CTX EzBook 700M
This laptop was one of the cheapest you could buy in 1997. Mine has the TFT display, so it actually isn't that bad. These have surprisingly good speakers (they're actually pretty decent), a good keyboard, and overall the specs are plenty fair for running old software and games (provided you can tolerate NeoMagic scaling). There are two drawbacks - the build quality is horrific (I have the hinges functional in mine, but it has put up a very strong fight the whole way), and it runs like a furnace due to using a desktop CPU with a tiny heatsink. Still, I actually like this thing.
Specifications
| Release Year | 1997 |
|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Pentium MMX @166MHz |
| RAM | 16MB |
| Primary Storage | 16GB SD Card |
| Display | 12.1" Active Matrix Color LCD @800x600 |
| Graphics | NeoMagic MagicGraph 128ZV (1.5MB VRAM) |
| Sound Chip | Creative Vibra CT2505 |
| OS | Windows 95 OSR 2.5 |
| Battery | None |
| CMOS Battery | Soldered 1220 lithium, actually still working |
| Power Supply | Aftermarket/generic |
| Capacitors | Original |
| Issues | CD-ROM works, but is flaky |
| Where I got it | VCF Forums (partial parts unit), eBay (complete parts unit) |
| When I got it | May 2024 |
| Price Paid | Free (partial parts unit), ~$30 (ebay unit) |
For specific general specifications on this model of laptop, see it's page on the laptop portal.
Maintenance Performed Since Acquisition (in chronological order)
- Built complete laptop out of the two parts units (DSTN at this time)
- Reinforced hinge mounts at the base and LCD with epoxy (only visible internally)
- Replaced hard drive
- Externally reinforced plastic that started to crack near the hinges on the display housing
- Upgraded to TFT display
- Re-reinforced the right base hinge mount that broke again
- Re-reinforced the right display-side hinge mount that broke again
- Hard drive replaced with SD card (Jan. 2025)
Image Gallery
Click on any image to view the full-size version of it.
Note that these photos were taken before I had to add any epoxy externally. They were also taken before I installed a TFT display.
