WinBook XP5 Pro
The WinBook XP5 Pro is a Pentium-based laptop, released in December 1996.
Despite the confusing naming, the WinBook XP5 and XP5 Pro are not even slightly alike. They use completely different designs, and were made by two different companies (ASE for the XP5, Quanta for the XP5 Pro). The XP5 Pro is actually more of a lower-end sister system to the high-end FX (also made by Quanta). The FX released a few months earlier in May. Early FX print ads show it next to the original XP5, with the XP5 Pro showing up slightly later.
The XP5 Pro shares a very similar design to the FX, and I believe the two share some parts as well. The modular bay is the same between the two, but both the battery bay and the modular bay are located at the front on the XP5 Pro, while the modular bay opening is on the right side on the FX. This and other shared design elements (such as the batteries) actually make me suspect that the XP5 Pro's ODM design may have actually been the basis for Apple's PowerBook 1400, which was a heavily modified Quanta design. At the very least, it's the closest match I've seen, and the timeline matches up.
Back on topic, here's a list of the main differences as compared to the FX:
- Different base design, but both are similar.
- XP5 Pro had a passive matrix display option, the FX didn't.
- The XP5 Pro has a smaller battery.
- Less CPU and CD-ROM speed options (but both do have the Pentium 166 as the fastest option).
- Different sound hardware
- Generally speaking, XP5 Pro prices were lower than FX ones.
Really, looking at the differences, if you have the pick between a high-end XP5 Pro with a TFT screen and an FX with comparable specs, there really isn't much reason to go with one over the other. I do believe the FX has a slightly better hinge mount design though.
Specifications
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| CPU Options | Intel Pentium (some with MMX) @133MHz (3.1v), 150MHz (2.5v), or 166MHz (2.5v) |
| Chipset | Intel Mobile Triton |
| RAM | 8MB soldered - Up to 72MB EDO - 2 Proprietary slots - FX and XP5 Pro use the same RAM. |
| Hard Disk | - IDE 2.5" - 810MB, 1.0GB, 1.3GB (Standard) - Shipped with drives from Hitachi and Toshiba |
| Display Options | - 12.1 Passive Matrix LCD @800x600 - 11.3" Active Matrix LCD @800x600 - 12.1" Active Matrix LCD @800x600 |
| Graphics Chipset | - Cirrus Logic GD7548 - 1MB VRAM |
| Audio | ESS AudioDrive 1888 |
| Main Battery | Lithium Ion, 8-cell, 14.4V, 2600mAH, Sanyo 18650 cells |
| CMOS Battery | Unknown |
| Power Supply | - Barrel Jack - 19V 2.3A |
| Disk Drives | WinBook FX/XP5 Pro Modular Bay - Supports CD-ROM, 3.5" 1.44MB Floppy, or 2nd Battery |
| PC Cards | - 2x PCMCIA Slots (2x Type I/II, 1x Type III) - Cirrus Logic PD 6730 Controller |
| Networking | None built-in |
| I/O (Other) | - 1x Parallel - 1x Serial - 1x VGA Out - 1x Dock Connector - 1x PS/2 - 1x Infrared - 1x Line In - 1x Mic In - 1x Line Out |
| BIOS | Phoenix |
| Pointing Device | - TrackPoint (Standard) - Optional Trackpad |
| FCC ID | HFSMQX |
Resources
 Drivers |
 User Manual |
Archived Support Pages |
|---|
Common Faults & Maintenance
I don't have a whole lot of info here, but I can point out a few things I've noticed.
Hinge Problems
The XP5 Pro's hinges are pretty darn solid compared to many laptops of the same era, but I have seen a few on ebay that had stress cracks around the exposed hinge mounting screws on the base of the unit, on the back. I'm not sure if this is actually a structurally compromising failure or not (it may not be), but it's something to watch out for.
CMOS/Suspend Battery Leaks?
The FX does have a VARTA battery inside acting as a suspend/hibernate battery - I've confirmed this much as I own one. On the FX, it's placed far away from most critical components, except for the left speaker, which is probably doomed if one leaks bad enough. Being so similar, there's a fair chance that the XP5 Pro has one in the same place (under the left side palmrest, to the right of the speaker). I'm unable to confirm this as I don't own one.
Gallery
Note: I don't believe any shipping units had the model badge on the screen bezel. If any did, I haven't seen one yet.
Yes, this is the same as the last one. I found two versions. The first one isn't very sharp, and this one is. However, as you can tell, it's wrinkled and yellowed.
Page last updated (MM/DD/YYYY): 09/05/2024
Update Reason: pages consolidated
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