IBM ThinkPad 350

IBM Thinkpad 350
	An IBM ThinkPad 350 sitting open.
Manufacturer	IBM
Type	Notebook Computer
Release date	June 1993; 31 years ago
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.^[1] 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.^[2] The 125MB disk version started shipping in June 1993, the 250MB version started shipping in July.^[3]

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.^[4]

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.^[5]

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.^[5]

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.^[5]

Comparison

Model	350	350C
Intro/Disc Date	Jun 1993 / Sep 1994
Display	VGA / 9.5in DSTN 640x480 64 Greyscale	VGA / 9.5in DSTN 640x480 256 Color
Video Controller	Chips & Tech. CT-65530
Audio Controller	None
Processor	Intel 80486SL - 25 MHz, 8 KB Cache
Memory	4-20 MB, 80 ns, non-parity
Hard Drive	125 MB, 15 ms	250 MB, 12 ms
Misc	1.44 MB FDD TrackPoint II NiMH Battery / 2.7 hours	1.44 MB FDD TrackPoint II NiMH Battery / 2 hours

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.^[6] A review of the 350C by InfoWorld noted the good screen and the relatively short battery life.^[7]

References

^ "The IBM ThinkPad: 15 years old today • The Register". The Register. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
^ "IBM subnotebook to sport PCMCIA slot". InfoWorld. June 14, 1993.
^ Lee, Yvonne (June 21, 1993). "IBM subnotebook uses 486". InfoWorld. p. 31.
^ 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.
^ ^a ^b ^c PC World Volume 12 No. 7. USA: IDG. 1994. pp. 292.
^ 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.
^ "Benchmark Tests: Color portables - IBM ThinkPad 350C". InfoWorld. December 21, 1993. p. 243.

Preceded by IBM ThinkPad 300	IBM ThinkPad 350	Succeeded by IBM ThinkPad 360

[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.

[:0-5] 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.

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