Sharp PC-7000

<p>The Sharp PC-7000 was a compact lunchbox-style IBM-compatible portable released in October 1985. Its switchable-speed Intel 8086, twin floppy drives and 640 by 200 LCD offered a capable MS-DOS environment in a sturdy case with a detachable protective keyboard.</p><p>An electroluminescent backlight made the screen unusually readable for the period. Sharp offered RAM, modem, video, printer and hard-disk expansions, and the successful design led to several related PC-7000-series portables.</p>

<h6>Notable Features</h6><ul><li>Electroluminescent backlighting made the 10.5-inch LCD easier to read than many contemporary portable screens.</li><li>Detachable keyboard protected the display when the machine was carried.</li><li>Optional expansion unit added a 10MB hard disk and three ISA slots.</li></ul><h6>Historical Significance</h6><ul><li>Sharp’s second IBM-compatible portable and a well-reviewed successor to the PC-5000.</li><li>Its success produced PC-7000A, PC-7100, PC-7201, PC-7221 and PC-7241 variants.</li></ul><h6>Collector's Notes</h6><ul><li>The backlight has a limited operating life and can be dim on heavily used examples.</li><li>Twin Canon floppy drives, detachable keyboard and optional clip-on printer should be checked for completeness and function.</li></ul>

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Sharp PC-7000
Manufacturer	Sharp
Launched	Tuesday, October 1, 1985
Launch Price	US$1,795
Country	Japan
CPU	Intel 8086 at 4.77 or 7.37 MHz
Units Sold
Power	AC mains
Keyboard	Detachable keyboard forms the front cover
I/O	Parallel, RS-232 serial and optional RGBA video
Expansion	8087 socket, RAM/video/modem options and external hard-disk/ISA unit
Operating System	MS-DOS 2.11 and GW-BASIC
Storage	Two built-in 360KB 5.25-inch floppy disk drives
Graphics	CGA-compatible monochrome graphics
Display	10.5-inch 640×200 monochrome LCD with electroluminescent backlight
RAM	384KB fitted, 320KB usable; expandable to 704KB with 640KB usable
CPU Speed	Selectable 4.77 or 7.37 MHz