Arima PN486
The Arima PN486 is a 486-based generic/ODM laptop that was released around July 1993. This laptop uses desktop 486 processors. The PN486 model number is based off of the FCC ID of this laptop (ID4PN486), but one source claims Arima referred to it as the NotePro.
A revision of this laptop called the PN486C exists. It released around November 1993, and I'm not sure what was different about it. Arima would later release an updated version of this laptop called the PN486E that supported an internal sound card. Later still, they made a Pentium version of this machine (the PN586C).
You can generally identify if a PN486 has a TFT screen in it if the contrast labels on the F7 and F8 keys aren't present.
This model was sold as/by:
- AMS Tech TravelPro 5300
- Austin
- IPC Porta-PC P5-486
Specifications
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| CPU | CPU Type: Socket 486 - Intel 486SX @25MHz - Intel 486DX @33MHz - Intel 486DX2 @50 or 66MHz - Intel 486DX4 @75 or 100MHz |
| Chipset | ACC Micro 2046 |
| RAM | Type: Proprietary Standard: N/A Maximum: 32MB |
| Storage | 2.5" IDE Requires Adapter: No Standard: N/A |
| Display Options | - 9.5" Passive Matrix Grayscale @640x480 - 9.5" Passive Matrix Color @640x480 - 9.5" Active Matrix Color @640x480 |
| Graphics Chipset | Western Digital WD90C24 VRAM: 1MB |
| Audio | PC Speaker |
| Main Battery | NiCad or NiMH |
| CMOS Battery | CR1220 Lithium (Soldered) |
| Power Supply | Barrel Jack |
| Media Drives | 3.5" 1.44MB Floppy Drive |
| PC Cards | 2x PCMCIA Slots (2x Type II/1x Type III) |
| Networking | Modem (Optional) |
| Other I/O | - 1x Parallel - 2x Serial - 1x VGA Out - 1x PS/2 - 1x Dock Connector |
| BIOS | AMI |
| Pointing Device | Trackball |
Common Faults & Maintenance
CMOS Battery Required
When the original CR1220 CMOS battery goes flat, the PN486 won't be able to save BIOS settings on reboot, meaning it can never boot from the hard drive. The battery, which is soldered to the motherboard, must be replaced in order to get the laptop working. Thankfully, there isn't any Varta battery or similar in these.
Main Battery Leaks
The main NiCad or NiMH battery usually leaks and can cause damage to the boards inside the laptop.
Floppy Drive Failure
The PN486 uses a Citizen floppy drive, which has a belt-driven spindle motor. This belt is nearly always bad and needs to be replaced. I don't know if the drive is the newer W1D or the older V1DA series drive. If the former, belts can be sourced on eBay. I don't have a source for the V1DA belt.
A note on the hinges
I'm not currently sure of the status of the plastics on these, and if they commonly suffer from hinge failure. However, I do know that they only have a single hinge, which is on the right side. ALWAYS open one of these from the right side to avoid putting excess stress on what are likely brittle plastics.
Page last updated (MM/DD/YYYY): 04/04/2025
Update Reason: added to reseller list, added issues section
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