone. Philips is one of the leading electronics companies and with over 100,000 employees worldwide also one of the largest dutch companies.
While they brought millions of Radios, TVs and other consumer electrics to European households they were never really a big fan of computers it seems.
Their most successful computers were some generic MSX clones back in the days.
But still - being one of the biggest electronics companies worldwide it seems a bit odd that they would sell a Tidalwave under their own name.
At least they gave it a halfway nice branding and the rather unique term "Computer Organizer" although some sources also recalled it being called the "Handy PC".
Otherwise just a pretty generic Tidalwave with US keyboard (Tidalwave didn't seem to offer a large variety of localized keyboards).
A reader has sent me the picture - I honestly haven't ever seen one in the wild (besides the nice photo), so if it was really produced in quantities then we're probably talking about SMALL quantities.
Keyboard Layout looks pretty much like standard US layout, so no love for the Dutch? After all Philips is a dutch company. No idea at what market this was targeted.
Specs:
CPU: NEC V30 @ 7.15 MHz
Graphics: Monochrome CGA, 80 x 25 character text mode, CGA 2 color monochrome graphics mode
Display: 640 x 200 monochrome Supertwist LCD , 4 grey scales, 7.2 inch
Memory (RAM): 1 MB
ROM (Software): 1.5 MB
I/O ports: RS232 Serial (proprietary cable included), PCMCIA 1.0 Type I slot, Parallel port (proprietary cable included)
Sound: PC Speaker - Piezo
Operating System: MS-DOS 5.0
Software: MS Works 2.0, RacePen PIM (File manager, scheduler, phone book, etc), Microsoft QBasic
Size: Length 11.5 cm, Width 24.5 cm, Height 2.5 cm (4.5 inches x 9.7 inches x 1 inch)
Powered by: 2 AA batteries - rechargable or non-rechargable or AC adaptor (optional accessory), CR2032 Lithium button cell as memory backup
Weight: 590 gram (21 ounces) including 2 standard AA and CR2032 batteries
Special features: None
Released: 1992 (Estimated, no details known)
Originally retailed for:: Unknown (probably about 500 USD)
Clone of: Tidalwave PS-1000
Similar models: Zeos Pocket PC, Highscreen Handy Organizer and all other clones
Pros:
- Fully CGA compliant, so most CGA based DOS appz and games work
- Excellent keyboard
- Can use Flash cards with special driver (Draws much power in standby though)
- Can boot other OS with special "Volume Label" (See Tips and Tricks)
- Can bypass loading default drivers with secret Key Combo (Hold ALT + SHIFT during boot)
Cons:
- Not really the smallest Palmtop ever
- Power management is rather average
Collector Value:
10 of 10
Usage Value:
7 of 10
Verdict:
Pretty rare Tidalwave clone. Besides that fact nothing special.
See our Special Page "Tips and tricks and Drivers" for more:
Tidalwave Tools and tricks
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