Arima PN486E
The Arima PN486 is a 486-based generic/ODM laptop that was released around June 1994. This laptop uses desktop 486 processors. The PN486E model number is based off of the FCC ID of this laptop (ID4PN486E), but one source claims Arima referred to it as the NotePro+.
There were three main revisions of this laptop design, and the PN486E is the second one, with its main addition being sound support which the earlier PN486 lacked. In 1995, Arima released a Pentium version of this laptop called the PN586C.
You can generally identify if a PN486E 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 SoundPro
- Austin
- IPC Porta-PC P5E-486
Specifications
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| CPU | CPU Type: Socket 3 - Intel 486DX4 @75 or 100MHz |
| Chipset | ACC Micro 2066 |
| RAM | Type: Proprietary Standard: 4MB Maximum: 32MB |
| Storage | 2.5" IDE Requires Adapter: No Standard: N/A |
| Display Options | - 10.4" Passive Matrix Grayscale LCD @640x480 - 10.4" Passive Matrix Color LCD @640x480 - 10.2" Active Matrix Color LCD @640x480 (NEC) |
| Graphics Chipset | Western Digital WD90C24A VRAM: 1MB |
| Audio | ESS AudioDrive 688 (Optional) |
| Main Battery | 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 | 14.4 Modem (Optional) |
| Other I/O | - 1x Parallel - 2x Serial - 1x VGA Out - 1x PS/2 - 1x Dock Connector - 1x Mic In (Optional) - 1x Line In (Optional) - 1x Line Out (Optional) |
| BIOS | Phoenix |
| Pointing Device | Trackball |
Common Faults & Maintenance
Main Battery Leaks
The main NiMH battery usually leaks and can cause damage to the boards inside the laptop.
Floppy Drive Failure
The PN486E 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 issues section
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