WinBook XP5
The WinBook XP5 is a Pentium-based laptop, released in October 1995. It shared largely the same external design as the 486-based WinBook XP. Besides the newer processors, the XP5 also had improved LCD options, updated graphics, and more. Like the XP, the XP5 was manufactured for WinBook by ASE Technologies in Taiwan (The model number ANL-5 on the bottom label on the XP5 comes from ASE). However, unlike later WinBooks, the XP5 is an original design.
The specsheet has a reference to an "XP5 Plus" that had a different video chip than the regular XP5. As far as I know, no XP5s are labelled as an "XP5 Plus", but there were two separate model numbers - ANL-5 and ANL-5P. I suspect the ANL-5P is probably the XP5 Plus.
Specifications
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| CPU | CPU Type: Socket 5 Intel Pentium @75, 90, 100, 120, or 133MHz |
| Chipset | ACC Micro |
| RAM | Type: WinBook XP5 Proprietary Standard: 8 or 16MB Maximum: 32MB |
| Hard Disk | 2.5" IDE Uses proprietary adapter?: Yes Standard: 540MB, 810MB, 1.0GB, 1.3GB, 1.4GB, or 2.0GB |
| Display Options | 10.3" Passive Matrix Color @640x480 - 10.4" Active Matrix Color @640x480 - 10.4" Active Matrix Color @800x600 - 11.3" Active Matrix Color @800x600 |
| Graphics Chipset | Chips & Technologies 65545 or 65548 VRAM: 1MB |
| Audio | ESS AudioDrive 1688 (Optional) |
| Main Battery | - NiMH (10-cell, Sanyo or Varta) - Lithium Ion (9-cell, Sanyo) |
| CMOS Battery | Varta 3-cell NiMH (Soldered) |
| Power Supply | Barrel Jack - 19V 1.85A - Delta Electronics ADP-38BB A |
| Disk Drives | 3.5" 1.44MB Floppy Drive - Citizen W1D |
| PC Cards | 2x PCMCIA Slots - Vadem 469 Controller |
| Networking | Optional Modem - 14.4 (Askey) - 33.6 (GVC) |
| Other I/O | - 1x Parallel - 1x Serial - 1x VGA Out - 1x PS/2 - 1x Dock Connector - 1x Line In - 1x Line Out |
| BIOS | Phoenix |
| Pointing Device | - TrackPoint (Standard) - Trackball (Optional, Logitech) - TrackPad (Optional, ALPS) |
Resources
 Drivers |
 User Manual |
Read Me First |
Questions & Answers |
Archived Support Pages | Older FAQ |
|---|
Common Faults & Maintenance
The ravages of time have unfortunately gotten to these laptops pretty well. The vast majority will no longer start due to a leaky CMOS battery, and ones that may still work will be falling victim to hinge issues and failing floppy drives.
CMOS Battery Leaks
Like so many 90s laptops did, the XP5 used a VARTA NiMH battery pack as the clock battery. These have a practical 100% leak rate at this point, and the WinBook XP5's battery is soldered directly onto the motherboard, right next to the CPU. Because of this, nearly every WinBook XP5 laptop will end up being completely wrecked by this battery, and very few working examples likely survive today. If you own one that boots, get the battery out now! If yours is damaged, you can try your luck at cleaning the corrosion and repairing damaged traces and other components. For many though, it's likely too late.
CMOS Battery Required
The XP5 will not reliably boot without a working CMOS battery installed. Without one, it will fail to POST and throw a 1-1-3 beep code (CMOS RAM read/write failure) most of the time.
Brittle Plastics and Hinge Issues
The WinBook XP5 series laptops are far from immune to the issue of brittle ABS plastic, and poor hinge mounting design. The plastic around the hinges on the XP5 will crumble on every single unit if the hinges are used. From looking at the mounting design, I can't see a way to prevent this from happening with any kind of reinforcement. I have elected to leave mine open at all times.
Floppy Drive Failure
The XP5's floppy drive is the Citizen W1D. These drives have a belt in them that always goes bad. Replacement belts are available on eBay.
Other Issues
Like any other laptop from its time, the XP5 is affected by vinegar syndrome on the LCD.
Gallery
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Page last updated (MM/DD/YYYY): 12/17/2024
Update Reason: added new documentation
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