IBM ThinkPad 300

The IBM ThinkPad 300 was one of the first ThinkPad notebook computers that was released by IBM in 1992 alongside the ThinkPad 700 series. It was a low-end, cheaper version of the 700 series. The series was produced for IBM by Zenith Data Systems and was known as one of IBM's failures, with most 300's not working properly or being dead on arrival after leaving the production line. They also were grey instead of black, and had no TrackPoint, which made them unappealing.[1]

IBM Thinkpad 300
An IBM ThinkPad 300C running the Windows 3.1 desktop
Manufacturer
Zenith Data Systems

IBM

TypeNotebook Computer
Release date1992 (1992)
Introductory priceStarting at US$2,375 (equivalent to $4,380 in 2020)
Operating system
CPU
Intel 80386SL @ 25 MHz
Memory4-12 MB
Not to be confused with ThinkPad X300.

History

The ThinkPad 300 was made by Zenith Data Systems, instead of IBM. It was launched on October 5, 1992 alongside the ThinkPad 700 series. [2]

Contrary to earlier IBM computers, IBM sought for an OEM to develop the 300. Eventually, executive authorization was granted. Because of a pre-existing agreement with Zenith/BULL, IBM negotiated with them about the notebook that would become the 300.[3]

Although introduced at a price of $2,375, by February of 1993 the price dropped to $1,999 then even lower to $1,699 by May of 1993. This was due to poor sales of the ThinkPad 300.[4]

Features

The 300 was based on the 25 MHz Intel 386SLC with 4 MB of memory, and had a nickel metal hydride battery that was claimed by IBM to up to 10 hours. It also had the option of an 80 or 120 MB hard disk drive and it had a 9.5in 640x480 monochrome screen with 64 scales of grey. Other features it had was DOS 5.0 preinstalled, and for ports was a modem, serial, VGA, parallel, ethernet, and port replicator. Alongside the hard drive, it had a built in 3 1/2 1.44 MB floppy disk drive.[5]

As the 300 was meant to be low-end and cheaper, it was missing some features the 700 series had, such as the TrackPoint device.

Although the thinkpad came with monochrome screens, they could later be upgraded to an active color TFT screen.[5]

Models
300 300C
Display 9.5in 640x480 Monochrome STN 9.5in 640x480 Color TFT
Video Controller WD90C24
Audio Controller None
CPU 80386SL @ 25 MHz
RAM 4-12 MB
Disk 80 or 120 MB HDD

Reception

PC Mag regarded the ThinkPad 300 as a decent choice, thanks to the good screen and above average battery life backed by flexible power management.[6]

References
  1. Herzig, Benjamin. "A look back at 25 years of ThinkPad notebooks: Part 1 - the beginnings with IBM". Notebookcheck. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
  2. Smith, Tony. "The IBM ThinkPad: 15 years old today". The Register. Retrieved 2021-04-18.
  3. A., Dell, Deborah (2000). ThinkPad: a different shade of blue. Sams. p. 235. ISBN 0-672-31756-7. OCLC 502997994.
  4. "IBM ThinkPad". oldcomputers.net.
  5. Personal Systems Reference IBM ThinkPad Notebooks 1992 to 2001 - withdrawn. https://psref.lenovo.com/syspool/Sys/PDF/withdrawnbook/twbook.pdf: IBM. 2001. p. 4.
  6. Howard, Bill (1993-03-30). "The Laptop Gap, IBM ThinkPad 300". PC Mag. Ziff Davis, Inc. p. 191.
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