IBM Thinkpad 380Z - Revision history

Andrei.boiu at 10:00, 23 September 2021

2021-09-23T10:00:03Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:00, 23 September 2021
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	</div>		</div>
	\|style="vertical-align:top" \|		\|style="vertical-align:top" \|
	[[Image:IBM ~~380X~~.jpg\|IBM 380 13.3"]]		[[Image:IBM 380ED.jpg\|IBM 380 13.3"]]
	\|}		\|}

Andrei.boiu at 09:25, 23 September 2021

2021-09-23T09:25:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:25, 23 September 2021
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	}}		}}

	[[Category:IBM]]		[[Category:IBM laptops]]

Andrei.boiu at 21:10, 20 September 2021

2021-09-20T21:10:56Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:10, 20 September 2021
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	== Best retro purpose ==		== Best retro purpose ==
	Early Windows 98 era gaming released before 1998 or as office computer. Unfortunately, despite the somewhat adequate CPU speed, the video chipset lacks any 3D capability, with great DOS games support and mediocre Windows support (DirectDraw only). However, screen scaling is very good for a laptop of its time, including a great character resizing that makes text very nice on a full screen display. Games run fast on 640x480 resolution. The good RAM expansion capability and good VRAM size create quite a powerful mix for great retro gaming with excellent compatibility.		Early Windows 98 era gaming released before 1998 or as office computer. Unfortunately, despite the somewhat adequate CPU speed, the video chipset lacks any 3D capability, with great DOS games support and mediocre Windows support (DirectDraw only). However, screen scaling is very good for a laptop of its time, including a great character resizing that makes text very nice on a full screen display. Games run fast on 640x480 resolution. The good RAM expansion capability and good VRAM size create quite a powerful mix for great retro gaming with excellent compatibility.

	== Benchmarks ==		== Benchmarks ==

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	The mediocre plastic quality of most of the chassis means that cracks of internal plastic screw stands as well as entire cracks of the display's casing and bottom parts are extremely common, making disassembly and assembly operations quite difficult, with screws that are difficult to remove or tighten. Access to the hard-drive is easier than on 380, 380D, 380ED, 385D, 385ED, requiring only a single screw removable to access the drive tray.		The mediocre plastic quality of most of the chassis means that cracks of internal plastic screw stands as well as entire cracks of the display's casing and bottom parts are extremely common, making disassembly and assembly operations quite difficult, with screws that are difficult to remove or tighten. Access to the hard-drive is easier than on 380, 380D, 380ED, 385D, 385ED, requiring only a single screw removable to access the drive tray.

	Although the screen size is quite large for a laptop of the 380 series, in fact, the largest, the bulky case is still a major ~~dissadvantage~~. The case's fragility is, however, a real issue with drops likely to be fatal to integrity despite the laptop's look and finish of plastic components that suggest durability. Note that even the keyboard's key caps are quite fragile.		Although the screen size is quite large for a laptop of the 380 series, in fact, the largest, the bulky case is still a major disadvantage. The case's fragility is, however, a real issue with drops likely to be fatal to integrity despite the laptop's look and finish of plastic components that suggest durability. Note that even the keyboard's key caps are quite fragile.

			== Greatest features & flaws ==
			{\| border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2
			\|- style="background:#efefef;"
			! Features !! Flaws
			\|-
			\| Good Windows 98/95 3.1 2D Gaming platform \|\| Annoying, high speed CPU cooling fan
			\|-
			\| Good MS-DOS SoundBlaster compatibility, good speaker output \|\| Limited RAM speed and expansion capability
			\|-
			\| Durable, comfortable keyboard and trackpoint \|\| Fragile laptop case and keyboard keycaps, prone to cracks
			\|-
			\| Great Floppy, CD-Rom, Harddrive access \|\| Bulky, tall, heavy laptop
			\|}

	== Review ==		== Review ==
	A midrange, very bulky, business laptop, released in 1998. It had the best combination of parts of a 380 model but still and a large and heavy chassis. Although you may expect that the 385 model is better, it is entirely wrong due to the doubtful choice of differentiation in the 380/385 lineup. The Pentium II CPU model offers great performance improvements compared with previous 380/380 models with moderate improvements in features. The graphics chipset is quite fast, actually the best among Pentium II laptops, with good Windows acceleration and compatibility.		A midrange, very bulky, business laptop, released in 1998. It had the best combination of parts of a 380 model but still and a large and heavy chassis. Although you may expect that the 385 model is better, it is entirely wrong due to the doubtful choice of differentiation in the 380/385 lineup. The Pentium II CPU model offers great performance improvements compared with previous 380/380 models with moderate improvements in features. The graphics chipset is quite fast, actually the best among Pentium II laptops, with good Windows acceleration and compatibility.

	The major issue with the laptop is the obsolete platform. Having a platform that supports only EDO ~~ram~~, that can use a costly a difficult to find RAM that reaches only 96MB in total with the internal memory included, means that limitations are quite clear. Moreover, old EDO RAM means also a reduction in performance compared with DIMM SRAMS. The inclusion of an USB 1 port is welcome but it does not improve too much the typical situation of a laptop that could be mid-range but is closer to low-end due to manufacturer's odd design choices. The Neomagic graphics is the top performer on 2D graphics both for compatibility as far back as Windows 3.1 and DOS as well as competitive with Chips&Technology or S3 Trio 64 videocards.		The major issue with the laptop is the obsolete platform. Having a platform that supports only EDO RAM, that can use a costly a difficult to find RAM that reaches only 96MB in total with the internal memory included, means that limitations are quite clear. Moreover, old EDO RAM means also a reduction in performance compared with DIMM SRAMS. The inclusion of an USB 1 port is welcome but it does not improve too much the typical situation of a laptop that could be mid-range but is closer to low-end due to manufacturer's odd design choices. The Neomagic graphics is the top performer on 2D graphics both for compatibility as far back as Windows 3.1 and DOS as well as competitive with Chips&Technology or S3 Trio 64 videocards.

	The keyboard is not so comfortable due to the case's height that make touch typing quite annoying. The steep angles on the palmrest also feel exhausting after a while. The trackpoint is very good, being quite smooth, predictable as well as with quick response at the classic, renowned IBM quality.		The keyboard is not so comfortable due to the case's height that make touch typing quite annoying. The steep angles on the palmrest also feel exhausting after a while. The trackpoint is very good, being quite smooth, predictable as well as with quick response at the classic, renowned IBM quality.

Andrei.boiu at 18:29, 22 August 2021

2021-08-22T18:29:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:29, 22 August 2021
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	</div>		</div>
	\|style="vertical-align:top" \|		\|style="vertical-align:top" \|
	[[Image:IBM ~~380ED~~.jpg\|IBM 380 12"]]		[[Image:IBM 380X.jpg\|IBM 380 13.3"]]
	\|}		\|}

Andrei.boiu at 18:04, 22 August 2021

2021-08-22T18:04:55Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:04, 22 August 2021
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	The combo CD-ROM and Floppy drive support, somewhat rare, is a staple feature of the IBM Thinkpad 380/390 series so if you need both functionality and can accept a bulky chassis, it is a good choice. The rechargeable battery can be easily removed or replaced. The BIOS and timekeeping battery is a standard CR2032 3V button cell.		The combo CD-ROM and Floppy drive support, somewhat rare, is a staple feature of the IBM Thinkpad 380/390 series so if you need both functionality and can accept a bulky chassis, it is a good choice. The rechargeable battery can be easily removed or replaced. The BIOS and timekeeping battery is a standard CR2032 3V button cell.

	The lid closing latch is well designed and durable. The display hinges are very well engineered even if they may not look to be anything special. The integrated speakers are ~~very bad especially on the non XD models~~ that ~~have~~ a ~~simple, mediocre, mono speaker~~.		The lid closing latch is well designed and durable. The display hinges are very well engineered even if they may not look to be anything special. The integrated speakers are great, considering that they are not only stereo but they do include a subwoofer placed under the keyboard.

	The standard HDDs are only slightly better than on other IBM Thinkpad 380/385 models, the largest size not being roomy enough for modern installation.		The standard HDDs are only slightly better than on other IBM Thinkpad 380/385 models, the largest size not being roomy enough for modern installation.

Andrei.boiu at 18:03, 22 August 2021

2021-08-22T18:03:40Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:03, 22 August 2021
Line 32:		Line 32:

	== Best retro purpose ==		== Best retro purpose ==
	Early Windows 98 era gaming released before 1998 or as office computer. Unfortunately, despite the somewhat adequate CPU speed, the video chipset lacks any 3D capability, with great DOS games support and mediocre Windows support (DirectDraw only). ~~available as~~ on ~~later NeoMagic chipsets but performance is adequate~~ and ~~the screen~~ size ~~is not too large~~ for ~~typical DOS games~~ with ~~resolutions upto 640x480~~.		Early Windows 98 era gaming released before 1998 or as office computer. Unfortunately, despite the somewhat adequate CPU speed, the video chipset lacks any 3D capability, with great DOS games support and mediocre Windows support (DirectDraw only). However, screen scaling is very good for a laptop of its time, including a great character resizing that makes text very nice on a full screen display. Games run fast on 640x480 resolution. The good RAM expansion capability and good VRAM size create quite a powerful mix for great retro gaming with excellent compatibility.
	== Benchmarks ==		== Benchmarks ==

	== Durability and Repair-ability ==		== Durability and Repair-ability ==
	The mediocre plastic quality of most of the chassis means that cracks of internal plastic screw stands as well as entire cracks of the display's casing and bottom parts are extremely common, making disassembly and assembly operations quite difficult, with screws that are difficult to remove or tighten. Access to the hard-drive is ~~very difficult~~, requiring ~~complete case disassembly, including~~ a ~~screwed-on metal~~ drive ~~cage, except on XD models. This means that most IBM Thinkpad 380 models are overly complex to service~~.		The mediocre plastic quality of most of the chassis means that cracks of internal plastic screw stands as well as entire cracks of the display's casing and bottom parts are extremely common, making disassembly and assembly operations quite difficult, with screws that are difficult to remove or tighten. Access to the hard-drive is easier than on 380, 380D, 380ED, 385D, 385ED, requiring only a single screw removable to access the drive tray.

	~~The major plus~~ for ~~these models is that~~ the ~~TFT LCDs lamp~~ is ~~mounted horizontally and relatively easy to replace due to~~ a ~~simple mounting system that does not require only partial screen disassembly~~. The case's fragility is, however, a real issue with drops likely to be fatal to integrity despite the laptop's look and finish of plastic components that suggest durability. Note that even the keyboard's key caps are quite fragile.		Although the screen size is quite large for a laptop of the 380 series, in fact, the largest, the bulky case is still a major dissadvantage. The case's fragility is, however, a real issue with drops likely to be fatal to integrity despite the laptop's look and finish of plastic components that suggest durability. Note that even the keyboard's key caps are quite fragile.

	== Review ==		== Review ==
	A midrange, very bulky, business laptop, released in 1998. It had ~~average mix~~ of parts and a large and heavy chassis. ~~Perhaps the single biggest issue is~~ that the ~~whole IBM Thinkpad 380/~~385 ~~range~~ is ~~very complex and difficult~~ to ~~understand. Differences between~~ 380 ~~and~~ 385 ~~models are minimal, despite what the number suggest, contrasted mostly by the hard-drive disk size~~. The ~~major jumps are shown in the XD lineup that has a different~~ CPU model with ~~major performance~~ improvements~~, especially for the Pentium II~~. The graphics chipset is quite fast, actually the best among Pentium I laptops, with good Windows acceleration and compatibility.		A midrange, very bulky, business laptop, released in 1998. It had the best combination of parts of a 380 model but still and a large and heavy chassis. Although you may expect that the 385 model is better, it is entirely wrong due to the doubtful choice of differentiation in the 380/385 lineup. The Pentium II CPU model offers great performance improvements compared with previous 380/380 models with moderate improvements in features. The graphics chipset is quite fast, actually the best among Pentium II laptops, with good Windows acceleration and compatibility.

	~~However,~~ the ~~mix of features typical for~~ the ~~laptop meant that it was already~~ obsolete ~~design-wise by 1998~~. ~~Especially old Pentium I laptops were~~ difficult to ~~upgrade and meant~~ that ~~Winodws 98 SE~~ is the ~~most you can expect~~ to ~~run, especially if you have upto 32MB of RAM~~. The Neomagic graphics is the top performer on 2D graphics both for compatibility as far back as Windows 3.1 and DOS as well as competitive with Chips&Technology or S3 Trio 64 videocards.		The major issue with the laptop is the obsolete platform. Having a platform that supports only EDO ram, that can use a costly a difficult to find RAM that reaches only 96MB in total with the internal memory included, means that limitations are quite clear. Moreover, old EDO RAM means also a reduction in performance compared with DIMM SRAMS. The inclusion of an USB 1 port is welcome but it does not improve too much the typical situation of a laptop that could be mid-range but is closer to low-end due to manufacturer's odd design choices. The Neomagic graphics is the top performer on 2D graphics both for compatibility as far back as Windows 3.1 and DOS as well as competitive with Chips&Technology or S3 Trio 64 videocards.

	~~The LCD TFT screen is somewhat alright but it uses a dated technology that results in slightly lower contrast than on other IBM models~~.

	The keyboard is not so comfortable due to the case's height that make touch typing quite annoying. The steep angles on the palmrest also feel exhausting after a while. The trackpoint is very good, being quite smooth, predictable as well as with quick response at the classic, renowned IBM quality.		The keyboard is not so comfortable due to the case's height that make touch typing quite annoying. The steep angles on the palmrest also feel exhausting after a while. The trackpoint is very good, being quite smooth, predictable as well as with quick response at the classic, renowned IBM quality.

	The ~~removable drive tray is a nice feature, offering both~~ CD-ROM and Floppy drive support, ~~which is~~ rare, a staple feature of the IBM Thinkpad 380/390 series so if you need both functionality and can accept a bulky chassis, it is a good choice. The rechargeable battery can be easily removed or replaced. The BIOS and timekeeping battery is a standard CR2032 3V button cell.		The combo CD-ROM and Floppy drive support, somewhat rare, is a staple feature of the IBM Thinkpad 380/390 series so if you need both functionality and can accept a bulky chassis, it is a good choice. The rechargeable battery can be easily removed or replaced. The BIOS and timekeeping battery is a standard CR2032 3V button cell.

	The lid closing latch is well designed and durable. The display hinges are very well engineered even if they may not look to be anything special. The integrated speakers are very bad especially on the non XD models that have a simple, mediocre, mono speaker.		The lid closing latch is well designed and durable. The display hinges are very well engineered even if they may not look to be anything special. The integrated speakers are very bad especially on the non XD models that have a simple, mediocre, mono speaker.

	The standard HDDs are ~~quite a bad choice as they are already difficult to access~~ on ~~most~~ 380/385 models		The standard HDDs are only slightly better than on other IBM Thinkpad 380/385 models, the largest size not being roomy enough for modern installation.

	Software support is great for reasonably modern (for its time) operating systems. Due to the video chipset Windows 98 is the best choice of operating system. Good DOS sound support is present due to the CrystalWare audio chipset that is Sound Blaster compatible, offering good MIDI and software support in MS-DOS.		Software support is great for reasonably modern (for its time) operating systems. Due to the video chipset Windows 98 is the best choice of operating system. Good DOS sound support is present due to the CrystalWare audio chipset that is Sound Blaster compatible, offering good MIDI and software support in MS-DOS.

Andrei.boiu at 17:06, 22 August 2021

2021-08-22T17:06:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:06, 22 August 2021
Line 13:		Line 13:

	One of the following storage options:		One of the following storage options:
	*~~3.2,~~ 4.0 or ~~5.1GB HDD (on 380XD model)~~		*4.0 or 6.4GB HDD
	*2.1, or 3.~~2GB~~ HDD ~~(on 385XD model)~~

	*~~Ultrabay FX with~~ CD-ROM and Floppy Drive (combo dual unit)		*CD-ROM and Floppy Drive (combo dual unit)

	=== Other ===		=== Other ===
	*Stereo speakers ~~(placed on the front of the chassis,below the palmrest)~~		*Stereo speakers and one subwoofer
	*2xPCMCIA Slots		*2xPCMCIA Slots
	*VGA Output		*VGA Output

Andrei.boiu at 17:01, 22 August 2021

2021-08-22T17:01:15Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:01, 22 August 2021
Line 8:		Line 8:
	*Intel Mobile Pentium II 233 or 300 MHz		*Intel Mobile Pentium II 233 or 300 MHz
	*32MB EDO DRAM on-board, 96MB max with 1x64MB module		*32MB EDO DRAM on-board, 96MB max with 1x64MB module
	*One of the following displays, depending on model, with similar chassis:		*13.3" TFT display (1024x768, 100:1 contrast ratio)
	**13.3" TFT display (1024x768, 100:1 contrast ratio)
	*Neomagic MagicGraph256AV video controller 2.5MB VRAM		*Neomagic MagicGraph256AV video controller 2.5MB VRAM
	*CrystalWare CS4236B, SoundBlaster 2.0/Adlib capable emulation		*CrystalWare CS4236B, SoundBlaster 2.0/Adlib capable emulation

Andrei.boiu at 17:00, 22 August 2021

2021-08-22T17:00:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:00, 22 August 2021
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	\|style="vertical-align:top" \|		\|style="vertical-align:top" \|
	<div style="margin: 0; margin-right:10px; border: 1px solid #dfdfdf; padding: 0em 1em 1em 1em; background-color:#F8F8FF; align:right;">		<div style="margin: 0; margin-right:10px; border: 1px solid #dfdfdf; padding: 0em 1em 1em 1em; background-color:#F8F8FF; align:right;">
	IBM Thinkpad ~~385ED, 385XD~~ Overview		IBM Thinkpad 380Z Overview

	== Features ==		== Features ==
	*One of the following CPUs (soldered):		*Intel Mobile Pentium II 233 or 300 MHz
	**Intel Mobile Pentium II 233 or 300 MHz		*32MB EDO DRAM on-board, 96MB max with 1x64MB module
	**32MB EDO DRAM on-board, 96MB max with 1x64MB module
	*One of the following displays, depending on model, with similar chassis:		*One of the following displays, depending on model, with similar chassis:
	**12.~~1" HPA display (800x600, 50:1 contrast ratio)~~		**13.3" TFT display (1024x768, 100:1 contrast ratio)
	**12.1" TFT display (~~800x600~~, 100:1 contrast ratio)		*Neomagic MagicGraph256AV video controller 2.5MB VRAM
	*Neomagic ~~MagicGraph128ZV~~ video controller 1.~~1MB~~ VRAM
	*CrystalWare CS4236B, SoundBlaster 2.0/Adlib capable emulation		*CrystalWare CS4236B, SoundBlaster 2.0/Adlib capable emulation

Line 25:		Line 23:
	*2xPCMCIA Slots		*2xPCMCIA Slots
	*VGA Output		*VGA Output
	*Li Ion ~~or NimH~~ rechargeable battery		*Li Ion rechargeable battery
	*Dual PS/2, Serial, Parallel ports		*USB 1, Dual PS/2, Serial, Parallel ports
	*16V power supply (separate)		*16V power supply (separate)

Andrei.boiu: Created page with "NOTOC {| width="100%" |style="vertical-align:top" |

2021-08-22T16:55:47Z

Created page with "NOTOC {| width="100%" |style="vertical-align:top" | <div style="margin: 0; margin-right:10px; border: 1px solid #dfdfdf; padding: 0em 1em 1em 1em; background-color:#F8F8FF..."

New page
NOTOC
{| width="100%"
|style="vertical-align:top" |
<div style="margin: 0; margin-right:10px; border: 1px solid #dfdfdf; padding: 0em 1em 1em 1em; background-color:#F8F8FF; align:right;">
IBM Thinkpad 385ED, 385XD Overview

== Features ==
One of the following CPUs (soldered):
Intel Mobile Pentium II 233 or 300 MHz
32MB EDO DRAM on-board, 96MB max with 1x64MB module
One of the following displays, depending on model, with similar chassis:
12.1" HPA display (800x600, 50:1 contrast ratio)
12.1" TFT display (800x600, 100:1 contrast ratio)
Neomagic MagicGraph128ZV video controller 1.1MB VRAM
CrystalWare CS4236B, SoundBlaster 2.0/Adlib capable emulation

One of the following storage options:
3.2, 4.0 or 5.1GB HDD (on 380XD model)
2.1, or 3.2GB HDD (on 385XD model)

Ultrabay FX with CD-ROM and Floppy Drive (combo dual unit)

=== Other ===
Stereo speakers (placed on the front of the chassis,below the palmrest)
2xPCMCIA Slots
VGA Output
Li Ion or NimH rechargeable battery
Dual PS/2, Serial, Parallel ports
16V power supply (separate)

Windows 3.1, IBM OS/2, Windows 95/98, Windows 2000 support (slightly slow on Windows 2000)
</div>
|style="vertical-align:top" |
[[Image:IBM 380ED.jpg|IBM 380 12"]]
|}

== Best retro purpose ==
Early Windows 98 era gaming released before 1998 or as office computer. Unfortunately, despite the somewhat adequate CPU speed, the video chipset lacks any 3D capability, with great DOS games support and mediocre Windows support (DirectDraw only). available as on later NeoMagic chipsets but performance is adequate and the screen size is not too large for typical DOS games with resolutions upto 640x480.
== Benchmarks ==

== Durability and Repair-ability ==
The mediocre plastic quality of most of the chassis means that cracks of internal plastic screw stands as well as entire cracks of the display's casing and bottom parts are extremely common, making disassembly and assembly operations quite difficult, with screws that are difficult to remove or tighten. Access to the hard-drive is very difficult, requiring complete case disassembly, including a screwed-on metal drive cage, except on XD models. This means that most IBM Thinkpad 380 models are overly complex to service.

The major plus for these models is that the TFT LCDs lamp is mounted horizontally and relatively easy to replace due to a simple mounting system that does not require only partial screen disassembly. The case's fragility is, however, a real issue with drops likely to be fatal to integrity despite the laptop's look and finish of plastic components that suggest durability. Note that even the keyboard's key caps are quite fragile.

== Review ==
A midrange, very bulky, business laptop, released in 1998. It had average mix of parts and a large and heavy chassis. Perhaps the single biggest issue is that the whole IBM Thinkpad 380/385 range is very complex and difficult to understand. Differences between 380 and 385 models are minimal, despite what the number suggest, contrasted mostly by the hard-drive disk size. The major jumps are shown in the XD lineup that has a different CPU model with major performance improvements, especially for the Pentium II. The graphics chipset is quite fast, actually the best among Pentium I laptops, with good Windows acceleration and compatibility.

However, the mix of features typical for the laptop meant that it was already obsolete design-wise by 1998. Especially old Pentium I laptops were difficult to upgrade and meant that Winodws 98 SE is the most you can expect to run, especially if you have upto 32MB of RAM. The Neomagic graphics is the top performer on 2D graphics both for compatibility as far back as Windows 3.1 and DOS as well as competitive with Chips&Technology or S3 Trio 64 videocards.

The LCD TFT screen is somewhat alright but it uses a dated technology that results in slightly lower contrast than on other IBM models.

The keyboard is not so comfortable due to the case's height that make touch typing quite annoying. The steep angles on the palmrest also feel exhausting after a while. The trackpoint is very good, being quite smooth, predictable as well as with quick response at the classic, renowned IBM quality.

The removable drive tray is a nice feature, offering both CD-ROM and Floppy drive support, which is rare, a staple feature of the IBM Thinkpad 380/390 series so if you need both functionality and can accept a bulky chassis, it is a good choice. The rechargeable battery can be easily removed or replaced. The BIOS and timekeeping battery is a standard CR2032 3V button cell.

The lid closing latch is well designed and durable. The display hinges are very well engineered even if they may not look to be anything special. The integrated speakers are very bad especially on the non XD models that have a simple, mediocre, mono speaker.

The standard HDDs are quite a bad choice as they are already difficult to access on most 380/385 models

Software support is great for reasonably modern (for its time) operating systems. Due to the video chipset Windows 98 is the best choice of operating system. Good DOS sound support is present due to the CrystalWare audio chipset that is Sound Blaster compatible, offering good MIDI and software support in MS-DOS.

{{footnotes|
#
}}

[[Category:IBM]]