WinBook LM
The WinBook LM was a Pentium-based laptop, announced in December 1996 alongside the XP5 Pro.
Like the XP5 Pro, I can't see much of a reason as to why the WinBook LM was made. It's another Pentium laptop, with similar specs and performance to the FX. It sold at a few hundred dollars lower than the FX, but that doesn't make much of a difference when the LM cost $3,000 and the FX cost $3,400, according to one print ad I found. Of course, both models could be configured in all sorts of ways which would change the price. The LM does have a lower RAM ceiling than the FX, and less options overall. The FX's highest end config beat the LM's highest end config, but the mid range (which is what most would be) is pretty similar. I do believe the LM had faster graphics than the FX, and WinBook did push the graphics in their advertising.
The LM is simply a rebadged Compal TS30G. Dell also sold the TS30G as the Latitude LM, which was released before the WinBook version, meaning that WinBook was the one who copied the name. DEC also sold the TS30G but in a case that looked quite different to the other two.
Design Variations
I've seen three different display bezel labeling schemes for these models. One (seen in the image on this page) displays the full WinBook LM name. I've seen another that had no text at all on the display bezel, then a third that just displays WinBook, with no LM label. I've seen the first two in eBay listings, but I've only seen that third one in a print ad, so I don't know whether any shipped that way.
Specifications
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| CPU | CPU Type: Soldered TCP Intel Pentium (some w/ MMX) @133 or 150MHz |
| Chipset | Unknown |
| RAM | Type: 2x EDO Slots Standard: Unknown Maximum: 40MB |
| Hard Disk | 2.5" IDE Uses proprietary adapter?: Yes Standard: Unknown |
| Display Options | 12.1" Active Matrix LCD @800x600 |
| Graphics Chipset | NeoMagic MagicGraph 128 (NM2070) VRAM: 896KB |
| Audio | ESS AudioDrive 1688 |
| Main Battery | Lithium Ion |
| CMOS Battery | VL1220 Lithium (Soldered) |
| Power Supply | Proprietary 3-pin Connector - P/N TSA-8 |
| Disk Drives | Modular Bay supporting the following: - 3.5" 1.44MB Floppy Drive - CD-ROM Drive - 2nd Battery |
| PC Cards | 2x PCMCIA Slots |
| Networking | Modem (Optional) |
| Other I/O | - 1x Parallel - 1x Serial - 1x VGA Out - 1x PS/2 - 1x Dock Connector - 1x Mic In - 1x Line Out |
| BIOS | Phoenix |
| Pointing Device | Trackpad |
Resources
 Drivers |
 User Manual |
Archived Support Pages |
|---|
Common Faults & Maintenance
Brittle Plastic
The WinBook LM's plastic is very brittle and will form stress cracks around the display hinge area with use. Epoxy will likely be required to reinforce these areas when cracks form.
Display Problems
Many WinBook LMs will show a sort of pixel damage around the edges of the screen. The affected pixels still work but the subpixels seem to be acting up which makes colors appear uneven, especially on dark backgrounds. I'm told the affected LCDs are made by IBM, and that LMs with Toshiba displays don't develop this. I believe this issue is caused by an age-related defect that makes the IBM panels extremely sensitive to pressure, causing damage.
Gallery
I currently have no images of a WinBook LM. If you own one and would like to send in photos, see here.
I do have some print ads which are shown below.
Page last updated (MM/DD/YYYY): 11/03/2024
Update Reason: page converted to php
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