DOS Palmtop: Sharp PC-3100 Details and specs

Sharp PC-3100 (Sharp PC3100)

About this machine:

The Sharp PC-3100 is actually the "big brother" of the PC-3000. Besides the model name the only difference is that the PC-3100 has 2 MB RAM instead of just 1 MB like the PC-3000. Otherwise they are identical. So instead of repeating my lengthy introduction to the PC-3000 is ask you to read that article if you haven't already done so. All sources mentioned 1992 as the date of release although i personally think they might have been released at the same time. I could not find any original retail price, but one source claimed the PC-3000 was sold for about 1000 USD so i assume it was somehwere around that for the PC-3100 as well, especially if this one was really retailed one year later than the PC-3000.

Specs:

CPU: 80C88A @ 10 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): 2 MB
ROM (Software): 1 MB
I/O ports: RS232 Serial (proprietary 10 pin cable was included accessory), PCMCIA 2.0 Type 2 slot, Parallel port (proprietary 20 pin cable included)
Sound: PC Speaker - Piezo
Operating System: MS-DOS 3.3
Software: Good setup utility but weak PIM software with only rudimentary database, spreadsheet and word processing
Size: Length 11.2 cm, Width 22.2 cm, Height 2.5 cm (4.4 inches x 8.7 inches x 1 inch)
Powered by: 3 AA batteries - rechargable or non-rechargable or AC adaptor (optional accessory), CR2032 Lithium button cell as memory backup
Weight: 480 gram (17 ounces) without and about 600 gram (21 ounces) including 2 standard AA and CR2032 batteries
Special features: Key-Combination to invert display, SIR infrared (HP JetEye Infrared printer port compatible). RAM can be configured as additional RAMDISK space for saving user files.
Released: 1992
Originally retailed for:: Unknown (But probably around 1000 USD estimated)
Clone of: Not a clone. Successor of the PC-3000
Similar models: Sharp PC-3000

Pros:
- PCMCIA 1.0 Type 1 slot but can use "some" flash/CF cards
- Fully CGA compliant, so most CGA based DOS appz and games work
- Excellent keyboard
- One of the "faster" palmtops

Cons:
- DOS 3.3 does not allow flash cards larger than 32 MB
- Can only access flash cards using a driver

Collector Value:
6 of 10

Usage Value:
9 of 10

Verdict:
Give it a usability value of 10/10 if you don't care about large CF cards. This is probably the "most wanted" palmtop after the HP series ones. Although rather bulky compared to the HP series the nice large screen, good keyboard and "reasonable" battery life (less than poqet and HP) make this a quite "usable" palmtop. If it just came with MS-DOS 5 and PCMCIA Type II slots... But if you can cope with these flaws it is definitely among the best palmtops ever. Not really rare but might be "surprisingly expensive" on ebay as there are usually many people looking for these. I gave the PC-3100 a collector value of 6 instead of 5 as naturally the model with more RAM is obviously "more wanted" by the general public so although not technically "more rare" it might at least be more expensive to get one - at least if a PC-3000 and a PC-3100 are on ebay at the same time.

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