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IBM Thinkpad 350

An IBM ThinkPad 350 sitting open.
Manufacturer	IBM
Type	Notebook Computer
Release date	June 1993; 31 years ago (1993-06)
Lifespan	1993-1994
Introductory price	Starting at US$2,099 (equivalent to $4,427 in 2023)
Discontinued	September 1994
Media	Floppy Disk
Operating system	MS-DOS 5.0
CPU	80486SL @ 25 MHz
Memory	4-20 MB
Storage	125 - 250 MB internal hard drive
Display	Types 9.5in DSTN 640x480 Mono 9.2in DSTN 640x480 Color
Graphics	Chips & Tech. - 65530
Input	Built-in Keyboard TrackPoint 1 x VGA port 1 x Serial port 1 x Parallel port 1 x PS/2 port 1 x RJ port
Connectivity	Built-in modem LAN Adaptor (via PCMCIA card)
Mass	Up to 5.7lb
Predecessor	IBM ThinkPad 300
Successor	IBM ThinkPad 360
Website	www.ibm.com

The IBM Thinkpad 350 series was a notebook computer series introduced in 1993 by IBM as part of their Thinkpad laptop series. It was the successor to the IBM ThinkPad 300. With only 2 models ever made in the series, it was succeeded in 1994 by the IBM Thinkpad 360 series.

History

The 350 was announced in June 1993. The 125MB disk version started shipping in June 1993, the 250MB version started shipping in July.

The New York Times noted that IBM challenged Compaq with the development of the 350, who was the market leader in the lower priced notebook market.

Features

The 350 series shipped with IBM PC DOS 5.02 as the included operating system.

Both models in the series came with an Intel 486SL running at 25 MHz, and a CT-65530 video controller with 1 MB of video memory. Both models also had a standard 4 MB of RAM that was on a proprietary IC DRAM Card. If a user wanted to upgrade the ram, the 350 ThinkPads supported an IC DRAM Card size up to 20 MB.

Both in the series came with a 125 or 250 MB standard hard drive, and a non-removable 1.44 MB floppy drive. Both models also had a battery life up to 9 hours.

In March 1994, IBM cut the prices by 12%.

The 350 is identical to the PS/Note 425 and the 350C is identical to the PS/Note 400SL/25.

Models

IBM ThinkPad 350 — The first model in the series, it introduced a Intel 486SL running at 25 MHz, a monochrome 9.5" STN display with 640x480 resolution, 4 MB of ram on an IC DRAM Card, a non-removable 3.5" 1.44 MB floppy drive and a 250 MB hard disk drive. The 350 weighed 5.2lb in total, and started at $2,099. Other features included: Trackpoint II, Type II PCMIA slot.

IBM ThinkPad 350C — Basically the same as the first, and also the second and last in the series, it only had 1 notable change to a 9.2" STL LCD 640x480 256 color display. It also added the additional option of a 125 MB hard drive alongside the 250 MB option. It weighed 5.7lbs, a .5lb gain from the base 350 model. The 350C started at a price of $1,999 with the highest being $2,399.

Comparison

Reception

A review by the Los Angeles Times considered the ThinkPad 350 not an impressive machine due the fact it was bundling IBM DOS instead of MS-DOS or Microsoft Windows. A review of the 350C by InfoWorld noted the good screen and the relatively short battery life.

References

1. "The IBM ThinkPad: 15 years old today • The Register". The Register. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
2. "IBM subnotebook to sport PCMCIA slot". InfoWorld. June 14, 1993.
3. Lee, Yvonne (June 21, 1993). "IBM subnotebook uses 486". InfoWorld. p. 31.
4. Lohr, Steve (June 23, 1993). "Notebooks May Hold Key to I.B.M.'s Revival". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
5. ^ PC World Volume 12 No. 7. USA: IDG. 1994. pp. 292.
6. J. Magid, Lawrence (September 16, 1993). "Finally, an IBM That's Worth Craving". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 2165-1736. Archived from the original on May 7, 2021. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
7. "Benchmark Tests: Color portables - IBM ThinkPad 350C". InfoWorld. December 21, 1993. p. 243.

• IBM laptops
• ThinkPad
• Computer-related introductions in 1993