Chicony MP999
The MP999 was Chicony's last laptop, released in 1999 shortly before the closure of their laptop division. Information on the MP999 is extremely scarce, so much that for a while I thought it didn't actually exist, or only existed as a prototype. This is largely because Chicony never mentioned this model's existence in any of their documentation. Orphanlaptops.com had said that this model was an updated MP989 that supported Pentium III processors, and that it was only sold in Europe by Maxdata as the Avon Pro. After digging through Maxdata's website in the WayBack Machine, I couldn't locate a model called the Avon Pro. After further digging, I found the Eton Pro, which was clearly an MP989 based on the photo and specs, but it had a Pentium III option. After further digging, I managed to find absolute confirmation that this model was called the MP999 via tracking down the BIOS updates for the Eton Pro on Maxdata's FTP server, which is somehow still online. There were two update files - one for "model MP 989" and the other for "model MP 999".
What I know at this point is that the MP999 appears to be just a very slight modification on the MP989 - it could be as small as an MP989 with an updated BIOS, or there could be hardware changes. At some point, DeltaDon on VCF (former operator of orphanlaptops) is planning on flashing the MP999 BIOS to an MP989 to see if that enables Pentium III support. What I can say for sure is that Pentium III support appears to be the only change between the MP989 and MP999. The Eton Pro page had one specsheet, which matches the MP989 specs that I have direct from Chicony. The only difference is that their specsheet includes a Pentium III option, and their FTP server had a separate BIOS download for the MP999. All other drivers appear to be universal between the two models.
This is all to say - the MP999 is rare. Details aren't known, but it is entirely possible given the lack of official Chicony documentation that the MP999 was a custom-order that was entirely exclusive to Maxdata. Compared to many other brands that sold Chicony laptops, Maxdata was/is larger, and would have potentially had the resources to commission a custom version. To this date, I have not found any other companies that sold the MP999.
I have found a few European sales listings for the Eton Pro, but all of them either did not specify the processor, or were Pentium II configurations.
Specifications
The following is based on the MP989 specsheet from Chicony, and Maxdata's page on the Eton Pro.
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| CPU | CPU Type: MMC2 Intel Mobile Pentium III @450MHz |
| Chipset | Unknown |
| RAM | Type: SDRAM, 3 slots Standard: N/A Maximum: 512MB |
| Hard Disk | 2.5" IDE Uses proprietary adapter?: Unknown Standard: N/A |
| Display Options | - 13.3" Active Matrix LCD 1024x768 - 14.1" Active Matrix LCD @1024x768 - 15.0" Active Matrix LCD @1024x768 |
| Graphics Chipset | ATI Rage Pro LT VRAM: Unknown |
| Audio | ESS Maestro-2 |
| Main Battery | - NiMH (4500mAH) - Lithium Ion (4200mAH) |
| CMOS Battery | Unknown socketed coin cell |
| Power Supply | Barrel Jack |
| Disk Drives | Dual Modular Bays - Bay 1 holds Floppy Drive, ZIP-100 Drive, LS-120 Drive, 2nd Battery, or 2nd HDD - Bay 2 holds CD-ROM or DVD-ROM |
| PC Cards | 2x PCMCIA/CardBus Slots - ZoomVideo Support - Type III and Type II cards can be used simultaneously |
| Networking | Modem (Optional) |
| Other I/O | - 1x Parallel - 1x Serial - 1x VGA Out - 1x PS/2 - 1x Dock Connector - 2x USB 1.x - 1x Composite Out - 1x Composite In - 1x Line In - 1x Mic In - 1x Line Out - Infrared |
| BIOS | Unknown |
| Pointing Device | Trackpad |
Page last updated (MM/DD/YYYY): 11/03/2024
Update Reason: page converted to php
Have additional information on this laptop? Want to send me photos to use on the site? Send me an email: macdatnet@gmail.com
Back-Navigation
Index < Laptop Portal < Chicony < MP999