IBM WorkPad was a line of portable devices, produced by

Palm Inc. Palm, Inc., was an American company that specialized in manufacturing personal digital assistants (PDAs) and developing software. Palm designed the PalmPilot, the first PDA successfully marketed worldwide, and was known for the Treo 600, one o ...

and branded by

IBM International Business Machines Corporation (using the trademark IBM), nicknamed Big Blue, is an American Multinational corporation, multinational technology company headquartered in Armonk, New York, and present in over 175 countries. It is ...

. This line contained personal digital assistants (PDAs) and one subnotebook model (WorkPad Z50).

Overview

This line was released in 1997 and discontinued in 2002. After discontinuation of its self-branded line, IBM still offers the main Palm line on its site. This IBM-branded line of PDAs were rebranded PalmPilots, with only a few software improvements (easy sync for

Lotus Notes HCL Notes (formerly Lotus Notes then IBM Notes) is a proprietary collaborative software platform for Unix ( AIX), IBM i, Windows, Linux, and macOS, sold by HCLTech. The client application is called Notes while the server component is branded ...

, DB2 EveryPlace, and IBM Mobile Connect).

Reception

Early WorkPad PDAs were received positively, similar to parallel Palm models; but later this conservative business-oriented line lacked notability, and multimedia options of latest models were described as relatively poor.

Models

WorkPad Z50 - 1999,

subnotebook Subnotebook, also called ultraportable, superportable, handtop, mini notebook or mini laptop, is a type of laptop computer that is smaller and lighter than a typical notebook-sized laptop. Types and sizes As typical laptop sizes have decreas ...

thin client In computer networking, a thin client, sometimes called slim client or lean client, is a simple (low-Computer performance, performance) computer that has been Program optimization, optimized for Remote desktop, establishing a remote connectio ...

, powered by Windows CE, equipped with an NEC MIPS processor and with an 8.2" screen.

PDAs

All WorkPad PDAs have a similar gray-scale screen (with better resolution and contrast for C series, but with same physical size and similar layout); only the c505 model has a color screen. The WorkPad 30X can be upgraded to a Japanese version, using the Open Extension slot. WorkPad - 1997, rebadged

PalmPilot The PalmPilot Personal and PalmPilot Professional are the second generation of Palm PDA devices produced by Palm Inc (then a subsidiary of U.S. Robotics, later 3Com). These devices were launched on March 10, 1997. Accessories and pricing ...

WorkPad 20X - 1998, rebadged Palm III WorkPad 30X - 1999, rebadged Palm IIIx WorkPad 30J - 1999, Japanese version of 30X WorkPad 31J - 2000, same as 30J, but with PHS broadband module. WorkPad 31A - 2000, version of 31J with locked phone operator. ''C series'' with new thin, sleek metal case: WorkPad c3 -1999/2000, rebadged

Palm V Palm V is a personal digital assistant (PDA) by 3Com. Released in 1999 by 3Com, the PDA has an aluminum enclosure containing a Dragonball EZ central processing unit (capable of overclocking to 39 MHz) and two megabytes of memory. Meas ...

/ Vx; also known as WorkPad 40J and WorkPad 50J. WorkPad c500 -2001, rebadged Palm m500; also known as WorkPad 60U. WorkPad c505 -2001, rebadged Palm m505; also known as WorkPad 70J.

Accessories

Most WorkPad PDAs can use the same peripherals as the PalmPilot; for example, the external keyboard available for some models, and most WorkPads can be attached to a cradle for charging or connection to a PC; the WorkPad can be attached to a Palm cradle, and vice versa. Some WorkPads (and sibling Palm models) can be attached to some

ThinkPad ThinkPad is a line of business-oriented laptop and Tablet computer, tablet computers produced since 1992. It was originally designed, created and manufactured by the American IBM, International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation. IBM Acquisit ...

laptops, using an Ultrabay cradle; This would be the Palm V, m500, m505, and the WorkPad c500 and c505 models.

References