The Portfolio was one of the first, if not the first MSDOS compatible pocket computer. It was fully compatible with the IBM PC standard, although it was difficult to use software because of its very small screen.
Its card drive can accept :
- optional 32K, 64K or 128K memory (RAM) cards,
- 64K or 128K programmable (PROM) cards,
- 128K masked ROM cards,
- and 512K Flash Memory cards.
It had several built-in programs :
- Worksheet: Lotus 1-2-3 File-compatible spreadsheet,
- Text editor with basic word processing funtions,
- Calculator with five memories, four number formats and editable "tape" of calculations,
- Address book with virtually unlimited name and address storage and automatic phone dialing,
- Personal calendar/appointment book with programmable alarms,
- File transfer to upload and download files from compatible PC using optional Smart Parallel Interface,
- Clipboard to move or copy data within a file or between files or programs,
- and an operating system similar to MS-DOS 2.11
A lot of interfaces were developped for this computer including MIDI I/O.
Fun fact: This computer appeared in Terminator 2. It was used by young John Connor to break into an ATM bank machine.
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Malcolm Ramage specifies:
While you have the machine down as originating from the US, the machine was developed by the UK firm known as DIPP, who developed the machine, but did not have the finance or ability to distribute it. As a result, Atari took on the distribution and manufacture of the device, while DIPP provided the groundwork for the new portable Atari's, STylus (ST Pad) and the ST Book.
Please consider donating your old computer / videogame system to Old-Computers.com or one of our partners from anywhere in the world (Europe, America, Asia, etc.).
"The story behind the creation of the Atari Portfolio" on Amazon may be of interest to some members of this forum.
Saturday 16th October 2021
x86vet (UK)
I own and run the only U.K Portfolio Club and have loads of new and secondhand hardware / software for this brilliant pocket p.c. I even have an original Atari testboard for this great machine, loads of magazines, books, etc. Just contact me, Paul
Wednesday 11th November 2020
Paul Finch (United Kingdom)
I have two Atari Portfolio PCs , have just updated Paul Jolly''s files from his site, they will be made available on my BBS, callable with an Atari Portfolio, and a modem as I have a modem and a land line as well as HTML and Telnet.
