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 Options	Intel Pentium @75, 90, 100, 120, or 133MHz
RAM	- up to 32MB - 1 Proprietary slot - WinBook XP RAM uses a different connector and will not work in an XP5.
Hard Disk	IDE 2.5" - 540MB, 810MB, 1.0GB, 1.3GB, 1.4GB, or 2.0GB (Standard) - Shipped with drives from Hitachi and Toshiba
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 - 1MB VRAM
Audio	ESS AudioDrive 1688 (Optional) - Stereo Speakers - Microphone
Main Battery	- NiMH (10-cell, Sanyo or Varta) - Lithium Ion (9-cell, Sanyo)
CMOS Battery	VARTA 3-cell NiMH, soldered to the motherboard
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 (2x Type II/1x Type III) - Vadem 469 Chipset
Networking	Modem, 14.4 (Askey) or 33.6 (GVC)
I/O (Other)	- 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) - Optional Trackball (Logitech) - Optional Trackpad (ALPS)
FCC ID	JRUANL-5

Resources

Drivers	User Manual	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.

WinBook XP5

Specifications

Resources

Common Faults & Maintenance

CMOS Battery Leaks

CMOS Battery Required

Brittle Plastics and Hinge Issues

Floppy Drive Failure

Other Issues

Gallery

The Laptop

Dock

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