Manufacturer: IBM
Machine Type: PS/2E
Model Number: 9533-GB7
Serial Number: 23-W1013
Current Status: Complete and working with original ship group items
Acquired: Dec 1999
Remarks:
The IBM PS/2E is a unique model in the PS/2 family. Basically, it's a laptop design in a pizza box form factor. It uses the IBM 486SCL2 25/50mhz CPU and takes 16 meg max memory (still a 386 chip design) as well as small hard drive. XGA2 video is integrated and the one ISA slot it taken up by the PCMCIA adaptor with 4 sockets. What's neat about this computer is that it has no cooling fan, so operation is very quiet. A VGA LCD (9507) was originally designed for this unit, but is difficult to find these days.
Supposedly after these units were built, IBM had to clear them out for whatever reason. A deal was made with a liquidation company called BIG LOTS to sell them for around $600. Supposedly IBM sold the unit for $2-300 and the liquidation company sold themn for $800. If IBM had to give warranty service on these units, IBM could actually lose money ! The unit pictured above still has a price sticker of $499. This unit was acquired as a package deal with another 9533 for $30. Both were tested and posted errors. The unit above functioned perfectly after running the configuration disk. The second unit had a bad floppy drive cable and the 3 year onsite warranty at the time was still effective! A replacement floppy drive was sent out under warranty which fixed the problem.
This unit is still in its original configuration running Windows 3.1. OS/2 and AIX are also supported. The keyboard is a small form factor type with integrated Trackpoint II. A standard IDE 2.5 inch hard drive is used which could be ugpraded provided the 1024 cylinder limitation inherent to classic PCs is overcome. Laptop-like power management is also built in.
Below is technical information and little known info about the PS/2 E
The 9533 was always sold with one adaptor in the single slot; either a PCMCIA, 16/4 token ring, or Ethernet 10baseT. Security features include a cover lock, password protection and PCMCIA card locking mechanism. Security manager drivers are available for Windows 3.1 and OS/2.
Physical dimensions are 12.0Dx2.75Hx12.0L in inches. Weight is 10.25 pounds.
Power supply is 24v fanless autosensing type. Computer is also PCMCIA bootable using a RAM card or hard drive.
A 387SX-25 mathco is supported.
Additional Resources:
IBM Canada Vintage PC website
Peter Wendt's MCA page
IBM memory configurator (useful for identifying IBM memory)
Tavi PS/2 pages
The PS/2page
[Classic Computer Intro Page] [Computer Collection Index Page (A-Z)] [D.B.Young's Page]
Questions about the PS/2E ? Email the curator