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{{Short description|Line of notebook-sized laptops}}
{{Unreferenced|date=December 2006}}
{{Infobox information appliance
The '''NEC UltraLite''' was an [[MS-DOS]]-based [[laptop|portable computer]] in a "notebook" size.
| name = NEC UltraLite
| title =
| aka =
| logo = File:NEC logo 1963.svg{{!}}100px
| image = NEC UltraLite.JPG
| caption =
| developer = [[NEC]]
| manufacturer =
| family =
| type = [[Laptop]] ([[Notebook (laptop)|notebook]])
| generation =
| releasedate = {{Start date and age|1988|10}}
| lifespan =
| price = {{USD|4000}} to {{USD|5000}}
| discontinued =
| unitssold =
| unitsshipped =
| media =
| os = [[MS-DOS]] 3.3<ref name=necfastfacts>[http://old.chuma.org/ultralite/specs.txt NEC Ultralite specifications], NEC FastFacts</ref>
⚫
| power = 12V
| soc =
⚫
| cpu = [[NEC V30]] at 4.92&nbsp;MHz and 8.14&nbsp;MHz
| memory = 640k RAM
| storage =
| memory card =
⚫
| display = Supertwist electroluminescent backlit 8.25x4.25 LCD screen
⚫
| graphics = CGA compatible, 320x200x4 or 640x200x2
| sound =
| input =
| controllers =
| camera =
| touchpad =
| connectivity = built-in 2400&nbsp;bit/s modem
| platform =
| service =
| dimensions =
| weight = {{cvt|4.4|lb|kg}}
| topgame =
| compatibility=
| predecessor =
| successor =
| related =
| website = <!--{{URL|example.org}}-->
}}


The '''UltraLite''' is a line of [[Notebook (laptop)|notebook-sized]] [[laptop]]s first released by [[NEC]] in 1988. The original model was released in October 1988, alongside the heavier and more-capable [[NEC ProSpeed|ProSpeed]].<ref name="lewis-1988">{{cite news|last=Lewis|first=Peter H.|date=October 4, 1988|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/10/04/science/personal-computer-slim-laptop-is-appealing-at-4.4-pounds.html|title=Personal Computers: Slim Laptop Is Appealing at 4.4 Pounds|work=The New York Times|page=C12|via=ProQuest|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525082047/https://www.nytimes.com/1988/10/04/science/personal-computer-slim-laptop-is-appealing-at-4.4-pounds.html|archivedate=May 25, 2015}}</ref> The UltraLite was the first notebook computer on the market [[IBM PC compatible|compatible]] with the [[IBM Personal Computer|IBM PC]].<ref name=eb>{{cite journal | last=Parker | first=John | date=June 3, 1991 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/194221326/ | title=Notebook Computers Grow Up in a Hurry | journal=Electronic Business | publisher=Reed Business Information | volume=17 | issue=11 | page=60 | via=ProQuest}} Quoted in {{cite book | editor-last=Bugra | editor-first=Ayse | date=2011 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4RTlWaXXHVEC | title=State, Market and Organizational Form | publisher=De Gruyter | page=235 | isbn=9783110800739 | via=Google Books}}</ref> The original model was based on the [[NEC V30]] microprocessor; the computer includes [[MS-DOS]] 3.3 built into [[Read-only memory|ROM]].
[[PC Magazine]] featured the UltraLite on its cover in November 1988 and shortly thereafter journalists began referring to the [[A4 paper|A4]] sized computer as a "notebook" to distinguish it from the larger and heavier laptops of the time.

''[[PC Magazine]]'' featured the UltraLite on its cover in November 1988<ref name=Ultralite_PC_Magazine>[https://books.google.com/books?id=yFs-_3jT-5kC Front Cover:NEC's Incredible 4-Pound DOS Laptop], 1988-11-15, Volume 7 Number 19, PC Magazine</ref> and shortly thereafter journalists began referring to any [[A4 paper|A4]]-sized computer as "notebooks", to distinguish them from the larger and heavier laptops of the time.<ref name=notable>{{cite journal | last=Lewis | first=Peter H. | date=August 21, 1990 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/427761532/ | title=Notable Notebooks | journal=The New York Times | page=C7 | via=ProQuest}}</ref>


== Specifications ==
== Specifications ==
⚫
* CPU: [[NEC V30]] at 4.92Mhz and 8.14&nbsp;MHz
* RAM: 640k
* Storage: battery-backed storage memory (non-volatile RAM drive)
* Storage: battery-backed storage memory (non-volatile RAM drive)
** PC-17-01 had 1 MB
** PC-17-01 had 1 MB
** PC-17-02 had 2 MB
** PC-17-02 had 2 MB
⚫
* Graphics: CGA compatible, 320x200x4 or 640x200x2
⚫
* supertwist electroluminescent backlit 8.25x4.25 LCD screen
* built-in 2400bit/s modem
* RS-232C port
* RS-232C port
* ROM/RAM card slot (NEC proprietary interface)
* ROM/RAM card slot (NEC proprietary interface)
Line 20: Line 61:
** ROM cards using proprietary interface
** ROM cards using proprietary interface
** parallel port adapter cable
** parallel port adapter cable
⚫
* internal software in 456&nbsp;Kb integrated ROM
⚫
* power supply: 12V
* weight: 4.4&nbsp;lbs.
⚫
* internal software in 456Kb integrated ROM
** [[MS-DOS]] 3.3
** [[MS-DOS]] 3.3
** Laplink 2
** Laplink 2
Line 32: Line 71:
Tom Martin, the Vice President in charge of the group, asked, "Can you make this thing run MS-DOS"? When an affirmative response was received, the NEC team knew they had a hit product on their hands.
Tom Martin, the Vice President in charge of the group, asked, "Can you make this thing run MS-DOS"? When an affirmative response was received, the NEC team knew they had a hit product on their hands.


The product was launched shortly before [[COMDEX]] in October 1988 at a gala event in New York City. It was applauded by the media, who were dying to find a small lightweight computing platform that could be used for note-taking and article writing. Unfortunately the publicity surrounding the UltraLite did not reflect itself in consumer demand. This was due to the UltraLite's two [[Achilles heel]]s ... the lack of a [[hard drive]] which prevented storage of one's work and the use of a relatively slow [[Intel 8086|8086]]-compatible processor when the market was moving to the [[80286]] class. The main downside to the Ultralite (which weighed only 4 pounds) was its price. It sold for between 4 and 5 thousand dollars which was significantly higher than other, albeit heavier, less innovative, computers of the time. Given its use of the ram drive boot times were actually faster than 80386 class computers.
The product was launched shortly before [[COMDEX]] in October 1988 at a gala event in New York City. It was applauded by the media, who were dying to find a small lightweight computing platform that could be used for note-taking and article writing. Unfortunately the publicity surrounding the UltraLite did not reflect itself in consumer demand. This was due to the UltraLite's two [[Achilles heel]]s ... the lack of a [[hard drive]] which prevented storage of one's work (for more than a week or so without charging the internal RAM drive) and the use of a relatively slow [[Intel 8086|8086]]-compatible processor when the market was moving to the [[80286]] class. The main downside to the Ultralite (which weighed only 4 pounds) was its price. It sold for between 4 and 5 thousand dollars which was significantly higher than other, albeit heavier, less innovative, computers of the time. Given its use of the ram drive boot times were actually faster than 80386 class computers.


So although the UltraLite ushered in a new era in portable computing, its original design as a telecommunications maintenance terminal proved to be its commercial downfall. Commercial success in that product category was not achieved until [[Compaq]] launched its [[Compaq LTE|LTE]] brand nearly 12 months later.
So although the UltraLite ushered in a new era in portable computing, its original design as a telecommunications maintenance terminal proved to be its commercial downfall. Commercial success in that product category was not achieved until [[Compaq]] launched its [[Compaq LTE|LTE]] brand nearly 12 months later.


== Data Storage ==
== Data storage ==
Data storage can be done through an optional external 1.44Mb 3.5-inch floppy drive, through the internal non-volatile RAM drive (silicon hard drive), or through proprietary RAM and ROM cards. The internal ram drive is powered by an auxiliary battery inside the unit which needs to be recharged every week or so in order to keep the contents of the ram drive. The credit-card sized, battery-powered RAM cards come with capacity sizes of 256kb or 512Kb. Both RAM cards and ROM cards use a proprietary NEC interface because this laptop came out at a time when there were no standard portable computing interfaces. The [[PCMCIA]] standard did not exist until many years later. The RAM cards were powered by a replaceable 3 volt lithium coin battery and had a write-protect switch.
Data storage can be done by an optional external 720&nbsp;kb (in fact it supported "Japanese" 1.2&nbsp;Mb format but did not support more common 1.44&nbsp;Mb) 3.5-inch floppy drive, by the internal non-volatile RAM drive (silicon hard drive), or by proprietary RAM and ROM cards.<ref name="Ultralite_PC_Magazine" /> The internal ram drive is powered by an auxiliary battery inside the unit which needs to be recharged every week or so in order to keep the contents of the ram drive. The credit-card sized, battery-powered RAM cards come with capacity sizes of 256&nbsp;kb or 512&nbsp;Kb. Both RAM cards and ROM cards use a proprietary NEC interface because this laptop came out at a time when there were no standard portable computing interfaces. The [[PCMCIA]] standard did not exist until 1990. The RAM cards were powered by a replaceable 3 volt lithium coin battery and had a write-protect switch.


=== ROM cards ===
=== ROM cards ===
Software can be bought running from ROM cards. Examples include:
Software can be bought running from ROM cards.<ref name="Ultralite_PC_Magazine" /> Examples include:
* [[Lotus 123]]
* [[Lotus 123]]<ref name=Ultralite_PC_Magazine />
* Lotus Agenda
* Lotus Agenda{{Citation Needed|date=May 2018}}
* Lotus Metro/Express
* Lotus Metro/Express{{Citation Needed|date=May 2018}}
* [[Wordperfect]] 5.0
* [[Wordperfect]] 5.0{{Citation Needed|date=May 2018}}
* [[Wordstar]]
* [[Wordstar]]{{Citation Needed|date=May 2018}}
* [[Microsoft Works]]
* [[Microsoft Works]]{{Citation Needed|date=May 2018}}


== Other Models ==
== Other models ==
There are other models in the NEC Ultralite series—for example, the Ultralite SX/20, which was released in 1991. The Ultralite SX/20 had a [[80386]] processor and runs Microsoft Windows 3.0
There are other models in the NEC Ultralite series—for example, the Ultralite SX/20, which was released in 1991. The Ultralite SX/20 had a [[80386]] processor and runs Microsoft Windows 3.0


Others in the series include the NEC Ultralite 286F, 286V, and the NEC Ultralite Versa models.
Others in the series include the NEC Ultralite 286F, 286V, and the [[NEC Versa|NEC UltraLite Versa]] models.


== See also ==
== See also ==
Line 57: Line 96:
* [[Grid Compass]]
* [[Grid Compass]]
* [[HP 200LX]]
* [[HP 200LX]]

==References==
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://old.chuma.org/ultralite/index.shtml NEC Ultralite: Last of a Breed]
* [http://old.chuma.org/ultralite/index.shtml NEC Ultralite: Last of a Breed]

{{NEC computers}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Nec UltraLite}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nec UltraLite}}
[[Category:History of computing hardware]]
[[Category:NEC laptops|UltraLite]]
[[Category:NEC personal computers|UltraLite]]
[[Category:Computer-related introductions in 1988]]
[[Category:Portable computers]]

Latest revision as of 16:47, 12 November 2024

NEC UltraLite
DeveloperNEC
TypeLaptop (notebook)
Release dateOctober 1988; 36 years ago (1988-10)
Introductory priceUS$4,000 to US$5,000
Operating systemMS-DOS 3.3[1]
CPUNEC V30 at 4.92 MHz and 8.14 MHz
Memory640k RAM
DisplaySupertwist electroluminescent backlit 8.25x4.25 LCD screen
GraphicsCGA compatible, 320x200x4 or 640x200x2
Connectivitybuilt-in 2400 bit/s modem
Power12V
Mass4.4 lb (2.0 kg)

The UltraLite is a line of notebook-sized laptops first released by NEC in 1988. The original model was released in October 1988, alongside the heavier and more-capable ProSpeed.[2] The UltraLite was the first notebook computer on the market compatible with the IBM PC.[3] The original model was based on the NEC V30 microprocessor; the computer includes MS-DOS 3.3 built into ROM.

PC Magazine featured the UltraLite on its cover in November 1988[4] and shortly thereafter journalists began referring to any A4-sized computer as "notebooks", to distinguish them from the larger and heavier laptops of the time.[5]

Specifications

[edit]
  • Storage: battery-backed storage memory (non-volatile RAM drive)
    • PC-17-01 had 1 MB
    • PC-17-02 had 2 MB
  • RS-232C port
  • ROM/RAM card slot (NEC proprietary interface)
  • optional accessories:
    • external 3.5 inch floppy drive reader
    • SRAM cards using proprietary interface
    • ROM cards using proprietary interface
    • parallel port adapter cable
  • internal software in 456 Kb integrated ROM
    • MS-DOS 3.3
    • Laplink 2
    • Microsoft DOS Manager Version 2.0

History

[edit]

The product was originally developed by an NEC Japan telecommunications engineering team that was trying to make an inexpensive lightweight terminal for programming PABX systems. In 1988, as NEC was trying to create products to update their best selling MultiSpeed, the NEC engineering team in charge of developing personal computers showed the UltraLite to a product management team from NEC Home Electronics USA.

Tom Martin, the Vice President in charge of the group, asked, "Can you make this thing run MS-DOS"? When an affirmative response was received, the NEC team knew they had a hit product on their hands.

The product was launched shortly before COMDEX in October 1988 at a gala event in New York City. It was applauded by the media, who were dying to find a small lightweight computing platform that could be used for note-taking and article writing. Unfortunately the publicity surrounding the UltraLite did not reflect itself in consumer demand. This was due to the UltraLite's two Achilles heels ... the lack of a hard drive which prevented storage of one's work (for more than a week or so without charging the internal RAM drive) and the use of a relatively slow 8086-compatible processor when the market was moving to the 80286 class. The main downside to the Ultralite (which weighed only 4 pounds) was its price. It sold for between 4 and 5 thousand dollars which was significantly higher than other, albeit heavier, less innovative, computers of the time. Given its use of the ram drive boot times were actually faster than 80386 class computers.

So although the UltraLite ushered in a new era in portable computing, its original design as a telecommunications maintenance terminal proved to be its commercial downfall. Commercial success in that product category was not achieved until Compaq launched its LTE brand nearly 12 months later.

Data storage

[edit]

Data storage can be done by an optional external 720 kb (in fact it supported "Japanese" 1.2 Mb format but did not support more common 1.44 Mb) 3.5-inch floppy drive, by the internal non-volatile RAM drive (silicon hard drive), or by proprietary RAM and ROM cards.[4] The internal ram drive is powered by an auxiliary battery inside the unit which needs to be recharged every week or so in order to keep the contents of the ram drive. The credit-card sized, battery-powered RAM cards come with capacity sizes of 256 kb or 512 Kb. Both RAM cards and ROM cards use a proprietary NEC interface because this laptop came out at a time when there were no standard portable computing interfaces. The PCMCIA standard did not exist until 1990. The RAM cards were powered by a replaceable 3 volt lithium coin battery and had a write-protect switch.

ROM cards

[edit]

Software can be bought running from ROM cards.[4] Examples include:

Other models

[edit]

There are other models in the NEC Ultralite series—for example, the Ultralite SX/20, which was released in 1991. The Ultralite SX/20 had a 80386 processor and runs Microsoft Windows 3.0

Others in the series include the NEC Ultralite 286F, 286V, and the NEC UltraLite Versa models.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ NEC Ultralite specifications, NEC FastFacts
  2. ^ Lewis, Peter H. (October 4, 1988). "Personal Computers: Slim Laptop Is Appealing at 4.4 Pounds". The New York Times. p. C12. Archived from the original on May 25, 2015 – via ProQuest.
  3. ^ Parker, John (June 3, 1991). "Notebook Computers Grow Up in a Hurry". Electronic Business. 17 (11). Reed Business Information: 60 – via ProQuest. Quoted in Bugra, Ayse, ed. (2011). State, Market and Organizational Form. De Gruyter. p. 235. ISBN 9783110800739 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ a b c d Front Cover:NEC's Incredible 4-Pound DOS Laptop, 1988-11-15, Volume 7 Number 19, PC Magazine
  5. ^ Lewis, Peter H. (August 21, 1990). "Notable Notebooks". The New York Times: C7 – via ProQuest.
[edit]
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