Toshiba T5100

The Toshiba T5100 was a high-performance portable workstation with a 16 MHz 80386 processor, gas-plasma display and internal hard disk. It brought 32-bit x86 performance to Toshiba’s established folding transportable format.

The machine served professionals needing desktop-class processing at multiple sites and marked Toshiba’s move into premium 386 portables.

Notable Features

• 16 MHz 80386DX processor
• Orange gas-plasma display
• Expansion capability and internal hard disk

Historical Significance

• The machine served professionals needing desktop-class processing at multiple sites and marked Toshiba’s move into premium 386 portables.

Collector’s Notes

• Its weight and mains-only operation distinguish it from a laptop; plasma and storage hardware are significant preservation issues.
• Memory, storage, displays and expansion hardware should be documented because configurations often changed during a system’s working life.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Toshiba T5100
Manufacturer	Toshiba
Launched	Friday, January 1, 1988
Country	Japan
CPU	Intel 80386DX
Units Sold
Form Factor	Portable workstation
Power	Mains AC
Networking	Via expansion
Operating System	MS-DOS; 386 operating systems supported
Expansion / I/O	Serial, parallel, external display and expansion slots
Keyboard	Integrated full-travel keyboard
Storage	1.44 MB floppy and 40 MB hard disk
Sound	PC speaker
Colours	Monochrome plasma; external colour
Graphics	EGA-compatible 640 x 400 pixels
Display	Built-in orange gas-plasma display
ROM	Toshiba 386 BIOS
RAM	2 MB standard; expandable
CPU Speed	16 MHz