PCD-1 Display Screen, Display Icons

PCD-1 Display Screen

The Display Screen shows icons along the top, a large display area in the center, and option button labels along the bottom.

Display Icons

The following table lists the various display icons you will see along the top of the display screen and explains what they represent.

Play - Indicates that a CD is playing.

Pause - Indicates the CD is paused.

Power - Indicates that the AC power adapter is plugged in.

Battery charge indicator - The number of bars visible indicates the amount of charge remaining in your PCD-1’s batteries (displays only if batteries are present and the PCD-1 is not plugged in).

Lock - Displays when the Norm/Hold switch is in the Hold position, locking all the buttons on the PCD-1 and the remote control.

Repeat one - Indicates that the current track is set to repeat.

Repeat all - Indicates that all tracks are set to repeat.

Shuffle - Indicates that tracks will be played in a non-sequential order.

Playlist - Indicates the PCD-1 is in Playlist/Track Management mode.

6	COMPAQ IPAQ PCD-1

PCD-1 specifications

The Compaq PCD-1, launched in the early 1990s, marked a significant milestone in the evolution of portable computing. As one of the first truly portable PCs, it combined innovative design with practical features that appealed to a wide range of users, from business professionals to tech enthusiasts.

One of the standout features of the Compaq PCD-1 was its lightweight design. Weighing approximately 3.5 pounds, the PCD-1 was remarkably portable for its time, offering users the ability to take their work on the go without the burden of a heavier machine. Its compact size allowed it to fit easily into a briefcase, making it ideal for business travel and mobile computing.

The PCD-1 was powered by an Intel 80386 processor, which provided solid performance for various tasks. This CPU was paired with a maximum of 4MB of RAM, enabling users to run essential applications smoothly. The system supported a variety of storage options, including a 40MB hard drive and the potential for external floppy disk drives, catering to the evolving needs for data storage and transfer.

In terms of display technology, the Compaq PCD-1 featured a 9-inch LCD screen with a resolution of 640x200 pixels, providing a decent viewing experience for productivity tasks and basic graphics. The keyboard was designed for comfort and ease of use, with an integrated layout that included function keys, making it user-friendly for typing and navigation.

Connectivity was another important aspect of the PCD-1. The machine included a range of ports, such as serial and parallel connectors, allowing users to connect peripherals like printers and external modems. This versatility extended the usability of the device beyond simple computing tasks.

In addition to its hardware advantages, the Compaq PCD-1 ran on MS-DOS operating system, providing users with a familiar environment for software applications common during that time. The combination of portability, solid processing power, and multifaceted connectivity made the PCD-1 a popular choice in the burgeoning laptop market.

Overall, the Compaq PCD-1 represented a pivotal moment in personal computing, offering a blend of innovative design, essential features, and capable performance that set the stage for future advancements in the field of portable computing. Its legacy can still be seen in the sleek, efficient laptops that dominate today’s market.