The epson delivery program did not contain many programs. A program to load and save epson hx20 tapes using a soundcard. I actually remember getting to work with an epson hx20 back in the day. Using and programming the epson hx20 portable computer. Download programs from the distant past that will make the worlds first laptop the epson hx20 come alive again. The epson hx20 was one of the worlds first notebook computers. In addition to representing epsons first venture into the computer business, the epson ex1 also marked the first use of the epson brand in an enduseroriented product. There were specific cassette tapes which held the programming software for the type of radio you were programming. It was announced in 1981 as the hc20 in japan, and was introduced by epson in north america as the hx20 in 1981, at the comdex computer show in. View and download epson hx20 quick reference online. Hxtape is a suite of small programs designed to read and write epson hx20 tapes using a soundcard under linux. The linked data service provides access to commonly found standards and vocabularies promulgated by the library of congress.
Epson hx20 our compatible epson ribbons for the epson hx20 are the best ribbon cartridge replacements and best value for your epson hx20 dot matrix printer. The hx20 retrieves a disk basic extension from the drive when entering basic. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. The successor was the px8 which combined advantages from the qx10 cpm, wide screen with the hx20 portability. While the earlier hx20 ran basic, the px8 is one of the only handheld computer systems which runs cpm. Epson erc09bk cartridges are used in these printers. But if youdo wish to learn about programming, the accompanying epson hx20 basic tutorial and reference manual will teach you everything you need to know.
The worlds first handheld computer, the hx20 called the hc20 in japan, was created by bringing together epsons core technologies. Replacement rechargeable nicad batteries for an epson hx 20. Download links will be available for some stuff later. Indeed, the unit could almost have been pictured on a single page, since it measures just 8 12 x 11. Skiwriter software for the epson hx20 notebook computer. Handheldcomputer hx20 software assembler disassembler contains allmost of the hx20 epsp commands germanenglish thanks to paul stuijt h20eu. Still, given its relatively small screen and large size, im not surprised the later trs80 model 100 was more successful.
Id always wanted one of these and considered myself lucky to acquire a unit in such good condition complete with tapes and a printer unit. In 1982, it was massproduced in both the japanese and us markets where it was labeled as the fourth revolution in personal computing by businessweek. Incorporating a multitude of functions in a body with an a4 footprint, the computer weighed a mere 1. Epson hx20 computer if you have picked up just about any computer magazine in the last six months you have probably seen the double page ad spread in which the epson hx20 is pictured full size. For detailed specifications, see the epson hx20 technical reference manual. That being said, its in beautiful condition and is a great historical piece being the first ever laptop computer. Additionally, it can be used as a simple means of direct data transfer between a pc and an hx20, by connecting the two using an ordinary audio cable. Epson hx 20 portable computer, epson geneva px8 portable computer. The epson hx20, part 2, with earl evans hello everyone, and welcome to episode 95 of the floppy days podcast for november, 2019, where once again this month in part 2 we will continue talking about one of the worlds first portable computers. To contact epson america, you may write to 3840 kilroy airport way, long beach, ca 90806 or.
While the earlier hx 20 ran basic, the px8 is one of the only handheld computer systems which runs cpm. My dad was using it for a project in work and he brought it home one night. Software here you can find the software i have for the hx 20, including roms and tapes. At the heart of the hx20 sits two hd6301 microprocessors, master and slave, with the master using external roms and ram and the slave using builtin ram and mask rom.
Tape personal entertainment software by epson tape personal productivity software by epson tf20 copy utility epson calc as a rom for the h20rc a few of my own creations or. It included a dotmatrix printer along with rechargeable batteries that lasted roughly 50 hours. If you are just learning about computers, ignore this chapter. You are providing your consent to epson america, inc. Ronson of the hx20 users group also notes that a monochrome monitor can be hooked directly to the rs232 port of the hx20. Date 1983 publisher skisoft, inc category manual collection title company collection lot number x3067.
I could write a basic program, record it to tape and even print it out. Media in category epson hx20 the following 14 files are in this category, out of 14 total. The hx 20 is a quantum leap forward in putting the power and capability of a full computer in a compact package. Cassette interface, additional peripherals, roms, manuals, software. This includes data values and the controlled vocabularies that house them. Released in 1981, the hx 20 is widely regarded as the first laptop computer. Jan 11, 2020 the epson hx 20 came in two colors silver and cream, was the size of an a4 paper and weighed 1.
Following the success of the hx20, epson launced a machine geared more to administrative use, being the px8. Epson hx20 information services manager, peter lancashire, says, the epson hx20 was a laptop, with a decent keyboard, a tiny fourline by 20 character lcd screen, a cassette tape for data. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading using and programming the epson hx20 portable computer. Why buy an oem original epson ribbon cartridge for your epson hx20 when you can get perfect quality out of a brand new high quality compatible ribbon cartridge at a fraction of the cost. Operation manual, quick reference, specification sheet, troubleshooting tips epson hx 20 operation manual 75 pages. Introduced at the 1981 comdex computer show in las vegas, the epson hx 20 drew great attention as the beginning of a new trend powerful, batteryoperated, briefcasesized computers. There were also adapters which had rom in them that went into the cassette player for programming proms for some radios. Hinkel elektronik has new old eproms 27c64 and 27c128 replacement for the tf 20. The epson hx20 also known as the hc20 was the first true laptop computer. An instructions purpose is to teach, to ease the startup and an items use or performance of certain activities. Epson hx20 manuals manuals and user guides for epson hx20.
Epson hx20 worlds first laptop computer circa 1982. Epson hx 20the epson hx 20 also known as the hc 20 was the first laptop computer. How to connect an hx20 to a monitor via the rs232 port. Floppy days 95 the epson hx20 part 2 with earl evans. All specifications are subject to change without notice.
The epson px4 hc40 or hx40 is a portable cpm based computer introduced in 1985. In 1982, two years before the px8, epson released their hx 20 portable computer, what many consider the first socalled notebook computer ever. Some sources believe that the limited software support was an important reason why the hx20 wasnt the big success it could have been. We have 4 epson hx20 manuals available for free pdf download.
Epson 160, epson 161, epson 163, epson 164, epson 180, epson 181, epson 182, epson 183, epson 185, epson 190, epson 195, epson eht 20, epson erc 09, epson erc 80, epson hx 20, epson hx 40, epson m 150, epson m 160, epson m 161, epson m 163, epson m 164, epson m 180, epson m 181, epson m 182, epson m 183, epson m 185, epson m. The system was equipped with dedicated software capable of meeting the everyday needs that would arise in an accounting office. The micropro package comtained roms for portable wordstar, portable calc and portable scheduler. In 1982, two years before the px8, epson released their hx20 portable computer, what many consider the first socalled notebook computer ever. Epson hx20 the epson px4 hc40 or hx40 is a portable cpm based computer introduced in 1985. To contact epson america, you may write to 3840 kilroy airport way, long beach, ca 90806 or call 18004637766. Lack of software and distribution meant it was not sold widely until 1983. Epson hx20 ribbon cartridges and printing supplies 4inkjets. This unit needs a floppy to load its own os cpm into ram, and then could serve as disk drive for the hx20, px8 or px4. Tape personal entertainment software by epson tape personal productivity software by epson tf 20 copy utility epson calc as a rom for the h20rc a few of my own creations or.
The hx20 was and still is a handy, portable computer with builtin printer and cassette drive some call it the first laptop. Therefore, in an instruction of epson hx 20 one could find a process description. Case, power supply, manuals, some software, epson geneva px8. The epson hx 20 is an old computer programmer for some early vintage motorola radios. These programs are not compatible with other retropcs. It was invented in july 1980 by yukio yokozawa, who worked for suwa seikosha, a branch of japanese company seiko, receiving a patent for the invention, it was announced in 1981 as the hc 20 in japan, was introduced by epson in north america as the hx 20 in 1981, at the comdex computer show in las vegas, where it drew significant attention. Epson hx 20 our compatible epson ribbons for the epson hx 20 are the best ribbon cartridge replacements and best value for your epson hx 20 dot matrix printer. Epson hx20 a computer known as the first laptop, but definitely one of the first portable microcomputers which could be used from rechargeable batteries. Epson hx 20 although widely regarded as the first laptop, the epson hx 20 looked little like the models we use today. It offered more ram, more in rom and a tilt screen borrowed from the epson geneva px8.
The basic print fre0 command should return 12891 bytes free for a nonexpanded hx20. Using and programming the epson hx20 portable computer kindle edition by balkan, e download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Im extremely happy to again have my good friend, and vintage computer podcast legend, mr. As part of this project im also dumping tapes and proms. Toc of the epson technical support manual section 1 thanks to paul stuijt swasdisas.
A computer in your lap what was the first portable computer. Epson hx20 portable computer, epson geneva px8 portable computer. Released in 1982, sometimes claimed to be the first notebook computer. Released in 1981 the epson hx20 was one of these units that could maybe claim the title of the first laptop. It featured integrated storage, printing, display and a full keyboard in a 3 pound package. The epson hx20 also known as the hc20 is regarded by some as the first laptop computer, announced in november 1981, but conceived nearly a year before by seiko, who were handed the patent for it.
Smartphones, high tech software, internet and internet security. Everything is included for a convenient and useful portable computer a fullsize keyboard, an lcd screen, builtin data storage, and rechargeable batteries. An instruction is a compilation of information about an itema service, it is a clue. It was invented in july 1980 by yukio yokozawa, who worked for suwa seikosha, a branch of japanese company seiko now seiko epson, receiving a patent for the invention.
It could be operated from a nickelcadium battery pack epson rb 105, 4xaa batteries, or a 6v 600ma dc power supply. The lcd screen shows a window of 4 lines of 20 characters each into a virtual screen which can in theory be as large as 255 by 255 characters. Having written my share of emulators, when earl mentioned that there wasnt an emulator for this machine it started the wheels turning in my head. Mike ferradors epson hx 20 page bill smith, hx 20 software author some say it was the first laptop. The hx20 is a quantum leap forward in putting the power and capability of a full computer in a compact package. Recently floppy days did a multipart podcast on the hx 20 here which covers lots of the available info on the web about this machine. The demo was written for the buenzli 18 demoparty in 2009 in. You may withdraw your consent or view our privacy policy at any time. Why buy an oem original epson ribbon cartridge for your epson hx 20 when you can get perfect quality out of a brand new high quality compatible ribbon cartridge at a fraction of the cost. Now, in 1984, we have the px8 geneva, a similar but very different notebook computer system. Cpm based, and could use option roms as read only disks.
It is aimed squarely at business and educational users, both those willing to do their own programming as will as those seeking a turnkey machine. The demo was written for the buenzli 18 demoparty in 2009 in winterthurswitzerland by chainsaw. According to the software guide there is a command that you can send from the master cpu to the slave to read a location in slave memory. Time technology editor peter ha picks the 100 greatest and most influential gadgets from 1923 to the present. Announced by epson in 1981 and produced a few years later, the hx 20 was small enough to easily carry around at 3. Released in 1981, the hx20 is widely regarded as the first laptop computer. Some german background on the eva epson video adapter the hx20 on fred jan kraan. Related items in collection case, power supply, manuals, some software, epson geneva px8. I found it only split up into 5 parts online so just merged them into this one file for convenience. It will take you from a computer novice to an accomplished computer programmer, in only a few. Mike ferradors epson hx20 page bill smith, hx20 software author some say it was the first laptop. Nonetheless, with its integral printer and decent expansion capabilities, it was a better.
Operation manual, quick reference, specification sheet, troubleshooting tips. The hx20 allowed the programmer to use commands that were unique to its 120x32. In 1980, inventor received a french patent on different forms of portable computers. The epson hx20 is an old computer programmer for some early vintage motorola radios. Introduced at the 1981 comdex computer show in las vegas, the epson hx20 drew great attention as the beginning of a new trend powerful, batteryoperated, briefcasesized computers. Turn instead to the epson hx20 basic tutorial and reference manual, and learn how to program your hx20. Its tiny screen 120 x 32 pixel lcd screen wasnt really up to word processing but there was a full 16k 8bit computer there under the hood. Its licensed under the mit license, see the license file for more information. Epson hx20 1981 epson, now a popular printer manufacturer, once designed and sold its own pcs.
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